Many people wonder: “Can I get Italian citizenship if my grandfather was naturalized abroad?” The answer depends on when your grandfather became a citizen of another country. If he naturalized before your parent was born, it typically breaks the citizenship chain. This is because Italian citizenship is often passed through citizenship by descent, and the timing of when your ancestor naturalized is crucial for eligibility. However, if he naturalized after your parent’s birth, you may still qualify. 

The timing of naturalization has a major impact on outcomes in Italian citizenship law. The parent’s birth and child’s birth dates in relation to when the ancestor naturalized are key factors in determining whether you qualify for Italian citizenship. If your ancestor naturalized after their children were born, you may still be able to claim citizenship. Recent changes in 2025 have made the rules stricter, but understanding these timing rules can still open the door to your Italian passport. Let’s break down exactly what you need to know. Claiming citizenship by descent relies on the legal principle of jure sanguinis, so it’s important to understand how these rules apply to your family’s history.

Understanding citizenship jure sanguinis

Jure Sanguinis is the principle of acquiring citizenship through bloodline. This is also known as Italian citizenship by descent, and you may qualify for Italian citizenship if you have an Italian parent who maintained their citizenship at the time of your birth. The principle is enshrined in Italian law, which favors those of Italian descent.

Italian citizenship jure sanguinis can be claimed by individuals born abroad. You just need to prove your Italian ancestry with proper documentation. The process involves submitting an application to your local Italian consulate along with supporting documents. To qualify for Italian citizenship by descent, you must demonstrate an unbroken line from your Italian parent or ancestor, proven through official records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates that establish the family line.

Proving Italian ancestry and ancestor status

To claim Italian citizenship, you must provide documentation to prove your Italian ancestry. This includes birth records from Italy that permit to trace your lineage  through your  Italian born ancestors. 

It is important to document the lineage through both male and female ancestors, depending on your specific case. These documents help prove the unbroken chain of citizenship from your Italian ancestor to you and can be obtained through Italian national archives or Italian municipalities.

Apply for Italian citizenship and next steps

To apply for Italian citizenship, you must submit an application to your local Italian consulate. Alternatively, they may rely on a law firm to initiate a court petition in Italy, a process that is generally more efficient and ensures continuous progression of the case. The process to obtain Italian citizenship through the Consulate may involve claiming citizenship by descent, and many applicants work with immigration services to ensure proper documentation and eligibility. Each adult applicant must schedule an individual appointment to submit their application; group appointments are not allowed – unlike the court petition process, where joint applications can be filed together without the personal presence of the applicants.

Supporting documents must accompany your application package.

The complexity of your case determines the timeline. Delays in processing applications can occur due to missing documents or consulate backlogs; thorough preparation can help mitigate this.

However, consulates often require 2–3 years just to schedule an appointment, if available, followed by an additional 3 years to process citizenship applications, resulting in a total wait time of about 5 to 7 years. By contrast, a court petition bypasses these issues entirely: proceedings are significantly faster and more predictable, typically lasting between 12 and 24 months

Once approved, you will be granted Italian citizenship and issued an Italian passport. You’ll also need to register with Italian authorities and obtain a fiscal code. You may become eligible for certain benefits, such as healthcare and education, in Italy. After receiving recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, applicants must register their citizenship with the competent Municipalities.

Recent 2025 law changes

Italy’s new citizenship law (Law 74/2025) has changed eligibility rules significantly. Italian citizenship is now only automatically recognized for those who can trace ancestry to a parent or grandparent born in Italy. Changes in citizenship laws, including updates to naturalization and descent requirements, directly affect who is eligible for Italian citizenship by descent. If your closest Italian-born ancestor is a great-grandparent or earlier, you are no longer automatically eligible through the Consulate.

These changes make timing even more critical for your application. If your case was already in process before March 28, 2025, you may still qualify under the old rules. Also, you may reacquire Italian citizenship only if it was lost before 1992. Eligible individuals must submit a declaration of reacquisition at the Italian consulate no later than December 31, 2027.

Conclusion and final thoughts

Obtaining Italian citizenship can be complex and time-consuming, but it provides numerous benefits and opportunities. You should carefully review the application process and requirements to ensure eligibility. The Italian government has specific rules regarding citizenship eligibility, and you must meet these requirements. 

Italian citizenship provides a connection to your Italian heritage and culture. It also grants access to benefits and opportunities throughout the European Union. Consider seeking advice from a professional Italian citizenship expert like Aprigliano International Law Firm to ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.

To check if you qualify, you can use our eligibility test. If you have further questions or need personalized guidance, contact us directly for expert assistance.