The Italian Constitutional Court has signaled its support for a new government law restricting citizenship for those born abroad, a decision that challenges the country’s long-standing principle of citizenship by descent. This ruling, expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, will significantly impact descendants seeking Italian citizenship, as it limits recognition to those with parents or grandparents born in Italy and who held solely Italian citizenship at the time of their descendant’s birth. The decision comes as Italy grapples with a declining population and emigration, potentially hindering initiatives to attract Italian descendants back to depopulated regions. Lawyers are exploring further legal avenues, including appeals to EU courts and Italy’s Court of Cassation, to challenge the new citizenship rules.
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Italy’s Constitutional Court has indicated it will uphold a new law restricting citizenship for those born abroad, a decision that reverses the country’s long-standing principle of citizenship by descent, or *ius sanguinis*. This controversial 2025 law limits citizenship to individuals with an Italian-born parent or grandparent, and requires that parent or grandparent to have held sole Italian citizenship at the time of the descendant’s birth. The ruling is seen as a blow to the vast Italian diaspora who have historically relied on the principle of *ius sanguinis* to claim citizenship, and may hinder efforts to repopulate aging Italian towns. While some lawyers believe legal battles may continue at the EU level or through Italy’s highest court, this decision marks a significant shift in Italian citizenship policy.
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Amidst rising political tensions in the United States, a growing number of Americans with Canadian ancestry are seeking to formalize their citizenship. Recent legislative changes in Canada, specifically Bill C-3, now retroactively grant citizenship by descent to individuals born before December 15, 2025, who would have qualified were it not for previous first-generation limitations. This shift has led to a significant surge in requests for historical documents to prove lineage, with archives across Canada reporting exponential increases in applications from Americans. Many individuals are driven by a desire for a “Plan B” or a renewed sense of connection to their Franco-Canadian heritage.
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John Q. Hosedrinker