On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the Budget Committee of the Chamber of Deputies in Italy began analyzing the 250 amendments selected for the 2025 Budget Law. Among the most controversial proposals is the increase in the fee for Italian citizenship applications carried out in the Italian courts.
Currently, the rate amount — unified contribution — is 545 euros (approximately R$3.500) per application. If the amendment is approved, the cost will be readjusted to 600 euros (approximately R$3.850) per applicant, applying individually, regardless of the number of people involved in the process.
Next Steps
The analysis of the amendments will be finalized by the Budget Committee by the end of this week, with the first votes scheduled for Thursday (12) and Friday (13). The final text should be taken to the plenary of the Chamber next week, before going to the Senate.
Government position is still uncertain
According to congressman Fabio Porta, a defender of the rights of Italian descendants, the outcome of this proposal is still uncertain. “It is difficult to predict the result. The government’s position will be decisive, but so far it is not clear whether there will be a veto or approval of some modifications to the budget law,” Porta told the website. Italianism.
Impact on Italian descendants
The possible increase in the citizenship rate could represent a significant challenge for many people of Italian descent, especially those who carry out group processes involving several people from the same family.
The debate over the readjustment is taking place at a time of broader discussions about the system for recognizing Italian citizenship based on the principle of... jus sanguinis, criticized in Italy for not establishing clear time limits.
Courts already feel the pressure
The fear of increased costs for Italian citizenship processes, scheduled to take effect on January 1st, has led thousands of applicants to submit their applications early. This movement is overwhelming courts and related services in both Italy and Brazil.
O Court of Venice, known for being the one that receives the most citizenship recognition processes in all of Italy, is already facing operational instabilities. Lawyers consulted by Italianism reported concerns about the high volume of cases that must be filed in the last days of 2024. The critical situation could further overload the system, putting at risk the ability to adequately process new cases.
In Brazil, the impact is also evident. The Notary JK, in Brasília — the largest in the country in processing apostilles — has already reached its maximum capacity.
In recent days, demand has practically doubled its usual operational capacity, leading the registry office to suspend new applications from today until December 31. This makes it even more difficult to prepare documents for those who still plan to file their citizenship applications this year.
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