Italy tightens rules for citizenship by descent — new requirements
Italy, a country with a rich history of emigration, is known for its strict citizenship laws. In recent years, the number of requests to restore citizenship by descent has increased significantly, prompting the government to review the existing rules. The new restrictions are aimed at tightening documentary requirements and proof of descent, reflecting a global trend towards greater control over migration in order to ensure social and economic stability.
Major reforms
- New conditions for proof of descent — According to the current law, to obtain citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis), an applicant must prove his or her family ties to Italian ancestors. However, the new rules introduce additional documentary requirements: greater emphasis on the authentication of archival records, proof of ancestral citizenship in specific historical periods, ensuring the legal validity of documents. These changes will complicate the application process and require applicants to be more thorough in preparing and collecting evidence.
- Tightening of documentary requirements — the new procedure gives officials expanded powers to verify submitted documents. In addition to birth and marriage certificates of ancestors, applicants will have to provide evidence of their continuous connection with Italy, such as: tax history, places of residence, other legally relevant factors. These requirements are intended to prevent cases of fraud and to ensure that citizenship is granted only to those who are truly entitled to it by descent.
- Reduction in recognition of citizenship due to historical migrations — special attention is paid to the descendants of Italian emigrants living outside Italy for several generations. The government is considering excluding from the system those who cannot provide sufficient evidence of their ties to Italian culture and territory. This change may affect a significant number of potential applicants, especially from countries in South and North America, where there is a large Italian diaspora.
- Periodic reviews of citizenship — the Italian authorities plan to introduce regular checks on the citizenship granted. Those found to have provided false information or violated Italian laws may face the revocation of their citizenship. This measure is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the system and preventing abuse.
The citizenship reform in Italy reflects the general trend of tightening immigration policies in Europe. However, unlike countries such as France and Portugal, where the main changes concern naturalization after a certain period of residence, Italy focuses on citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis). By comparing its regulations with neighboring countries such as Germany and Cyprus, the Italian government aims to reduce the “unjustified influx of citizens” and bring its policy into line with pan-European standards.
Implications of the innovations
The new rules for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent may have far-reaching consequences for emigrants and their descendants:
- Complicating the legalization process — collecting the required documents and going through bureaucratic procedures will become more difficult and time-consuming, especially for residents of countries outside the European Union.
- Reduction in the number of applications — a significant reduction in the number of applications for citizenship by descent is expected due to the tightening of requirements and the exclusion of certain categories of potential applicants.
- Impact on the administrative system — a reduction in the number of applications may reduce the workload of the Italian immigration service, allowing for a more efficient processing of the remaining requests.
- Cultural and social impact — restricting access to Italian citizenship for descendants of emigrants may affect their connection to their historical homeland and their participation in the life of the Italian diaspora.
Finally, we note that the tightening of the rules for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent is part of a global trend towards greater control over migration. New requirements for documentation, proof of origin and periodic checks are aimed at ensuring the integrity of the system and granting citizenship only to those who have a legal right to it. While these changes may create additional difficulties for descendants of Italian emigrants seeking citizenship, they also reflect Italy’s desire to better manage migration flows and preserve its national identity in a changing world.
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