Italy's updated citizenship by descent rules, which came into force on 28 March 2025, outline two categories of descendants who qualify for citizenship by ancestry. The rules apply to foreign nationals who already hold another nationality, including Canadian citizenship. According to the Italian Consulate General in Toronto, the new framework restricts recognition of citizenship by descent to two defined categories of applicants.
The first category covers first- or second-degree descendants of Italian citizens who held exclusively Italian citizenship at the time of the applicant's birth. The Italian ancestor must have held no other nationality at that point in time for this route to apply. This category provides a clear pathway for applicants who can prove their direct lineage to an Italian citizen.
The second category is open to applicants whose parent or adoptive parent lived in Italy for a minimum of two consecutive years after obtaining Italian citizenship and before the applicant was born or adopted. Applicants pursuing this route must submit historical residence and citizenship certificates to support their claim. This category offers an alternative for those who can demonstrate a connection to Italy through a parent's residency.
Both categories carry a critical condition: the possession of an Italian grandparent who held solely Italian citizenship does not, by itself, establish eligibility. The transmission line through the direct parent, either the father or mother, must be independently confirmed as unbroken before any application can be submitted. This requirement ensures that only those with a direct and unbroken connection to an Italian citizen can apply.
The revised rules impose a more rigorous standard than many people tracing Italian heritage may have anticipated, particularly those whose connection runs through a grandparent rather than a parent. Verifying the citizenship status of a first-degree ascendant introduces an additional layer of documentation into the process. Applicants must be prepared to provide detailed historical records to support their claim.
Applicants who believe they fall within one of the two eligible groups are required to compile historical records confirming the ancestor's citizenship and, where the second category applies, their period of residence in Italy. The consulate has not published a closing date for applications under these criteria, but the rules as stated govern all applications lodged from 28 March 2025 onwards.
The new rules are a significant development for individuals seeking Italian citizenship by ancestry. With the introduction of these categories, eligible applicants can now begin the process of compiling the necessary documentation to support their claim. The Italian Consulate General in Toronto has provided clarity on the requirements, which will help prospective applicants navigate the application process.
Key points
- The new rules require applicants to demonstrate a direct and unbroken connection to an Italian citizen.
- Two categories of descendants are eligible to apply for citizenship by ancestry: first- or second-degree descendants of Italian citizens who held exclusively Italian citizenship, and applicants whose parent or adoptive parent lived in Italy for a minimum of two consecutive years.
- Possession of an Italian grandparent who held solely Italian citizenship is not sufficient to establish eligibility on its own.
