Italy’s 2025 citizenship law introduced major new restrictions on Italian citizenship by descent, and constitutional challenges are now moving through the courts, with hearings beginning in June 2026. Because Italian citizenship also confers EU citizenship, the restrictions introduced by Law 74/2025 may also raise issues under European Union law, including before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
The legal framework is also continuing to tighten. In the explanatory report accompanying the 2025 decree, the Government made clear that these restrictions were adopted pending a broader reform of Italy’s citizenship laws. That process has already continued with Law 11/2026, which introduced additional procedural limits for applications filed through consulates, including annual caps and longer processing timelines. Further legislative changes may still follow.
With several legal avenues still open, applicants affected by the new law should not assume that waiting is the safer option. For many families, starting a judicial case now remains the clearest path forward before further procedural barriers take effect in Italian citizenship by descent cases.
Our legal team assesses each case individually and advises clients with complete transparency about the legal risks, timing, and available strategies.
Why waiting may be risky
Waiting may not be the safer option because the legal framework is still evolving. Constitutional challenges are pending, issues under EU law may still arise, and further legislative restrictions may follow. For many families, starting a judicial case now is the clearest way to move forward before additional procedural barriers take effect.
Why judicial action remains the clearest path for Italian citizenship by descent
For many applicants affected by the 2025 restrictions, judicial action remains the most direct way to move forward while the legal framework is still being tested. It allows families to act while constitutional and potential EU-law questions are still unresolved, rather than waiting for future reforms that may introduce additional limits.
Assess your legal options
Our team can assess whether judicial action may still be available in your case and explain the legal risks, timing, and available strategies with full transparency.
By Avv. Salvatore Aprigliano
Aprigliano Law Firm
Updated April 2026