Italy: citizenship by descent after the 2025 reform — which ancestors' documents still make sense

For years a client had planned to obtain Italian citizenship through her great-grandfather, who emigrated from Italy in the early 20th century. In 2025 she came to us to translate the old parish records — and we had to begin not with the translation but with the news. In March 2025 Italy adopted a decree, later converted into law, that significantly restricted the transmission of citizenship by descent.

What changed

Under the new rules, for people born abroad who hold another citizenship, the right to citizenship by blood generally remains if a parent or grandparent born in Italy was an Italian citizen — subject to additional conditions. Lines through great-grandparents and more distant ancestors are effectively closed for new applications. Applications filed before the changes took effect continue to follow the old rules. Details and exceptions are best checked with an Italian lawyer — practice is still taking shape.

Documents needed if the right is preserved

The Italian part: the ancestor's birth record from the Italian comune. The Russian part: birth certificates for each generation down to the applicant, marriage certificates and, where names changed, name change documents. It is also verified that the ancestor did not give up Italian citizenship before the next generation was born — this may require documents on naturalisation or its absence.

Apostille and translation

Russian documents are apostilled. Italian translations must be certified: Italian consulates often accept translations certified at the consulate or sworn at an Italian court (traduzione asseverata). Some consulates also require an apostille on the translation — the "double apostille" case. Check the requirements of the consulate or comune where you apply.

What to do if the reform affects you

If the direct line is now closed, other grounds remain — citizenship by marriage or by residence in Italy, for example. Before spending money searching for a great-grandfather's records, consult a lawyer specialising in Italian law. In such cases we start with translating the documents needed for the new ground.