In a significant move impacting potentially millions seeking Italian citizenship through ancestry, the Italian Government has issued an urgent Decree-Law (Decreto-Legge) introducing substantial restrictions on the transmission of citizenship jure sanguinis (by right of blood) to individuals born and residing outside Italy. This action, sometimes discussed under the umbrella term “decreto tajani” due to the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Minister Tajani in its presentation and implications, represents a major policy shift.
The Decree-Law n. 36, dated March 28, 2025, was published in the Official Gazette (Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 73) on the same day and is therefore immediately effective. It aims to address the exponential growth in citizenship applications from abroad, often from individuals with distant Italian ancestry but lacking current, effective ties to the Republic. The government argues this is necessary to preserve the integrity of the concept of citizenship, manage administrative and judicial burdens, and address potential security concerns.
The core change introduced by the new Article 3-bis of Law 91/1992 is a presumption *against* the automatic acquisition of citizenship for those born abroad who hold another nationality. Citizenship will now only be transmitted automatically under specific, stricter conditions related to the birth or recent residency of parents or grandparents in Italy, or if an application was already formally submitted before the decree’s cut-off date (March 27, 2025).
Furthermore, the decree reverses the burden of proof in judicial proceedings, requiring applicants themselves to prove the *absence* of any disqualifying factors in their lineage, rather than the State proving their existence.
This Decree-Law must be converted into permanent law by the Italian Parliament within 60 days. The related Bill (Disegno di Legge n. 1432) has been presented to the Senate. While the decree, potentially referred to colloquially as “decreto tajani”, is active now, Parliament could potentially introduce amendments during the conversion process.
Here below, you will find:
- A full English translation of the operative articles of the Decree-Law n. 36/2025.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about these changes.
- Information on accessing the original Italian text.
- A contact form to get in touch for case evaluation.
DECREE-LAW 28 MARCH 2025, n. 36 – ENGLISH TRANSLATION
(Translation of the Preamble and Articles 1 & 2 from the text published in Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 73 del 28 marzo 2025)
Urgent provisions regarding citizenship.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
Having seen Articles 77 and 87, fifth paragraph, of the Constitution;
Having seen Law 23 August 1988, n. 400, laying down « Rules on the activity of the Government and the organisation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers » and, in particular, Article 15;
Having seen the Civil Code approved by Royal Decree 25 June 1865, n. 2358, and in particular Articles 4 to 15;
Having seen Law 13 June 1912, n. 555, laying down provisions « On Italian citizenship »;
Having seen Law 21 April 1983, n. 123, laying down « Provisions regarding citizenship »;
Having seen Law 5 February 1992, n. 91, laying down « New rules on citizenship »;
Having seen Legislative Decree 1 September 2011, n. 150, laying down « Supplementary provisions to the code of civil procedure concerning the reduction and simplification of civil cognitive proceedings, pursuant to Article 54 of Law 18 June 2009, n. 69 » and in particular Article 19-bis;
Considering that the provisions subsequently adopted regarding citizenship starting from national unification have hitherto been interpreted in the sense of granting persons born abroad a faculty to request the recognition of citizenship without any temporal or generational limit nor burdens of demonstrating the existence or maintenance of effective ties with the Republic;
Considering that such a regulatory framework determines the continuous and exponential growth of the pool of potential Italian citizens residing outside the national territory and who, also by reason of possessing one or more citizenships different from the Italian one, are predominantly linked to other States by profound bonds of culture, identity, and loyalty;
Considering that the possible absence of effective ties with the Republic on the part of a growing number of citizens, which could reach a consistency equal to or greater than the population resident in the national territory, constitutes a serious and current risk factor for national security and, by virtue of Italy’s membership in the European Union, of the other Member States thereof and of the Schengen Area;
Considering that, in application of the principle of proportionality, it is appropriate to provide for the maintenance of Italian and, consequently, European citizenship for persons born and resident abroad to whom the status of citizen has already been validly recognized;
Considering that it is appropriate to provide for the application of the pre-existing substantive regulations to judicial disputes and administrative proceedings initiated before the date of the deliberation of the Council of Ministers of the present decree;
Having therefore deemed the extraordinary necessity and urgency to introduce limitations in the automatic transmission of Italian citizenship to persons born and resident abroad, conditioning it on clear indicators of the existence of effective ties with the Republic;
Having therefore deemed the extraordinary necessity and urgency to operate a balancing between the principles referred to in Articles 1 and 3 of the Constitution, applying the aforementioned limitations to all future recognitions of Italian citizenship and avoiding the intrinsic unreasonableness of recognitions of Italian citizenship according to different criteria depending on a random factor not indicative of effective ties with the Republic, such as the birth of the applicants, instead of the effective exercise of rights or fulfillment of duties connected with the status of citizen;
Having deemed the extraordinary necessity and urgency to introduce measures to avoid, pending the approval of an organic reform of the provisions regarding citizenship, an exceptional and uncontrolled influx of applications for recognition of citizenship, such as to impede the ordinary functionality of consular offices abroad, of municipalities, and of judicial offices;
Having seen the deliberation of the Council of Ministers, adopted at the meeting of March 28, 2025;
On the proposal of the President of the Council of Ministers and of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and of the Interior, in concert with the Ministers of Justice and of Economy and Finance;
ISSUES
the following decree-law:
Article 1.
(Urgent provisions regarding citizenship)
1. In Law 5 February 1992, n. 91, after Article 3, the following is inserted:
« Art. 3-bis – 1. Notwithstanding Articles 1, 2, 3, 14, and 20 of the present law, Article 5 of Law 21 April 1983, n. 123, Articles 1, 2, 7, 10, 12, and 19 of Law 13 June 1912, n. 555, as well as Articles 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 of the Civil Code approved by Royal Decree 25 June 1865, n. 2358, a person born abroad, even before the date of entry into force of this article, who is in possession of another citizenship, is considered never to have acquired Italian citizenship, unless one of the following conditions occurs:
- the citizenship status of the interested party is recognized, in compliance with the regulations applicable as of March 27, 2025, following an application, supported by the necessary documentation, submitted to the competent consular office or mayor no later than 23:59, Rome time, of the same date;
- the citizenship status of the interested party is ascertained judicially, in compliance with the regulations applicable as of March 27, 2025, following a judicial application filed no later than 23:59, Rome time, of the same date;
- a parent or adopter citizen was born in Italy;
- a parent or adopter citizen was resident in Italy for at least two continuous years prior to the date of birth or adoption of the child;
- a first-degree ascendant citizen of the parents or adopters citizen was born in Italy. ».
2. To Article 19-bis of Legislative Decree 1 September 2011, n. 150, the following modifications are made:
- the heading is replaced by the following: « Controversies regarding the ascertainment of the status of statelessness and Italian citizenship »;
- after paragraph 2, the following are added:
« 2-bis. Except for cases expressly provided for by law, in controversies regarding the ascertainment of Italian citizenship, oath and testimonial evidence are not admissible.
2-ter. In controversies regarding the ascertainment of Italian citizenship, the person seeking the ascertainment of citizenship is required to allege and prove the non-existence of the causes of non-acquisition or loss of citizenship provided for by law. ».
Article 2.
(Entry into force)
1. This decree enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic and shall be presented to the Chambers for conversion into law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Decree-Law 36/2025?
It’s an urgent law enacted by the Italian government on March 28, 2025, that significantly changes the rules for acquiring Italian citizenship jure sanguinis (by descent), particularly for those born and living outside Italy.
What is the main change introduced by this decree, sometimes discussed in relation to Decreto Tajani?
The decree introduces Article 3-bis into Citizenship Law 91/1992. It states that individuals born abroad who hold another citizenship are now considered *never to have acquired* Italian citizenship automatically through descent, UNLESS they meet specific exceptions. It reverses the previous assumption of automatic transmission across unlimited generations abroad.
What are the exceptions? Who is NOT affected by the restriction in DL 36/2025?
The restriction does *not* apply, and citizenship *is* transmitted/recognized, if AT LEAST ONE of these conditions is met:
- The person does *not* possess another citizenship (i.e., they would otherwise be stateless).
- The person already had a formal application for recognition submitted to a consulate or Italian municipality by 23:59 (Rome time) on March 27, 2025.
- The person already had a lawsuit for citizenship recognition filed with an Italian court by 23:59 (Rome time) on March 27, 2025 (like a 1948 case or a minor issue case).
- The person has a parent or adoptive parent who was born in Italy.
- The person has a parent or adoptive parent who was legally resident in Italy for at least two continuous years immediately before the person’s birth or adoption (potentially requiring an elective residence visa/permit).
- The person has a grandparent (parent’s parent) or adoptive grandparent who was born in Italy.
Why did the government enact this decree, sometimes colloquially referred to as ‘decreto tajani’ due to the Foreign Ministry’s role?
The government cited several reasons: the massive and growing number of applications overwhelming administrative (consulates, municipalities) and judicial systems; the fact that many applicants have very distant Italian roots and no current “effective ties” (legame effettivo) of culture, language, or connection to Italy; potential national security risks associated with granting citizenship to large numbers of people without verified connections; and the need to align with international principles where citizenship reflects a genuine link between the individual and the state. The perceived threat to jus sanguinis prompted this action.
Does this apply retroactively?
The law states that a person falling under the restriction “is considered never to have acquired” citizenship. This language suggests it applies to determining status even for people born before the decree. However, it explicitly protects those whose citizenship was already formally recognized via applications submitted before March 27, 2025. Applications submitted *before* this date will be decided based on the *previous* rules.
What is the change to the burden of proof?
Article 1, paragraph 2 introduces Article 19-bis, para 2-ter into the rules for civil proceedings (Legislative Decree 150/2011). It states that in citizenship court cases, the *applicant* must now allege and *prove the non-existence* of any legal reasons why they might *not* have acquired or might have *lost* citizenship along their line (addressing issues like potential document inconsistencies). This is a significant shift from previous interpretations by the Court of Cassation (e.g., ruling 25317/2022) which placed the burden on the State to prove an interruption in the citizenship line. This makes pursuing citizenship through the courts potentially more difficult and requires more comprehensive documentation from the applicant.
Are testimonial evidence or oaths allowed in court cases now?
No. The new Article 19-bis, para 2-bis explicitly states that, unless otherwise provided by law, testimonial evidence and oaths are *not admissible* in court proceedings for ascertaining Italian citizenship.
Is this law final?
It is a Decree-Law, meaning it is immediately in force. However, the Italian Constitution requires Decree-Laws to be converted into permanent law by Parliament within 60 days. During this conversion process (DDL 1432 is the bill for this), Parliament can approve it as is, reject it, or approve it with amendments. If not converted within 60 days, it retroactively loses effect, but actions based on it might be regulated by subsequent law. You can monitor progress on the Italian Senate website.
What should I do if I think I might be affected by DL 36/2025?
Given the complexity and the significant impact of these changes related to the “decreto tajani” context, it is crucial to carefully review your family history against the specific exceptions listed in the new Article 3-bis. If you were planning to apply, or have an application in progress submitted *after* March 27, 2025, you should seek expert legal advice immediately to assess your situation under the new rules and determine the best course of action.
Original Italian Text (Disegno di Legge 1432 / Decreto-Legge 36/2025)
The full text of the Bill (Disegno di Legge n. 1432) presented to the Senate, which includes the explanatory report (Relazione), technical report (Relazione Tecnica), and the original text of the Decree-Law n. 36 of March 28, 2025 (Testo del decreto-legge), can be found based on the information provided in the prompt’s OCR content. The official publication is in the Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 73 of March 28, 2025. The Ministry of the Interior website may also provide updates.
For reference, the key operative part is Article 1 of the Decree-Law n. 36/2025, introducing Article 3-bis into Law 91/1992.
DECRETO-LEGGE 28 marzo 2025 , n. 36
Disposizioni urgenti in materia di cittadinanza. (25G00049)
Vigente al: 2-4-2025
IL PRESIDENTE DELLA REPUBBLICA
Visti gli articoli 77 e 87, quinto comma, della Costituzione;
Vista la legge 23 agosto 1988, n. 400, recante «Disciplina dell’attività di Governo e ordinamento della Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri» e, in particolare, l’articolo 15;
Visto il codice civile approvato con regio decreto 25 giugno 1865, n. 2358, e in particolare gli articoli da 4 a 15;
Vista la legge 13 giugno 1912, n. 555, recante disposizioni «Sulla cittadinanza italiana»;
Vista la legge 21 aprile 1983, n. 123, recante «Disposizioni in materia di cittadinanza»;
Vista la legge 5 febbraio 1992, n. 91, recante «Nuove norme sulla cittadinanza»;
Visto il decreto legislativo 1° settembre 2011, n. 150, recante «Disposizioni complementari al codice di procedura civile in materia di riduzione e semplificazione dei procedimenti civili di cognizione, ai sensi dell’articolo 54 della legge 18 giugno 2009, n. 69» e in particolare l’articolo 19-bis;
Considerato che le disposizioni successivamente adottate in materia di cittadinanza a partire dalla riunificazione nazionale sono state finora interpretate nel senso di accordare alle persone nate all’estero una facoltà di chiedere il riconoscimento della cittadinanza senza alcun limite temporale o generazionale né oneri di dimostrare la sussistenza o il mantenimento di vincoli effettivi con la Repubblica;
Considerato che tale assetto normativo determina la crescita continua ed esponenziale della platea di potenziali cittadini italiani che risiedono al di fuori del territorio nazionale e che, anche in ragione del possesso di una o più cittadinanze diverse da quella italiana, sono prevalentemente legati ad altri Stati da vincoli profondi di cultura, identità e fedeltà;
Considerato che la possibile assenza di vincoli effettivi con la Repubblica in capo a un crescente numero di cittadini, che potrebbe raggiungere una consistenza pari o superiore alla popolazione residente nel territorio nazionale, costituisce un fattore di rischio serio ed attuale per la sicurezza nazionale e, in virtù dell’appartenenza dell’Italia all’Unione europea, degli altri Stati membri della stessa e dello Spazio Schengen;
Considerato che, in applicazione del principio di proporzionalità, è opportuno prevedere il mantenimento della cittadinanza italiana e, conseguentemente, europea in capo alle persone nate e residenti all’estero alle quali lo stato di cittadini è già stato validamente riconosciuto;
Considerato che è opportuno prevedere l’applicazione della normativa sostanziale previgente alle controversie giurisdizionali e ai procedimenti amministrativi instaurati in data anteriore alla deliberazione del Consiglio dei ministri del presente decreto;
Ritenuta pertanto la straordinaria necessità ed urgenza di introdurre limitazioni nella trasmissione automatica della cittadinanza italiana a persone nate e residenti all’estero, condizionandola a chiari indici della sussistenza di vincoli effettivi con la Repubblica;
Ritenuta pertanto la straordinaria necessità ed urgenza di operare un bilanciamento tra i principi di cui agli articoli 1 e 3 della Costituzione, applicando le suddette limitazioni a tutti i futuri riconoscimenti di cittadinanza italiana ed evitando l’intrinseca irragionevolezza di riconoscimenti della cittadinanza italiana secondo criteri diversi a seconda di un fattore casuale e non indicativo di vincoli effettivi con la Repubblica, quale la nascita dei richiedenti, in luogo dell’effettivo esercizio di diritti o adempimento di doveri connessi con lo stato di cittadino;
Ritenuta la straordinaria necessità e urgenza di introdurre misure per evitare, nelle more dell’approvazione di una riforma organica delle disposizioni in materia di cittadinanza, un eccezionale e incontrollato afflusso di domande di riconoscimento della cittadinanza, tale da impedire l’ordinata funzionalità degli uffici consolari all’estero, dei comuni e degli uffici giudiziari;
Vista la deliberazione del Consiglio dei ministri, adottata nella riunione del 28 marzo 2025;
Sulla proposta del Presidente del Consiglio dei ministri e dei Ministri degli affari esteri e della cooperazione internazionale e dell’interno, di concerto con i Ministri della giustizia e dell’economia e delle finanze;
Emana
il seguente decreto-legge:
Art. 1
Disposizioni urgenti in materia di cittadinanza
1. Alla legge 5 febbraio 1992, n. 91, dopo l’articolo 3 è inserito il seguente:
«Art. 3-bis. – 1. In deroga agli articoli 1, 2, 3, 14 e 20 della presente legge, all’articolo 5 della legge 21 aprile 1983, n. 123, agli articoli 1, 2, 7, 10, 12 e 19 della legge 13 giugno 1912, n. 555, nonché agli articoli 4, 5, 7, 8 e 9 del codice civile approvato con regio decreto 25 giugno 1865, n. 2358, è considerato non avere mai acquistato la cittadinanza italiana chi è nato all’estero anche prima della data di entrata in vigore del presente articolo ed è in possesso di altra cittadinanza, salvo che ricorra una delle seguenti condizioni:
a) lo stato di cittadino dell’interessato è riconosciuto, nel rispetto della normativa applicabile al 27 marzo 2025, a seguito di domanda, corredata della necessaria documentazione, presentata all’ufficio consolare o al sindaco competenti non oltre le 23:59, ora di Roma, della medesima data;
b) lo stato di cittadino dell’interessato è accertato giudizialmente, nel rispetto della normativa applicabile al 27 marzo 2025, a seguito di domanda giudiziale presentata non oltre le 23:59, ora di Roma, della medesima data;
c) un genitore o adottante cittadino è nato in Italia;
d) un genitore o adottante cittadino è stato residente in Italia per almeno due anni continuativi prima della data di nascita o di adozione del figlio;
e) un ascendente cittadino di primo grado dei genitori o degli adottanti cittadini è nato in Italia.».
2. All’articolo 19-bis del decreto legislativo 1° settembre 2011, n. 150, sono apportate le seguenti modificazioni:
a) la rubrica è sostituita dalla seguente: «Controversie in materia di accertamento dello stato di apolidia e di cittadinanza italiana»;
b) dopo il comma 2 sono aggiunti i seguenti: «2-bis. Salvi i casi espressamente previsti dalla legge, nelle controversie in materia di accertamento della cittadinanza italiana non sono ammessi il giuramento e la prova testimoniale.
2-ter. Nelle controversie in materia di accertamento della cittadinanza italiana chi chiede l’accertamento della cittadinanza è tenuto ad allegare e provare l’insussistenza delle cause di mancato acquisto o di perdita della cittadinanza previste dalla legge.».
Art. 2
Entrata in vigore
1. Il presente decreto entra in vigore il giorno successivo a quello della sua pubblicazione nella Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica italiana e sarà presentato alle Camere per la conversione in legge.
Il presente decreto, munito del sigillo dello Stato, sarà inserito nella Raccolta ufficiale degli atti normativi della Repubblica italiana. È fatto obbligo a chiunque spetti di osservarlo e di farlo osservare.
Dato a Roma, addì 28 marzo 2025
MATTARELLA
Meloni, Presidente del Consiglio dei ministri
Tajani, Ministro degli affari esteri e della cooperazione internazionale
Piantedosi, Ministro dell’interno
Nordio, Ministro della giustizia
Giorgetti, Ministro dell’economia e delle finanze
Visto, il Guardasigilli: Nordio
Discuss Your Case
The new regulations stemming from the “decreto tajani” discussions add complexity to the Italian citizenship process. If you need assistance understanding how this Decree-Law affects your eligibility or wish to discuss your specific case, please use the form below to get in touch.
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