With the recent changes introduced by Law 74/2025 and the additional adjustments coming into force with the 2026 Budget Law, many families are understandably confused about how Italian citizenship (jure sanguinis) works for their children. 

Here’s a breakdown of the most common scenarios and what the law currently says in each case. 

I am a recognized citizen and I’m thinking of having children. Will they be Italians by birth? 

Not automatically. 

For children born abroad after 25 May 2025, Italian citizenship is no longer acquired automatically by birth (jure sanguinis). However, these children can still acquire Italian citizenship by benefit of the law, provided that at least one parent is an Italian citizen and a formal declaration of intent is submitted. 

What changes from 2026? 

As of 1 January 2026, the Budget Law introduces two important adjustments: 

• Parents will have up to three years from the child’s birth to submit the declaration of intent (instead of the previous one-year deadline). 

• Declarations submitted within this three-year window will be free of charge (the €250 fee to the Ministry of the Interior is eliminated). 

⚠️ These changes are not retroactive and apply only to declarations filed on or after 1 January 2026.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

I am a recognized citizen and I have underage children. Can they still be recognized?

Yes. For minors born before 25 May 2025, parents must submit a declaration of intent no later than 31 May 2029, following the extension introduced by the 2026 Milleproroghe law..     

Alternatively, minors may still acquire citizenship by legally residing in Italy for two years. 

I am a recognized citizen and I have adult children. Can they still be recognized? 

Yes, but not automatically. Children over the age of 18 must file their own independent citizenship application. They must: 

• Prove their Italian descent individually; 

• Meet the procedural requirements under the current law. 

If they no longer qualify under the new administrative criteria (for example, due to limitations related to parental or grandparental residence), judicial proceedings remain a strong and well-established alternative, with consistently positive case law.  

What’s the difference between “citizenship by benefit of the law” and “citizenship by birth”? Can this distinction be challenged?

Citizenship by birth (jure sanguinis) is acquired automatically by descent. It is permanent, retroactive, and does not depend on a discretionary decision by authorities. Citizenship by benefit of the law is acquired automatically by minors cohabiting with a parent who is recognized. However,it is not retroactive and does not offer exactly the same legal guarantees. 

Several legal scholars have raised concerns that this distinction creates unequal treatment between siblings or among members of the same family, potentially conflicting with constitutional principles of equality and legal certainty. It is increasingly likely that this issue will be brought before the Italian Constitutional Court in the near future.

 

What families should do next

Despite the new restrictions introduced in 2025 and the procedural adjustments effective in 2026, the rights of minor children remain legally protected, provided that families act within the applicable deadlines and follow a strategy consistent with their specific circumstances. 

Aprigliano International Law Firm assists families worldwide with Italian citizenship matters, including minor age issue, eligibility assessments, documentation review, and judicial proceedings when necessary. For tailored guidance on how the new rules apply to your circumstances, you may contact Aprigliano International Law Firm at info@apriglianos.com for a legal assessment.