Italian citizenship by ancestry eligibility test

What is the Italian citizenship by ancestry program?

The Italian citizenship by ancestry program allows individuals with Italian heritage to claim Italian citizenship through their bloodline. Based on jus sanguinis (right of blood), Italian nationality transmits from parent to child. Under Law 74/2025 effective May 24, 2025, applicants can now claim through parents or grandparents born in Italy, with the ancestor holding exclusively Italian citizenship. This represents a significant change from previous law that allowed unlimited generational claims.

Can I get Italian citizenship if my grandmother was Italian?

Yes, you can obtain Italian citizenship through your Italian grandmother if she was born in Italy and held exclusively Italian citizenship. Under the 2025 law, grandparent claims are permitted if your grandmother was an Italian citizen born in Italy or if she held only Italian citizenship at the time of your parent's birth or her death, whichever came first. The 1948 rule still applies: if claiming through a maternal line, your parent must have been born after January 1, 1948.

How many generations back can you claim Italian citizenship?

Under Italy's Law 74/2025 effective May 24, 2025, citizenship claims are limited to two generations: parents or grandparents. Great-grandparent claims are no longer permitted for applications filed after March 27, 2025. Your Italian ancestor must have been born in Italy or held exclusively Italian citizenship and must have been alive after March 17, 1861, when Italy became a unified nation. This marks a dramatic shift from previous law that had no generational limits.

Can I claim Italian citizenship through ancestry using Harvey Law Group's assessment tool?

Yes, Harvey Law Group offers a free eligibility assessment tool for Italian citizenship by ancestry. The tool evaluates your Italian heritage and documentation to determine if you qualify under the 2025 law changes. Once completed, an Italian citizenship lawyer from Harvey Law Group reviews your case and contacts you to discuss eligibility and guide you through the complex application process, including navigating the new requirements for online applications and mandatory Italy interviews.

What are the basic requirements for Italian citizenship by ancestry?

Basic requirements include proving you have an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy who held exclusively Italian citizenship. You must provide authenticated birth certificates, marriage certificates, and naturalization records for all generations. Your Italian ancestor must not have naturalized as a foreign citizen before your parent's birth. According to Italian Law 74/2025, no Italian language proficiency or Italian residency required for citizenship by descent, though marriage-based and naturalization pathways have different requirements.

How to get Italian citizenship through ancestry?

First, gather documentation proving Italian ancestry including birth certificates from Italy, marriage certificates, death certificates, and naturalization records. Have documents translated by certified Italian translators and obtain apostille certification. Applications submitted after March 27, 2025 must be filed online through Italy's system, with in-person interviews required in Italy. Processing takes 6-24 months depending on complexity. Harvey Law Group guides clients through each step under the new regulations.

If my parents are Italian citizens can I obtain Italian citizenship?

Yes, if at least one parent was an Italian citizen when you were born, you automatically possess Italian citizenship regardless of birthplace. Children under 18 can be recognized immediately if their parent declares intent to acquire citizenship within one year of birth. You don't apply for citizenship, you prove it by obtaining official recognition through the Italian consulate or comune. This automatic transmission applies even if you were born outside Italy.

Can I get European citizenship through great-grandparents in Italy?

No, under Law 74/2025 effective May 24, 2025, Italian citizenship through great-grandparents is no longer permitted for new applications. The new law limits claims to parents or grandparents only. If you submitted your application or secured an appointment before March 27, 2025, your case will be processed under the previous law allowing great-grandparent claims. This change has significantly restricted access for many Italian descendants, particularly in South America.

Does Italy allow dual citizenship with the US?

Yes, Italy has allowed dual citizenship with the United States since 1992. Italian law doesn't require renouncing American citizenship when acquiring Italian nationality through descent. The US also recognizes dual citizenship. You can hold both Italian and American passports simultaneously with full rights in both countries and throughout the European Union. This applies to citizenship acquired through descent, marriage, or naturalization.

What are the drawbacks of Italian dual citizenship?

Potential drawbacks include tax obligations in both countries as dual citizens must report worldwide income to both IRS and Italian tax authorities (Agenzia delle Entrate), though US-Italy tax treaties prevent double taxation. Under 2025 regulations, citizens who don't renew passports, vote, or pay taxes risk losing citizenship. Some travel complications may arise regarding passport usage. Financial reporting requirements can be complex. However, benefits like EU mobility, healthcare access, and visa-free travel typically outweigh these considerations for most dual citizens.

What countries does the US not allow dual citizenship with?

The United States has no prohibited dual citizenship list. US law recognizes that American citizens may possess multiple citizenships without requiring nationality choice. While some countries prohibit their citizens from holding dual nationality, Italy is not among them—both Italy and the US fully permit dual citizenship since Italy's 1992 law change. This means Italian-American dual nationals face no legal conflicts from either government.

What countries allow US citizens to get dual citizenship?

Italy permits US citizens to obtain dual citizenship through ancestry, marriage, or naturalization. Other countries allowing dual citizenship include UK, Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Poland, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and Brazil. The key consideration is whether the other country permits dual nationality, as the US recognizes it without restrictions. Italy's 1992 dual citizenship law makes it an attractive EU citizenship option for Americans with Italian heritage.

Who qualifies for an Italian passport?

All Italian citizens qualify for Italian passports, whether citizenship was acquired by birth, descent, naturalization, or marriage. Under 2025 law, if you have an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy who held exclusively Italian citizenship, you may qualify after establishing your claim. Once Italian citizenship is confirmed through official recognition, passport application is straightforward through Italian consulates or in Italy. Italian passports rank among the world's most powerful for international travel.

What is the 1948 rule for Italian citizenship?

The 1948 rule states that Italian women could not transmit citizenship to children born before January 1, 1948. For descendants claiming through a maternal line where the mother gave birth before this date, citizenship cannot be claimed through standard consular applications. These cases require judicial appeals directly in Italian civil courts to obtain citizenship recognition, as the restriction was later deemed unconstitutional. This adds complexity and cost to maternal line claims for pre-1948 births.

What documents do I need to apply for Italian citizenship by ancestry?

Required documents include your birth certificate, parents' and Italian ancestors' birth certificates from Italy, all relevant marriage certificates, death certificates, and crucially, naturalization documents or proof of non-naturalization for your Italian ancestor. All foreign documents need certified Italian translation and apostille certification. Valid identification, current residence proof, and completed online application forms also required under 2025 regulations. Harvey Law Group provides comprehensive guidance on obtaining documents from Italian comuni.

Italian Citizenship by Ancestry Checklist

Complete checklist includes: (1) Your original birth certificate with apostille; (2) Italian ancestor's birth certificate from Italian comune; (3) Parents' birth certificates; (4) All relevant marriage certificates through lineage; (5) Death certificates if applicable; (6) Italian ancestor's naturalization certificate or non-naturalization proof; (7) Certified Italian translations of all documents; (8) Valid passport; (9) Current residence proof; (10) Online application forms through Italy's system; (11) Proof ancestor held exclusively Italian citizenship. Applications after March 27, 2025 require in-person Italy interviews. Working with Harvey Law Group ensures complete documentation compliance.

What are the benefits of obtaining Italian Citizenship by Ancestry?

Benefits include unrestricted living, working, and studying rights across all 27 EU member states, access to Italy's healthcare and education systems, visa-free travel to 190+ countries with one of the world's most powerful passports, ability to pass citizenship to future generations, voting rights in Italian and EU elections, property ownership rights in Italy, and consular protection worldwide. You maintain US citizenship while enjoying full Italian and EU privileges. Italian citizenship opens doors throughout Europe for residence, employment, and education.

Who is eligible to apply for Italian Citizenship by Ancestry?

Under Law 74/2025 effective May 24, 2025, you're eligible if you have an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy who held exclusively Italian citizenship. Your Italian ancestor must not have naturalized as a foreign citizen before your parent's birth. Eligibility doesn't require Italian language skills or Italian residency for descent-based claims. Applications filed before March 27, 2025 follow previous law allowing great-grandparent claims. Harvey Law Group assesses cases under both old and new regulations to determine the best path forward.

How does the Italian Citizenship by Ancestry application process look like?

The process involves: (1) Determining eligibility under 2025 law; (2) Gathering required documentation from Italy and US with translations; (3) Obtaining apostille certifications; (4) Submitting online application through Italy's system for applications after March 27, 2025; (5) Attending mandatory in-person interview in Italy; (6) Receiving citizenship recognition; (7) Applying for Italian passport. Timeline ranges 6-24 months depending on complexity and consulate workload. Harvey Law Group manages the entire process including coordination of Italy interviews.

What is the usual processing time for the Italian citizenship by ancestry program?

Processing time ranges from 6 to 24 months depending on case complexity and documentation completeness. Simple parent-to-child cases may process faster, while grandparent-based claims with complex documentation can take longer. Under 2025 regulations requiring online applications and Italy interviews, processing times vary significantly. Applications filed before March 27, 2025 under old rules may have different timelines than new applications. Properly prepared applications minimize delays.

Do I need to travel or reside in Italy as part of the application process?

Under 2025 regulations, applications submitted after March 27, 2025 require applicants to appear in Italy for mandatory face-to-face interviews. Previously, most applications were processed through Italian consulates in your country of residence without Italy travel. You don't need to reside in Italy for citizenship by descent, but the new law requires in-person appearance for the interview process. This represents a significant change from the previous consular application system.

Do I need to provide proof of Italian language knowledge during the application process?

No, citizenship by descent requires no Italian language proficiency, cultural knowledge, or history exams. Unlike naturalization or citizenship by marriage (which requires B1 level Italian), descent-based citizenship relies solely on proving Italian ancestry and bloodline. The Italian government recognizes you possess Italian nationality through hereditary right, so integration requirements don't apply to jus sanguinis claims. This makes descent-based citizenship more accessible than naturalization pathways.

Is dual citizenship allowed in Italy?

Yes, Italy has fully allowed dual citizenship since 1992 without restrictions. Italian law permits citizens to hold multiple nationalities simultaneously. Acquiring Italian citizenship by ancestry doesn't require renouncing current citizenship. You can maintain both Italian citizenship (with EU living and working rights) and your existing nationality with legal recognition in both countries. Italy recognizes multiple citizenship without requiring renunciation, making it an attractive option for Americans with Italian heritage.

Are there any medical requirements for the Italian citizenship by ancestry program?

No, there are no medical requirements or health examinations for citizenship by descent. The application focuses entirely on documentation establishing Italian lineage and bloodline. Unlike immigration visas requiring health screenings, citizenship by ancestry recognizes your existing entitlement to Italian nationality through jus sanguinis, making medical evaluations unnecessary for descent-based claims. The process is purely documentary and genealogical.

What is Italy birthright citizenship?

Italy birthright citizenship (jus soli) is highly restrictive. Children born in Italy don't automatically become Italian citizens simply by birth location. Italy primarily uses jus sanguinis (right of blood), transmitting citizenship through Italian parents. Children born in Italy to foreign parents may apply for citizenship after turning 18 only if they resided legally and continuously in Italy since birth and apply between their 18th and 19th birthday. Citizenship by ancestry is based on jus sanguinis bloodline regardless of birthplace, which is why descent-based claims are possible for those born outside Italy.

What changed in Italy's citizenship law in 2025?

Law 74/2025, effective May 24, 2025, dramatically restricted Italian citizenship by descent. The law limits claims to parents or grandparents only—great-grandparent claims are no longer permitted. Italian ancestors must have held exclusively Italian citizenship. Applications now require online submission and in-person Italy interviews. Applications or appointments secured before March 27, 2025 are processed under previous law. The reform aims to require more direct connections to Italy and reduce what the government characterized as exploitation of citizenship by descent by those with limited Italian connection.