The Government of Italy has promulgated the law that amends the rules for granting citizenship to foreigners and affects about 32 million Brazilians who have Italian descent, according to the Italian embassy estimated in Brazil. The law was published in the Italian Official Gazette on Friday (23).
The modifications were not imposed by a decree-law of the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, published on March 28 and which immediately came into force, but needed to be approved by Parliament and promulgated within 90 days, at risk of losing validity.
The process in Parliament ended on Tuesday (20) when-the previous week. With the promulgation, the process is closed.
The new rules are valid for those who filed a citizenship recognition after March 28. Those who entered before this date follows with the previous rules in force.
that for two generations of descendants (children and grandchildren) of Italians, contrary to what happened before, when any generation could request recognition.
It will also be necessary that the descendant has no other nationality, which excludes the Italo-Brazilian, who can no longer pass their citizenship.
An alternative for those who have dual nationality pass citizenship to their children (valid only to parents, not to grandparents), according to the text, is to live legally for at least two continuous years in Italy after acquiring citizenship and before the birth of their child.
This alternative, however, is unfeasible for those who did not live in Italy before having their children.
For minors, the process of citizenship recognition is simpler. If parents are Italian born outside Italy, they must declare the desire to acquire their child’s citizenship within a year of their birth or adoption.
If this is not done, the minor who lives for two continuous years in the European country can also request citizenship.
A transition rule was established for the children of minor Italians on the date on which the decree is converted into law: the declaration of the willingness of citizenship may be made until May 31, 2026 for descendants up to 18 years old, provided that one parent is already Italian or filed until March 27, 2025.
