Monday, 16 March 2026
Italian Constitutional Court rules on Law 74/2025: how to read the March 12, 2026 press release — and what comes next
What the Italian Constitutional Court decided on Law 74/2025 in 2026
On March 11, 2026, the Italian Constitutional Court held a hearing on the constitutional challenge filed by the Turin Court against Law 74/2025 — the so-called “Decreto Tajani.”
The law, passed in March 2025, significantly restricted the conditions under which Italian citizenship can be recognized by descent (jure sanguinis). In the following day, March 12, 2026, the Court’s Press Office published a press release. The full decision, with complete legal reasoning and binding operative part, has not yet been filed.
What “not well-founded” and “inadmissible” actually mean (Italian Constitutional Court Law 74/2025, jure sanguinis 2026)
The press release reports two distinct legal outcomes. The difference between them is critical for understanding what actually happened.
Not well-founded
“I looked at your argument and I disagree.”
Inadmissible
“We cannot answer this question as it was asked.”
In neither case has the Court said that Law 74/2025 is constitutional. It has decided that these specific arguments, framed in this specific way, did not succeed. That is a much narrower statement than many headlines are suggesting.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Is the constitutional challenge to Law 74/2025 still alive?
Yes. Two other Italian courts have filed independent constitutional challenges on different and broader grounds. The outcome of the Turin hearing does not determine the outcome of either of these cases.
June 9, 2026
Date TBD
Why the Constitutional Court held separate hearings — and why it matters
The Italian Constitutional Court does not hold separate hearings on identical cases. On January 14, 2026, it had already scheduled the Mantova hearing for June 9. Before March 11 session, it had already decided not to move the Turin case to the same date — precisely because it had determined that whatever it decided on Turin would not resolve the Mantova questions.
That procedural choice is the Court’s own signal that these are two legally distinct cases. The June 9, 2026 hearing exists for a reason. It cannot be explained away by March 12 outcome.
Frequently asked questions about Law 74/2025 and the Constitutional Court ruling
Has the Italian Constitutional Court declared Law 74/2025 jure sanguinis in 2026 as constitutional?
What does “inadmissible” mean in an Italian constitutional challenge?
It means the Court did not examine the substance of the question because the challenge was procedurally defective. It is not a judgment on the content of the law — only on the form in which the question was brought before the Court.
When is the next hearing on Law 74/2025?
Does the Turin ruling affect the Mantova and Campobasso challenges?
When will the full written ruling on the Turin challenge be published?
Can I still apply for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis)?
Law 74/2025 remains in force. The restrictions it introduced continue to apply. However, the legal landscape may change depending on the outcome of the June 9, 2026 Mantova hearing and the pending Campobasso challenges. We strongly recommend consulting a qualified Italian citizenship attorney before taking any action.
What is Law 74/2025 (Decreto Tajani)?
This article is based on the Italian Constitutional Court press release dated March 12, 2026. It does not constitute legal advice. We will publish an update as soon as the full written ruling is filed.
Stay updated on Law 74/2025 and the jure sanguinis challenge: subscribe to our newsletter for legal updates, or check Aprigliano Law Firm if you have questions about your citizenship application.
Subscribe to our newsletter!