The Latest Italian Citizenship Law Changes Explained ( by a citizenship lawyer).
Generational limits,
residency requirements & what it all means for you in 2026.
If you’ve been researching Italian citizenship lately, especially jure sanguinis (citizenship by descent), you’ve probably noticed one thing:
Everything feels more complicated than it used to be.
People who once qualified through great-grandparents are suddenly unsure. Others keep hearing about a “two-year rule” that nobody can explain the same way twice. And applicants are wondering whether they now must relocate to Italy to complete the process.
Let’s take a deep breath and clear this up.
Below is a simple, human, readable guide to the 2025 Italian citizenship reform: what actually changed, who is affected and how the new rules fit into the bigger picture of moving to Italy.
(Valentina is completely across all law changes, so if there’s something new to report, we’ll update you as soon as we can).
What Actually Changed in the Italian Citizenship Law in 2025?
The reform introduced one structural restriction and one practical shift in how citizenship is obtained.
Restriction of automatic citizenship by descent
For decades, Italy allowed people to claim citizenship through very distant ancestors; great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents and beyond, so long as citizenship had not been interrupted.
From 2025 onward, the law substantially limits the automatic recognition of Italian citizenship for individuals born abroad who possess another nationality, and automatic recognition is now mainly available where the Italian link is through
· a parent or
· a grandparent,
unless specific legal exceptions apply.
This is the biggest structural change and it affects thousands of people who previously assumed eligibility through a great-grandparent or beyond. It doesn’t mean older ancestry never qualifies anymore, it just means the automatic route is now narrower and some applicants fall into a more complex or conditional category.
Residency now determines eligibility in more cases
This is the second major change introduced by the 2025 reform. For some applicants, especially those without an exclusively Italian parent or grandparent line, residency in Italy has shifted from being optional to now involving:
validating that the Italian parent lived in Italy for a defined period before the birth of the next in line,
or
· in some cases, for the applicant to establish legal residency in Italy in order to apply for citizenship through a different legal pathway (such as acquisition by residence or a “beneficio di legge”)
What Does “Residency Requirement” Really Mean for Applicants?
Let’s be very clear, because this is where panic starts.
The new law does NOT say:
every applicant must live in Italy for two years
you must be physically in Italy before submitting anything
relocation is automatically required
What it DOES mean:
For some applicants, especially those without a parent or grandparent line, the process may now involve:
validating that the Italian ancestor lived in Italy for a defined period,
orshowing that you (the applicant) has established residency as part of the process.
In practice, this means:
Some people will not need to relocate
Some people will need residency in Italy to complete their pathway
Some will not qualify under the new rules
Some will still be eligible but need stronger documentation or legal framing
This is why case-by-case assessment is essential.
Note: If you apply in Italy for your Italian citizenship:
It’s often faster (especially in smaller southern towns, especially if you already have conditions for recognition)
Plus you must stay in Italy during the process
So, What Options Exist ?
Important: None of the visa pathways below were introduced by the 2025 citizenship reform.
They are existing immigration options that some applicants now rely on when automatic citizenship by descent is no longer available or advisable.
Elective Residency Visa (ERV)
Best for retirees or financially self-sufficient applicants
This is for people who want to live in Italy but not work here.
Requirements:
Proof of stable, passive income (pensions, investments, savings, rental income — not salary or self-employment income)
Valid long-term accommodation contract
Comprehensive health insurance
No work allowed in Italy or for Italian companies
Typical income requirement:
Around €31,000–€35,000 per year (varies by consulate)
Timeline:
2–6 months depending on consulate
Digital Nomad Visa (new and popular)
For remote workers with non-Italian employers/clients
This is the newest and most talked-about option, and I also got this one before I left – just in case there were any issues with my citizenship.
You may qualify if:
You work as an employee or self-employed professional
Your income comes from overseas, not Italy
You earn roughly €28k–€30k+ per year
You have proof of remote work
You are degree qualified (preferred) or you can show significant experience in your field (a lot harder to prove).
Timeline:
1–3 months for issuance
Student Visa
For courses, Italian language schools, universities, culinary programs, etc.
✔ You need:
Acceptance into a recognised program
Proof of funds
Accommodation
Health insurance
✔ Pros:
You can legally stay for the duration of your studies
Great for extended cultural immersion
✔ Cons:
Limited work rights
You must remain enrolled
You may need at least B1 Italian for university or academic programs
Work Visa (rare but possible)
Italy issues work visas through the annual Decreto Flussi quota.
You need:
An Italian employer who applies on your behalf
Approval from the Italian government
Contract + supporting documents
Pros:
Pathway to longer stays
Allows work legally in Italy
Cons:
Very competitive
Quotas are limited
Timing is strict
BONUS: Stays Under 90 Days
Non-EU citizens can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
What people don’t realise (the honest part)
Smaller towns make everything smoother
Consulates in big cities (Florence, Bologna, Milan, Rome) are overloaded.
Southern towns, like those in Salento, often have faster processing, friendlier offices, and less chaos.
You don’t need to have everything perfect before leaving your home country, but you should have an idea of what you’re planning to achieve and a plan b.
Some documents are simply easier to organise once you're here.
You should choose where to live based on your pathway
Citizenship by descent? → choose a supportive comune
Elective Residency? → need a lease before applying
Digital Nomad? → need proof of income + accommodation
Bureaucracy doesn’t have to be a nightmare
If you know the exact documents, scripts and steps, it becomes manageable.
(And that’s exactly why I work with Valentina — a lawyer who specialises in this — and why our clients feel so supported.)
Real Timelines (based on experience)
Citizenship by descent in Italy: typically 6–18 months, depending on the comune and complexity of the case
Elective Residency Visa: 2–6 months
Digital Nomad Visa: 1–3 months
Student Visa: 1–2 months
Work Visa: quota-dependent
So… which pathway is best for you?
That depends on your goals, background and lifestyle.
This is why we start with a Clarity Call, where we figure out:
Which pathways you might qualify for
How long the process will take and how it suits your situation
What documents you need to gather and certify
What can be done before leaving your home country
Ready to plan your move to Italy the smart way?
If you’re thinking seriously about a move to Italy, it helps to look at the whole picture — not just the legal pathway, but what day-to-day life here actually involves.
I work with English speakers who are exploring realistic ways to live in Italy, offering guidance from the planning stage through to settling into life here. If you’d like to talk things through, you can learn more about legal and relocation support with a 30-minute clarity call.