Yes, you can get Italian citizenship through grandparents using a new legal pathway called the “Grandparent Route.” This breakthrough approach allows you to claim Italian citizenship even if your parent naturalized as a foreign citizen, as long as your Italian grandparent never acquired another citizenship.

The Grandparent Route has expanded eligibility for a lot of Americans and other descendants who were previously told they didn’t qualify. Following recent judicial interpretations and policy discussions surrounding Article 3-bis of Law 91/1992, a legal avenue — informally known as the ‘Grandparent Route’ — is gaining recognition in certain Italian courts.

The “Grandparent Route”: what it is and why it matters

Article 3-bis of Law No. 91/1992 introduced an important update to Italian citizenship law in 2025. It presumes that individuals born abroad with another citizenship did not automatically acquire Italian citizenship at birth, unless they fall under specific exceptions. While this rule clarifies who qualifies, it also opens new opportunities for descendants of Italian citizens. However, Italy’s citizenship law now limits claims to two generations, only allowing recognition through an Italian parent or grandparent.

One of these key exceptions allows recognition of citizenship by descent through a parent or grandparent who held only Italian citizenship during their life or at the time of death. This wording creates two independent pathways to citizenship. If either your parent or grandparent retained Italian citizenship, your claim may be valid under jure sanguinis principles.

The Grandparent Route lets applicants bypass a generation when a parent’s naturalization would otherwise block eligibility. If your parent became a foreign citizen before you were born, you can still qualify by anchoring your claim to your grandparent who maintained Italian citizenship. Courts in Italy have increasingly accepted this interpretation, making it a strong legal basis for recognition.

The law uses “or” (parent or grandparent), which means one of them is enough.

Italian statutory text: «… un ascendente di primo o di secondo grado possiede, o possedeva al momento della morte, esclusivamente la cittadinanza italiana.»

Translation: “…an ascendant of the first or second degree possesses, or possessed at the time of death, exclusively Italian citizenship.”

The Grandparent Route is generally pursued through court petitions rather than consular applications. Courts have greater authority to interpret complex family histories and apply the law flexibly. This judicial process has successfully resolved many cases that consulates could not approve under older interpretations.

 

Eligibility requirements for Italian citizenship through grandparents

You must prove an uninterrupted Italian ancestry to your grandparents. This means showing a direct family line with proper documentation. You would likely need: 

1. Your birth certificate & parent’s birth certificate (if parent was born abroad).
2. Grandparent negative naturalization certificate – required if they emigrated (not necessary if they always lived in Italy).

Additionally, all documents must be apostilled and translated into Italian by a translator approved by your local Italian consulate. 

Final thoughts on the Grandparent Route

The Grandparent Route represents a significant legal development for Italian descent worldwide. This legal pathway has restored citizenship opportunities to countless family members who thought their chances were lost forever. 

Don’t assume you’re ineligible based on outdated information. New legal interpretations and court precedents may apply to your situation. The first step is getting a professional evaluation of your family’s specific circumstances. Italian citizenship opens doors to living, working, and studying throughout the European Union. It connects you to your heritage while providing practical benefits for your future. Italy allows dual citizenship, so you are not required to renounce your American citizenship. The Grandparent Route might be exactly what you need to reclaim your Italian citizenship.

Ready to reclaim your Italian heritage?

Don’t navigate the complex world of Italian citizenship law alone. Aprigliano International Law Firm is Italy’s leading expert in jure sanguinis citizenship cases, including the groundbreaking Grandparent Route.

Our comprehensive Italian citizenship services include:

• Italian Citizenship jure sanguinis (by descent) – including the latest March 2025 updates
• Italian Citizenship jure sanguinis through maternal line court cases
• Italian Citizenship by marriage and residence
• Re-acquisition of Italian citizenship
• Expert court petition representation

New legal developments and changing interpretations make professional guidance more important than ever. Our team stays current with the latest Italian court decisions and legal precedents to maximize your chances of success.

Contact Aprigliano International Law Firm for a confidential consultation and discover if the Grandparent Route or other citizenship pathways apply to your unique situation.