Expats warned as Italy makes major law change for people seeking citizenship ()

logo
GB News Travel
· 1 day ago
Expats warned as Italy makes major law change for people seeking citizenship

<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52515149%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3DsnwHtUaSrEy" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p class="">Italy has tightened its citizenship laws, restricting automatic citizenship by descent for people who do not have a parent or grandparent born in Italy.</p><p>The change announced by the Italian government aims to prevent abuse of the system that previously allowed citizenship claims based on ancestry dating back to 1861.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the previous rules were being exploited, with consulates abroad overwhelmed by passport requests.</p><p>Italian passports are highly prized as they provide visa-free entry to more countries than almost any other nationality.</p><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Italian river" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2a5ffeb3f2a522e66f151f120c7fc432" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="cc7e5" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/italian-river.jpg?id=50401132&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-latest"></div><p>Under the previous system, anyone who could prove they had an Italian ancestor alive after March 17, 1861, when the Kingdom of Italy was created, could seek citizenship.</p><p>The foreign ministry reported that this led to a surge in people abroad being granted citizenship, particularly in South America.</p><p>Between 2014 and 2024, the number of Italians living abroad rose by 40 per cent, from 4.6 million to 6.4 million, many registering due to their newfound nationality.</p><p>In Argentina alone, citizenship recognitions jumped to 30,000 in 2024 from 20,000 in 2023.</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-dontmiss"></div><p>Antonio Tajani said: "We are striking down very hard against those who want to make money from the opportunity of becoming an Italian citizen.</p><p>"Being an Italian citizen is a serious thing. It's not a game to get a passport that allows you to go shopping in Miami."</p><p>Rafael Cintron from the YouTube channel Wealthy Expat explained the new "strict" criteria to qualify for Italian citizenship by descent.</p><p>Rafael said: "A parent or grandparent of yours has to be born in Italy. Or your parents were living in Italy when you were born.</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-mostread"></div><p><strong>LATEST DEVELOPMENTS</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/travel/expat-spain-different-shock-meals-slang" target="_self">Expat in Spain shares 'unexpected shocks' living there - 'completely different to what I'm used to'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/travel/expat-south-of-france-huge-appeal" target="_self">'I love it': Expat in the south of France shares the huge appeal of moving abroad</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/travel/expat-spain-problems-climate-culture-pests-language-barrier" target="_self">Travel expert shares problems expats face when moving to Spain: 'The reality is not picture perfect'</a></li></ul><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Sicily, Italy" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="66000e9a22bf19de41b40a391188b8c1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="7d816" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/sicily-italy.jpg?id=50401115&width=980"/><p>"The last criterion is a recent official recognition. For example, you were recognised by the Italian embassy before March 27, 2025."</p><p>Critics of ancestry-based citizenship point out the contrast with children of migrants born and raised in Italy.</p><p>Despite speaking Italian fluently and living their entire lives in the country, these children must wait until they are 18 before being able to apply for a passport.</p><p>Another expat has said she <a href="'I was absolutely shocked': Expat warns of unexpected costs that come with living in Italy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"was absolutely shocked" by the unexpected costs that come with living in Italy.</a></p>

banner

Continue reading