New Italian Citizenship Law Impacts Millions of Descendants Worldwide

Italy's Constitutional Court has upheld a controversial law that restricts citizenship rights for descendants of Italian emigrants. This ruling, which supports a law enacted in March 2022, limits citizenship to those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy, effectively denying many the right to claim Italian citizenship. The decision affects millions, particularly those in the diaspora who have long relied on the principle of 'ius sanguinis' or citizenship by descent. The ruling is expected to complicate and prolong the citizenship application process for many, with costs and bureaucratic hurdles that can take years to navigate. A detailed verdict from the court is anticipated in the coming weeks.

Key Details: • New law limits citizenship to those with Italian parent or grandparent. • Citizenship applications can take years and cost up to €300 per document. • Consulates are overwhelmed with requests, leading to wait times of up to 10 years. • Women could not pass on citizenship until 1948, affecting many descendants. • The court's detailed ruling is expected to be published soon.