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New Legislation Surprises Descendants in Brazil and Cuts Rights for Great-Grandchildren and Following Generations
The government of Italy announced a significant reform in the process of recognizing Italian citizenship by descent, known as “jus sanguinis.” From now on, only children and grandchildren of Italians born in Italy will be able to apply for the right to nationality. The measure, which took effect on March 28, has a major impact in countries like Brazil, where millions of people descend from Italian immigrants and sought dual citizenship. The change was announced by outlets such as NSC Total, Reuters, and Exame, and is already generating reactions among experts and affected families.
Italian citizenship by descent has always been considered one of the most accessible among European nationalities, but that has changed. Now, recognition will only be allowed for direct children and grandchildren of Italian citizens. The new rule establishes a limit of two generations, ending the automatic right for great-grandchildren and other descendants. According to Reuters, the Italian government justified the change by the exponential increase in applications, which has overwhelmed consulates and registries both in the country and abroad.
Why The Change In Italian Citizenship Affects Brazil So Much
Brazil is the country with the highest number of descendants of Italians outside of Europe, with estimates suggesting that more than 30 million Brazilians have some Italian ancestor. Therefore, the new legislation directly impacts thousands of families who were in the process of gathering documents or scheduling interviews to recognize their Italian citizenship. According to NSC Total, many Brazilians who have been waiting for years in consular queues have now lost their rights due to an unexpected and immediate change.
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Who Can Still Apply For Italian Citizenship
With the new rules, only those who can prove a direct link as children or grandchildren of Italian citizens born in Italy will remain eligible for the recognition of Italian citizenship. Applications must be made with detailed documentation and within the new legal timeframe. As highlighted by Exame, descendants who already have an approved process or already possess Italian passports will not be affected. The cutoff applies only to new applications submitted after March 28, 2025.
Reactions And Criticisms To The Decision Of The Italian Government
The decision caused a strong reaction, particularly among descendant communities in the Americas. Many immigration law experts considered the abrupt and discriminatory change, since children of immigrants living in Italy must wait until they are 18 to apply for citizenship, while descendants from abroad previously had direct access. According to Reuters, the Italian government claims that the measure is administrative and aims to preserve internal public services, but critics see it as a severing of cultural and historical ties with the Italian diaspora.
What Happens To Pending Processes
Citizenship processes initiated before the change date will still be valid, as long as they have already been formally filed. Those who are in the midst of organizing documents or waiting for scheduling will have to restart based on the new requirements. As explained by NSC Total, the Italian government does not intend to reopen exceptions or create a transition period. For those who have been excluded, the only option remains to seek legal alternatives or recognize nationality through judicial means, which can be costly and time-consuming.
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