Those interested in acquiring Italian citizenship for themselves or their children might already be aware of the changes that have taken place in the process during the past year. There are now stricter rules around applications for jure sanguinis citizenship, and even citizenship for minor children. However, promising changes came about with the new year regarding the latter. In the below article, we talk about how minors acquire Italian citizenship and how the rules have changed recently.
How minors acquire Italian citizenship
There are a couple distinctions to be made. Minors born in Italy to non-Italian parents are not automatically Italian, but if they have continually and legally resided in Italy, then they can apply for Italian citizenship for one year upon turning 18. The rules laid out in this article does not affect such persons. It does, however, concern children born abroad to Italian parents, or at least one parent who is Italian. It has been, and still is, the case that such children can be recognized as Italian citizens, provided that their birth certificate is registered in Italy. The timing of when this can be done, though, has changed.
The Tajani Decree and changes to Italian citizenship by descent
On May 20, 2025, the Tajani Decree was officially voted into law, altering the rules for Italian citizenship by descent. Whereas before, the rules were flexible and allowed for a vast majority of those with Italian ancestry to claim citizenship, now only those with an Italian parent or grandparent can do so.
It is also important to note that those who filed an application prior to the Tajani Decree, or received a notification of an appointment before March 27, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Rome time, will be processed under the old rules.
The old rules
Prior to the Tajani Decree, Italian parents to a child born abroad could register the child’s birth certificate in Italy any time before the child turned 18 in order to claim their Italian citizenship. If above 18, the child could make an application for citizenship jure sanguinis. Regardless, the child would be recognized as an Italian since birth. The Tajani Decree changed both the timeline for this process and the way in which citizenship is recognized.
How minors are registered after the Tajani Decree
The first change to come for the registration of minor child is the time in which it must be done. Following the Tajani Decree, registration of the child’s birth certificate had to be done within one year of birth or adoption. If the child is older, then following registration he or she must reside in Italy for at least two consecutive years. The exception to the latter is if the parents register the birth certificate before May 31, 2026. If the child turns 18 before that date, he or she can submit the declaration themselves.
The second significant change is that in this process, the child is considered to have citizenship by “benefit of the law,” as in, from the moment of registration than from birth. A €250 fee was also introduced.
How minors are registered as of January 1, 2026
The 2026 Budget Law, however, provided a promising alteration to the above regarding the registration of minor children. As of January 1, 2026, parents now have a three-year window in which to register the child’s birth certificate for Italian citizenship instead of one. The €250 fee was dropped as well. These changes will only apply to applications made after January 1st. Also, children born before May 24, 2025 still need to be registered before May 31, 2026 and pay the €250 fee.
Registration can be done with the Vital Statistics clerk at your local consulate, or at your local comune if you reside in Italy.
Conclusion
Italian Citizenship Assistance is well-prepared to answer any questions you might have about the registration process, other Italian citizenship-related questions, or visas and relocation concerns. You can contact them at [email protected] or visit them online at www.italiancitizenshipassistance.com.
