Many Americans with Italian ancestry are asking the same question in 2026: Is Italian citizenship by descent still possible after the 2025 Decree?
The short answer is yes. And a recent court win achieved by Aprigliano Law Firm confirms it.

On February 2, 2026, the Court of Campobasso issued a post-Decree ruling recognizing Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. The decision came in only five months, even under the new legal framework introduced in 2025. This ruling provides clear guidance for U.S. applicants who are uncertain about their options after the Decree.

Italian citizenship after the 2025 Decree: why this case matters

After the 2025 Decree, many applicants believed that Italian citizenship cases were effectively frozen. Others assumed that court proceedings would take years. However, this case proves otherwise. Aprigliano Law Firm successfully handled a judicial petition after the Decree, obtaining full recognition of Italian citizenship by descent in a remarkably short timeframe. For Americans facing multi-year consular backlogs, this result is particularly significant.

Judicial path vs. Consular path after the Italian citizenship Decree 2025

The Court of Campobasso addressed a reality that U.S. applicants know well. Access to the consular channel is often impractical. Appointment systems are overloaded, waiting lists are long, and timelines are unpredictable. For this reason, the court confirmed that judicial action remains fully legitimate, even after the Decree. As a result, it assessed the citizenship requirements directly, without requiring completion of the administrative process. This distinction is critical for Americans seeking certainty rather than indefinite waiting.

Legal standards applied by the Court

The court relied on consolidated Italian Supreme Court case law. It reaffirmed two core principles that remain valid after the Decree:

• applicants must prove the acquisition of Italian citizenship by descent;

• they must demonstrate an uninterrupted line of transmission, with no loss of citizenship.

In this case, the court accepted the legal strategy and documentation prepared by us, finding the evidence sufficient to confirm a direct and continuous line of descent.

A key concern for many applicants is whether courts still recognize jure sanguinis claims under the amended law. In this ruling, the Court of Campobasso applied Article 3-bis of Law no. 91/1992, as modified by the 2025 Decree. It verified that the statutory conditions were met, particularly regarding the ancestor’s citizenship and the continuity of transmission. The outcome was decisive. Even after the Decree, Italian citizenship by descent can still be granted by the courts.

A post-Decree Court decision in only five months

One element sets this case apart. From the filing of the judicial petition to the publication of the ruling, the entire process took approximately five months. This is unusually fast, especially in a post-Decree environment. Many Americans assume that court cases are slower than consular procedures. In practice, this case shows the opposite. When a petition is properly structured and supported by a strong legal framework, judicial recognition can be faster and more predictable than the consular route.

What the Court ordered

With its decision dated February 2, 2026, the Court of Campobasso:

• declared the applicants entitled to Italian citizenship jure sanguinis;

• ordered the competent authorities to complete all civil registry registrations;

• offset legal costs, given the nature of the case and the lack of opposition.

 

Why this victory matters

This post-Decree ruling sends a clear message to the applicants: Italian citizenship is still attainable after the 2025 Decree. Court petitions remain a powerful and lawful solution. So, with the right legal strategy, recognition can be achieved quickly. This Campobasso court win secured by Aprigliano Law Firm confirms that judicial protection remains one of the most effective paths to Italian citizenship by descent.

Considering Italian Citizenship after the Decree?

If you have Italian ancestry and are unsure whether your case still qualifies after the Decree, a legal evaluation is essential. Aprigliano Law Firm assists clients with citizenship cases, from legal assessment to court representation.