Demand for second citizenship continues to rise as individuals look for long-term security, improved global mobility, and broader future planning options. For those with qualifying heritage, Italian citizenship by descent offers a legitimate route to Italian nationality based on family lineage rather than residence or investment.
For many applicants, citizenship by descent, also known as jure sanguinis, offers one of the most established and structured routes to Italian citizenship.
Foreign nationals with an Italian parent or grandparent may already qualify without realising it. Italian citizenship through ancestry is potentially available to those whose family history includes emigration from Italy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Unlike investment or residence based immigration pathways, Italian citizenship by descent generally does not require taking a language test, relocating to Italy or investing in Italy.
Why Consider Italian Citizenship?
Obtaining a second citizenship is usually part of a broader long-term strategy. For individuals and families, it offers many advantages such as risk management, and the need for greater international flexibility.
In today’s unpredictable political environment, changing immigration policies, and increasing mobility restrictions, having access to an additional nationality can offer security and stability. It allows families to respond more easily to economic changes and protect long-term personal, professional, and generational interests.
For those with an Italian parent or grandparent, Italian citizenship by descent can offer a direct and legal option for a second passport. Unlike naturalisation routes, it does not require relocation to Italy or integration through residence. Eligibility is based on lineage, with citizenship passing from one generation to the next.
A Citizenship from One of Europe’s Major Economies
By obtaining Italian citizenship, you acquire nationality in one of the European Union’s largest economies and a G7 member state with a long-established legal and democratic system.
For many applicants, Italian citizenship is not about replacing their existing nationality or making an immediate lifestyle change. It is about creating an additional option. It is about having an element of flexibility in a time when political and economic conditions in many parts of the world are becoming less predictable.
With constantly shifting government policies, changing tax regimes, and rising geopolitical tensions, a second citizenship offers a valuable fallback option. It provides families with lawful access to an alternative jurisdiction should circumstances require relocation, business restructuring, or educational planning.
For many high-net-worth individuals, holding more than one nationality is already integrated into long-term planning, much like diversifying investments across different markets or regions.
Full European Union Rights
Italian citizenship automatically grants holders European Union (EU) citizenship. This offers far more than visa-free travel.
An Italian citizen has the legal right to live, work, and establish residence in Italy and across all EU Member States without requiring visas or work permits. They are not subject to short-term visitor limitations such as the 90-days-in-180-days rule that applies to non-EU nationals.
No Residency Requirement Through Descent
Most naturalisation pathways in Europe require years of physical residence and proof of language proficiency. Italian citizenship by descent operates differently.
If you qualify under the principle of jure sanguinis, citizenship is recognised based on ancestry rather than residence. There is no requirement to move to Italy before applying.
For eligible applicants, recognition of Italian citizenship by descent can often be completed within a structured timeframe, subject to consular processing and documentation.
Generational Protection and Continuity
One of the most important advantages of Italian citizenship is its ability to pass from one generation to the next if the ancestor of concern is within 2 generations from the applicant.
Children of an Italian citizen may acquire Italian nationality at birth, often alongside their other citizenship. This grants them lifelong access to Italy and the EU, including the right to live, work, and study across EU Member States.
Who is Eligible for Italian Citizenship by Descent?
Typically, under Italian law, a child born outside of Italy to an Italian parent is recognised as an Italian citizen by birth only if at least one of the following conditions is met:
- At the time of birth, child is eligible solely for Italian citizenship, meaning he/she does not hold nor is entitled to acquire any other citizenship;
- At the time of birth, the child’s Italian parent or grandparent held only Italian citizenship, held only Italian citizenship at the time of death; or
- The Italian parent had been resident in Italy for at least two continuous years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before child’s birth.
Additionally, applicants must be able to demonstrate an unbroken line of citizenship from an Italian-born ancestor to the applicant.
The closer the generational link, the more straightforward the eligibility requirements tend to be. However, careful document preparation is required, particularly where naturalisation, name changes, or historical records are involved.
Important Considerations for Female Ancestors
Italian citizenship law historically restricted transmission through the maternal line. Italian women could not pass citizenship to their children before 1 January 1948. If you were born before that date to an Italian mother, we recommend pursuing citizenship through the Italian courts rather than via consular channels.
If you are unsure how these rules affect your eligibility, the team at Harvey Law Group can review your family history and advise you on the most appropriate next steps.
Find out if you are eligible for the Italian CBA here
Italian Citizenship by Descent Application Process
Italian citizenship by descent, or jure sanguinis, is a structured, document-based legal process. Processing times vary depending on the consulate and the complexity of the case, but complete applications that meet all legal requirements are typically processed within approximately 24 months.
Below is an overview of the main steps involved:
Step 1: Eligibility Review and Document Planning
The first step is to confirm the applicant’s eligibility by determining whether they have a qualifying Italian ancestor.
This includes reviewing:
- The Italian ancestor’s place of birth
- Whether any ancestor naturalised in another country
- Whether citizenship was ever lost or renounced
- Whether maternal-line restrictions apply
- Whether recent legislative amendments introduce additional conditions
At this stage, applicants identify which civil records they already hold and which must still be obtained. Where important ancestral details are missing, genealogical research may be required to secure historical records.
Careful preparation at this stage helps prevent delays later in the process.
Step 2: Document Collection and Legalisation
Italian citizenship by descent applications require documentary evidence to be provided by the applicant. Applicants must provide complete civil status records for each generation in the direct line to prove their Italian lineage. Examples of the required documents include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce records, where applicable
- Death certificates
Additional documents may be required to demonstrate that Italian citizenship of the Italian ancestor was never lost or renounced before the next generation is born.
All foreign-issued documents must be properly legalised, typically through legalization or apostille certification, and officially translated into Italian where required.
Because the process is technical, any inconsistencies in names, dates, or civil status details should be addressed before submission.
Determining which documents are required is fairly straightforward; however, it is important to ensure that applicants are eligible and have the correct documents that have been sourced, formatted or prepared correctly.
This is why it is advisable to have a lawyer who is an expert in immigration law, such as Harvey Law Group assist you in your application. Lawyers can liaise with the Italian authorities and prepare the documentation required for a compliant application.
Step 3: Booking the Appointment and Submitting the Application
Those applying for Italian citizenship through the Italian consulate must book an appointment with the consulate to support submission of their citizenship by descent applications.
Once the appointment is booked, the applicant can attend the consulate on the scheduled date and submit the complete application package.
Government fees are payable upon submission and are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome. If the application is complete and compliant with legal requirements, it will be accepted for processing.
Step 4: Consular Review and Processing
Once the application has been received, the consulate will then review the application to verify the following:
- The continuity of the citizenship line
- The absence of any loss or renunciation of citizenship
- Compliance with historical and current Italian citizenship law
Most cases are assessed based solely on documentation. If clarification or additional documents are required, the consulate will contact the applicant.
Applications that meet all requirements and have no issues are generally issued a positive decision within approximately 24 months, although timelines can also vary due to changes in Italian authority’s processing capacity.
Step 5: Registration and Passport Application
Once citizenship has been formally recognised, the applicant’s birth is registered in Italy. The applicant may then apply for an Italian passport and Italian identity documentation where applicable
Professional Support
Italian citizenship by descent is a detailed and historically complex process. Naturalisation issues, pre-1948 maternal lines, and recent legislative amendments can have a significant effect on eligibility.
Harvey Law Group provides structured legal assessment, document review, and full coordination of Italian citizenship by descent applications. Each case is evaluated individually to confirm eligibility, address potential risks, and present a complete and compliant application.
If you believe you may qualify through an Italian parent or grandparent, a formal eligibility consultation can clarify your position and outline the appropriate next steps.
Harvey Law Group: Italian Citizenship by Descent Services
Harvey Law Group is an international immigration law firm founded in 1992, with more than 34 years of experience advising clients on citizenship and residency matters worldwide.
For individuals considering applying for Italian citizenship by descent, we provide structured legal support from the initial eligibility review through to application for citizenship and the passport application.
Italian citizenship cases are highly document-based and often involve historical records, naturalisation analysis, and careful review of generational timelines. Many applicants begin the process with incomplete information, sometimes knowing only the name of an Italian ancestor or a general region of origin. In these situations, targeted genealogical research is often required to obtain the civil registry records needed to support the application.
Italian Document Procurement
With support from expert genealogists, Harvey Law Group assists clients in sourcing certified Italian civil records directly from the relevant Italian authorities. This includes:
- Italian birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Historical extracts from civil registries
- Confirmation of citizenship status
Where documentation is held outside Italy, we coordinate the legalisation process, including apostille certification where applicable, and oversee official Italian translations.
In more complex matters, particularly where records are missing or incomplete, we work with trusted genealogical partners in Italy who can conduct archive research at municipal and parish level. Our team also manages Italian language correspondence with local authorities, reducing delays caused by procedural errors or incomplete requests.
Application Structuring and Submission
Italian citizenship by descent applications must be carefully prepared to demonstrate an uninterrupted line of citizenship. This often includes reviewing:
- Whether any ancestor naturalised in another country
- Whether citizenship was lost under historical laws
- Whether maternal-line restrictions apply
- Whether recent legislative amendments affect eligibility
Harvey Law Group prepares complete application files in line with the current Italian legal standards and requirements.
Our experience across different jurisdictions allows us to anticipate procedural variations and address potential issues before submission.
Ongoing Monitoring and Authority Communication
Processing times for Italian citizenship applications vary depending on the consulate or authority involved. During this period, additional documentation or clarification may be requested.
Harvey Law Group monitors the progress of each application and can help prepare responses to requests for further information and address technical queries where necessary.
Given the legal and historical complexity of many Italian citizenship cases, ongoing file management is an important part of the process, and inadequate preparation can lead to significant delays or even rejection.
A Case-by-Case Approach
Italian citizenship by descent is a rights-based process, but eligibility depends on careful legal analysis and accurate documentation.
At Harvey Law Group, each case is assessed individually. During an initial consultation, we review your family history, identify potential legal considerations, and outline the appropriate next steps with a clear scope of work.
If you believe you may qualify for Italian citizenship by descent, our team can provide a structured Italian CBA eligibility assessment and guide you through the process with clarity and discretion.
