A Associate Trentini in Mondo harshly criticized the Decree-Law No. 36, of March 28, 2025, which restricts the right to Italian citizenship by descent (Iure Sanguinis). The organization claims that the measure ignores the historical role of Italians abroad and weakens cultural ties with their descendants.
“The provision presents aspects that raise doubts about its legal legitimacy, ignores the role of Italians abroad and, moreover, seems illogical. As it was formulated, it risks causing more harm than good to Italy and Italians,” the association states in an official note, published in Il Dolomiti newspaper.
The decree limits automatic recognition of citizenship to the second generation and requires proof of an “effective link” with Italy. For Trentini nel Mondo, the rule is legally fragile, difficult to enforce and harms both the country and its communities abroad.
The position was approved by the entity's Board of Directors on April 7. The association also criticizes the fact that the decree was issued before the Constitutional Court judgment, scheduled for June 24, on the legality of the article that guarantees citizenship by blood without generational limits.
Among the most controversial points is the requirement that Italians born outside the country must reside in Italy for two years in order to pass on citizenship to their children. The organization considers the rule to be inconsistent and exclusionary.
In Brazil, states such as Santa Catarina, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul are home to Trentino descendants and, in 2024, imported more than one billion euros worth of Italian products. The organization fears the definitive removal of these communities.
A Trentini in the World supports the UNAIE proposal for dialogue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It advocates maintaining automatic citizenship up to the third generation and objective criteria for subsequent generations, such as knowledge of Italian culture or patrimonial ties with the country. It also calls for greater rigor against document fraud.
About the entity
Founded in 1957, the Associate Trentini in Mondo provides support to Trentino migrants and their descendants. Since 2022, it has officially been part of the Italian Third Sector.
It is present in 26 countries with more than 200 volunteer circles, which promote Trentino identity and strengthen cultural ties with Italy. The network is coordinated by an elected board and a professional technical team.
Read the full official statement
The Associazione Trentini nel Mondo, by resolution of the Board of Directors meeting in Trento on April 7, 2025, expresses its regret and perplexity both for the content of Decree Law No. 36 of March 28, 2025, which introduces new and strict restrictions on the transmission of Italian citizenship by descent — in particular for those born abroad to Italian parents — and by the way in which it was presented. The provision, which modifies Law No. 5 of 1992 February 91, limits automatic citizenship to the second generation and imposes the need to prove an “effective link” with the Italian Republic. The Government decree is not limited to containing requests for recognition of citizenship Iure Sanguinis by those who have not yet requested it, but also makes it difficult to transmit citizenship Italian citizenship for those born abroad to Italian parents. This is a provision that Trentini nel Mondo considers unacceptable, as it presents aspects that raise doubts as to its legal legitimacy, ignores the role of Italians abroad and, moreover, seems illogical. As formulated, it risks causing more harm than good to Italy and Italians.
Legal legitimacy
The Italian Constitution (Article 77) provides that emergency decrees are only permitted in the presence of a real and proven need, which in this specific case does not appear to exist. The decree limits, with immediate effect, a fundamental right such as citizenship, introducing, in an unprecedented way, legal principles such as the “effective link”, which until now had never been considered in the Italian legal system on citizenship. The measure represents an unprecedented reform of the fundamental principles that shaped the Italian citizenship for generations. It is surprising and irritating that it was enacted before the session of the Constitutional Court, scheduled for June 24, which will examine the constitutionality of Article 1 of Law No. 5 of February 1992, 91 (“New rules on citizenship”), which grants citizenship Iure Sanguinis to the children of citizens residing abroad, without establishing any temporal or generational limit. It is also worth remembering that the Constitution does not impose any obligation of residence for the exercise of rights, but expressly recognizes the right to leave the territory of the Republic and to return to it (Article 16), as well as the freedom of emigration (Article 35).
Role of Italians abroad
The decree ignores the long tradition of respect and recognition that Italy has always shown towards its emigrants, who, through remittances sent from abroad, supported their families who remained in the country. The measure disregards the strength of the collective of Italians abroad, with negative consequences for our country and for political, cultural and commercial relations. For example, the states of Santa Catarina, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil — where a large community of Trentino origin lives — imported Made in Italy products worth more than one billion euros in 2024.
Illogicality
The decree also establishes that an Italian citizen born abroad may only pass on citizenship to his or her children if he or she has lived in Italy for at least two years before the birth of the children. To meet this requirement, the citizen would have to return to Italy for two years and then “re-emigrate” before the birth of the children. In other words, either he or she returns while the child is still a minor (presumably with the parents), or he or she returns temporarily to the country for two years during the child’s education. How many people can afford to pay for two years of university in Italy? It would have been more logical to abolish the principle of Ius Sanguinis altogether.
What benefits?
The most obvious consequence of the decree will be a significant reduction in the number of Italians living abroad, with the progressive cancellation of all descendants of Italians born outside Italy and, in perspective, the definitive separation of the communities of origin that, throughout the world, promote and cultivate effective and emotional ties with our country. The texts of the decree and the Government's bills, as they are formulated, ignore and devalue the values of Italianness in the world, where millions of our fellow citizens contribute daily to Italy's international reputation. Through them, the country is known, respected and loved on every continent, the Italian way of life is recognized and appreciated, our products are seen as synonymous with quality and well-being. The Associazione Trentini nel Mondo, active since 1957, bears witness to the indissoluble identity and cultural bond between the country of origin of ancestors and the place of residence of their descendants, evidenced by the work of circles and individuals who keep alive the relations between emigration communities and Italy.
What is requested
Trentini nel Mondo supports the request made by UNAIE (Unione Nazionale Associazioni di Immigrazione ed Emigrazione) for a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in order to discuss modifications during the processing of the decree in Parliament. In particular, it considers it essential that the right to automatic citizenship be recognized up to third-degree descendants, without the requirement of birth on Italian soil. For descendants beyond the third generation, recognition of citizenship Italian citizenship should depend on the existence of an “effective link” that is independent of residence — such as, for example, basic knowledge of Italian culture, possession of an Italian diploma even if obtained abroad, ownership of real estate or personal property in Italy or frequent stays in the country, even for periods of less than one year. It is also requested that control mechanisms be strengthened to prevent fraudulent recognition and that penalties for those who present false documentation be increased.
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