Thursday, 19 February 2026
March 11 vs April 14, 2026: understanding the two Italian Citizenship Hearings
There is ongoing confusion about two major court hearings scheduled in 2026 concerning Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis).
Many applicants assume they address the same issue.
They do not.
Although both hearings relate to Italian citizenship by descent, they involve:
- Two different Courts
- Two distinct legal questions
- Two separate potential consequences
This distinction is particularly important for applicants from the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries where Italian emigration historically occurred.
Why are there two hearings about Italian citizenship in 2026?
In early 2026, two high-level Italian courts will examine different legal matters:
- March 11, 2026 – Italian Constitutional Court
- April 14, 2026 – Italian Supreme Court (United Sections)
The proximity of the dates has generated confusion.
However, the subject of each hearing is legally independent.
March 11, 2026 – Constitutional Court Review
What is being examined?
The Constitutional Court will assess the constitutionality of the 2025 reform that introduced a generational limitation in Italian citizenship by descent cases.
In other words, the Court will determine whether the new legislative restriction complies with the Italian Constitution.
What is the 2025 generational reform?
The 2025 reform introduced limits on how far Italian citizenship may be transmitted across generations.
This is particularly relevant for families whose Italian ancestor emigrated several generations ago, as is common in North America and Australia.
Before the reform, citizenship by descent was generally recognized as:
- A status transmitted without generational expiration
- A right not extinguished by the passage of time alone
The Constitutional Court will now evaluate whether the newly introduced generational limit is legally valid.
What could be the consequences?
The Court may:
- Declare the reform unconstitutional
- Uphold the reform
- Provide a constitutional interpretation that limits its scope
Importantly, this hearing concerns the validity of the law itself.
April 14, 2026 – Supreme Court (United Sections)
What is the “Minor Age Issue”?
The April 14 hearing concerns a different legal question, commonly referred to as the minor age issue.
The central question is:
Does a parent’s naturalization as a foreign citizen, while their child was still a minor, interrupt the transmission of Italian citizenship?
This issue frequently arises in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where Italian immigrants naturalized after settlement.
Why is this issue controversial?
Italian courts have not been fully consistent in their interpretation.
Some decisions have concluded that:
- Naturalization of the parent during the child’s minority interrupts citizenship transmission.
Other rulings have held that:
- The child retains the right to recognition.
Because of these conflicting decisions, the Supreme Court (United Sections) has been asked to establish a uniform interpretative principle.
What is at stake?
Unlike the Constitutional Court hearing, this case does not evaluate a reform.
Instead, it aims to:
- Harmonize jurisprudence
- Resolve conflicting case law
- Provide legal clarity for lower courts
The outcome may significantly influence pending judicial citizenship applications involving ancestral naturalization.
Key differences between the two Hearings
| March 11, 2026 | April 14, 2026 |
| Constitutional Court | Supreme Court (United Sections) |
| Reviews constitutionality of 2025 reform | Reviews minor age naturalization issue |
| Concerns generational limits | Concerns interruption of transmission |
| Evaluates validity of legislation | Clarifies judicial interpretation |
They are legally independent proceedings.
They should not be conflated.
Why is there confusion internationally?
Several factors contribute:
- Both hearings concern jure sanguinis
- Both involve high-level courts
- Both occur within a short timeframe
- Online discussions often merge the two topics
However, from a legal perspective, they address separate frameworks.
Understanding this distinction is essential when evaluating your eligibility or litigation strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Are the March and April 2026 hearings about the same issue?
No. The March hearing concerns the constitutionality of the 2025 generational reform. The April hearing concerns the minor age issue.
Does the March 11 hearing affect all citizenship applicants?
It may affect those whose eligibility depends on generational transmission beyond the second generation introduced in 2025.
Does the April 14 hearing affect cases involving ancestral naturalization?
Yes. It addresses whether a parent’s naturalization while a child was a minor interrupts citizenship transmission.
Will these decisions automatically invalidate pending cases?
No. Each decision will require legal interpretation and case-specific application.