Thought you missed your chance to get Italian citizenship through your family history? It’s time for a second look. Right now, Italy is considering a new law that could make it easier for people with Italian roots to become citizens without having to move and reside in Italy. This is about reclaiming your identity as Italian-born national while respecting your life as you built it over many years in your country.

What is this about?

Proposals number 919 includes a provision which opens window a provision in Article 1 for opening a 4-year window of opportunity to submit applications for Italian citizenship. This allows individuals who lost their Italian citizenship before 1992 through naturalization to obtain it once again without moving to Italy. The discussion on this law started in the Italian Parliament in January 2024, and it’s expected to wrap up in a few months.

Source: Bill no. 919 presented in October 2023 by Senator Francesca La Marca

Moreover, there is an an even more exciting development for those seeking Italian citizenship. Bill no. 295, currently under discussion in the Italian Parliament, could open new doors for the children of Italian-born parents who lost their citizenship by becoming citizens of other countries before 1992.

This bill proposes that children of citizen fathrs or mothers who lost their Italian citizenship due to work abroad, even if born before January 1, 1948, can now reclaim their citizenship. To do so, applicants must submit a declaration to the mayor of their municipality of residence (if they reside in Italy) or the appropriate consular authority (if they reside abroad), along with suitable documentation proving their descent. This change could significantly broaden the scope for many seeking to reconnect with their Italian heritage.

Source: Bill no. 295 presented in November 2022 by Senator Francesca La Marca

For those who lost Italian citizenship:

Italian-born citizens who moved abroad and voluntarily acquired citizenship of another country before 1992 lost their Italian citizenship. They and their children born after are regarded as foreigners by Italy, despite speaking Italian and having Italian families. Since 1992, only the parents who were born in Italy have been able to reclaim Italian citizenship, but only if they return to live in Italy.

The new bills propose significant changes: the former Italian citizens (the parents) could regain their citizenship without needing to leave their lives in their current countries Bill no. 919). They must, however, submit their application within a 4-year window.

For the children of former Italian citizens:

Moreover, Bill no. 295 currently under discussion in the Italian Parliament, proposes that children of citizen fathers or mothers who lost their Italian citizenship due to work abroad, even if born before January 1, 1948, can now reclaim their citizenship.

How? They must submit a declaration to the mayor of their municipality of residence or the appropriate consular authority, along with suitable documentation proving their descent and how their parents obtained the citizenship of the country of residence.

This change could significantly broaden the scope for many seeking to reconnect with children’s Italian heritage at any age.

Who Does This Draft Law Affect?

According to the proposer, the former draft law – no. 919 – aims to address specific situations: it caters to Italian-born individuals who moved abroad and had to forfeit their Italian citizenship to fully integrate into their new country of residence. This is especially noteworthy as they would now have the opportunity to reacquire it without the need to move to Italy.

For instance, consider a man named Mario, who moved to the U.S. in 1965 for better job prospects and became an American citizen in 1971, renouncing his Italian citizenship in the process. Now he could have a chance to reclaim it through this new draft law. The same applies to women.

The latter proposal – Bill no. 295 – aims to help children of Italian-born parents who lost their Italian citizenship by becoming citizens of other countries before 1992. This bill is especially important for those whose parents lost their citizenship because they moved abroad for work, even if these children were born before January 1, 1948.

For instance, consider Josephine, the daughter of Mario, who was born in 1972 in the U.S. Because her father became an American citizen in 1971 and lost his Italian citizenship, she is currently not eligible to obtain an Italian passport. However, if Bill no. 295 will be approved by the Italian Parliament, she will be eligible again. She will have  the possibility to submit an application at the local Italian Consulate and get dual Italian citizenship.

What If This Bills Are not Approved?

Under the current Italian law, the Italian-born citizens who moved abroad and forfeited their Italian citizenship by naturalizing in another country (like Mario in the U.S.A.) can get their Italian citizenship back, but they have to move to Italy.  They can either

• Move to Italy and become Italian citizens automatically after 1 year of registered residence in any Italian municipality, OR
• Make a formal statement at the local Italian Consulate and move to Italy within 1 year time

This procedures are set by Article 13 of the Italian Nationality Act in force at present (see Section 1 under C and D).

Moreover, the children of parents (or grandparents) who were born in Italy and lost the Italian citizenship have an option to acquire Italian citizenship if they move to Italy and live there for 3 years.

This opportunity offers a more favorable condition compared to the standard 10-year residency usually required for obtaining Italian citizenship. It’s a special consideration for descendants of Italian-born citizens, as outlined in Article 9 of the Italian Nationality Act.

Practical Aspects for Potential Applicants

If you are one of those affected by the constraints of past legislation, this reopened window presents a meaningful opportunity.
As a child of a former Italian citizen – being it a mother or father –  you can get Italian citizenship if you declare to the Italian Consulate that you want it.
Once they accept your declaration, you will be regarded as an Italian citizen from the date of such declaration. As a consequence, if you had children before that date, they are not Italian citizens and can get citizenship only by residing in Italy for 3 years (Article 9 §1a of the Italian National Act currently in force). If you are married, your spouse will be able to apply for citizenship only after three years (or 1 year and a half, if you have children, Article 5 of the Italian National Act).

What Lies Ahead

It’s crucial to remember that these are still draft laws and not yet in force. However, their alignment with contemporary needs and the the fact that they are currently under discussion in the Italian Parliament make them worth watching closely. If enacted, they will mark significant steps in updating Italian citizenship laws, potentially benefiting a wide array of individuals who have been affected by previous legislative limitations.

You’re welcome to read my guide here and follow the progress of the discussions in the Italian Parliament on the amendments to citizenship laws: Italian Citizenship Law: Follow Ancestry Bill Updates

Do you want to know more?

Follow me for updates to keep abreast of any progress of the discussion and changes in Italian citizenship laws.