Updated Italian citizenship: see new rules and how Brazilians affect

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.

New law reaches many Brazilians from Italians. The previous norm did not impose a limit of generations, and even included descendants of the early days of Italian immigration to Brazil, which turned 150 in 2024. Anyone who could prove that he had an Italian ancestor alive after March 17, 1861, when the Kingdom of Italy was formed, was able to request citizenship.

*With information from DW and Estadão Content agencies