Official: The italian government extends by 3 years the deadline to secure Italian Citizenship for minors born abroad to Italian Citizens

The deadline originally set for May 31, 2026, for submitting the declaration required to obtain recognition of Italian citizenship by operation of law for minors born abroad before the entry into force of Decree-Law 36/2025 (the so-called “Tajani Decree”) has officially been postponed to May 31, 2029. The extension was confirmed through the conversion into law of the so-called “Milleproroghe 2026” decree, which made the above-mentioned deadline extension definitive.

The New Regulatory Framework

The measure forms part of the amendments introduced by Decree-Law 36/2025, which redefined the criteria for the attribution of Italian citizenship by descent, including the procedures for acquiring citizenship for children of Italian citizens born outside the national territory.

Under the new provisions, citizenship is no longer automatically granted at birth in these cases. Instead, parents (or those exercising parental responsibility) must submit a formal declaration of intent to the competent authorities, generally through the territorially competent Italian Consulate, within a specified deadline. For children born after the entry into force of the Tajani Decree, the law has now set this deadline at three years from the child’s birth.

What the Extension Entails

With the deadline postponed to May 31, 2029, Italian families residing abroad now have an additional three years to complete the required administrative process and ensure recognition of their children’s status as Italian citizens.

The extension represents a significant measure, especially considering the operational challenges many consular offices are facing, including case backlogs and prolonged appointment waiting times. The extended deadline therefore provides a broader timeframe to comply with the legal requirements, reducing the risk that the minors concerned may lose the opportunity to have their citizenship recognized.

Support for Italian Communities Worldwide

The measure is particularly important for the many Italian communities living outside Italy. Allowing more time to submit the declaration helps safeguard the legal and identity-based bond with the country of origin, at a time when administrative procedures can be complex and burdensome.

With this extension, the legislature has sought to offer a concrete solution to the needs of Italian families abroad, ensuring greater certainty and flexibility in access to citizenship for minors born beyond national borders.

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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.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law.