Italian citizenship and recent rejections by the Turin Court for minors descended from Italians

In recent months, numerous cases of rejected citizenship applications for minors born abroad have attracted the attention of families and legal professionals. In Turin, in particular, the Court has dismissed more than twenty requests concerning children descended from Italian citizens, raising new uncertainties about how to interpret the provisions introduced by Law No. 74/2025.

An increasingly complex legal framework

The reform has modified some fundamental principles governing the transmission of citizenship to the children of Italians residing outside the country. Whereas in the past, bloodline alone was sufficient to establish the right to citizenship, today a closer connection to the national territory is required—especially for the children of those who acquired Italian citizenship through naturalization or descent from Italian ancestors.

The result is a more rigid system, one that risks creating disparities between children born in Italy and those born abroad, even when they share the same Italian lineage.

The practical consequences of the new rules

The cases examined by the Turin Court reveal two recurring situations. In the first scenario, a parent who became a naturalized Italian citizen while living abroad fails to demonstrate continuous residence in Italy for the two years following the oath of citizenship. This means that a child born afterward cannot automatically be recognized as an Italian citizen by right. Only once the child reaches adulthood can they apply for naturalization, provided they have legally resided in Italy for at least five years.

In the second scenario, the parents were recognized as Italian citizens by descent before the child’s birth. In this case, citizenship may be transmitted if the child’s birth is registered with the competent Italian authorities within one year. Otherwise, the child must move to Italy and reside there for at least two years before becoming eligible for citizenship.

A matter affecting thousands of families worldwide

The new provisions understandably cause concern among families of Italian origin around the world—many of whom had hoped to obtain an Italian passport for their children as a natural extension of their family identity. Today, however, the process has become more uncertain and requires close attention to deadlines, documentation, and the proper registration of birth certificates with Italian consulates.

Italian citizenship remains a deeply symbolic expression of identity, but recent interpretations of the law call for a careful and well-informed approach. Families with minor children born abroad should urgently verify their status and registration timelines to avoid future complications and to ensure their children can preserve and strengthen their connection to their Italian roots.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.