Reform of consular services law, Italian Citizenship, and other new measures for Italians abroad

The year 2026 marks a period of profound change for Italians residing outside the national territory. With the approval of Law No. 11/2026, the Italian Government has launched a structural revision of the consular system and the services provided to Italian communities around the world.

The reform includes a transitional phase that will continue until the end of 2028, while the new system is expected to become fully operational between 2029 and 2030. The stated objective is to make the relationship between citizens and public administration more efficient by simplifying procedures, reducing waiting times, and progressively expanding the use of digital tools.

New Procedures for the Recognition of Italian Citizenship

One of the most significant aspects of the reform concerns applications for the recognition of Italian citizenship submitted by adult children of Italian citizens residing abroad.

During the transitional period ending on December 31, 2028, Consulates will continue to receive applications, but with a quantitative limit linked to the number of cases accepted during the previous year. This means that, in many cases, it will be essential to verify in advance the availability of application slots at the relevant consular office.

The legislation also establishes that the review process must be completed within a maximum period of 36 months from the submission of the application.

Starting from January 1, 2029, however, the management of these procedures will change completely. Applications will no longer be handled directly by Consulates, but instead centralized within a dedicated office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Requests must be submitted exclusively in paper format by mail, while all official communications will be sent electronically to the email address provided by the applicant, even if it is not a certified PEC address. The maximum processing time of three years will remain unchanged.

AIRE and Integration with the National Registry

The reform also introduces important changes regarding AIRE, the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad, which will gradually be integrated into ANPR, the National Registry of the Resident Population.

The legislator has also redefined the categories of citizens who will not be required to register with AIRE, particularly in cases where residence abroad is connected to temporary assignments and where strong administrative and tax ties with Italy remain in place.

The exemption applies, among others, to seasonal workers, public administration personnel assigned abroad, school principals, teachers and educational staff on foreign assignment, regional employees working in international representative offices, civilian and military personnel serving continuously abroad, and individuals working within NATO structures. The same rules will also apply to family members living with these professional categories.

The law also opens the possibility of optional AIRE registration for citizens who, while maintaining their tax domicile in Italy, work abroad for European Union institutions or international organizations.

Passports: End of Renewals

Among the most significant changes is the modification of the rules concerning Italian passports. With the entry into force of the new legislation, it will no longer be possible to simply renew an expired passport. Every expired passport will have to be replaced through the issuance of a completely new document.

The reform also regulates the procedures to follow in cases of theft or loss. When the incident occurs in Italy, the citizen must report it to the Italian police authorities. If the event takes place abroad, it will be necessary to report it to the local authorities and subsequently submit the report to the competent consular offices. If it is not possible to file a report with the local police, the citizen may make a declaration directly at the Consulate.

The new passports will also include advanced biometric systems. In addition to the holder’s photograph and signature, the document will contain biometric data stored in an integrated electronic microchip.

Electronic Identity Card

Another important innovation concerns the Electronic Identity Card (CIE). Starting from August 3, 2026, all old paper identity cards must be mandatorily replaced by the electronic version, regardless of the expiration date shown on the document.

For Italians residing abroad, an important simplification is introduced: beginning on June 1, 2026, applications for the Electronic Identity Card may be submitted not only at the territorially competent Consulate, but also at any Italian municipality.

Today, the CIE represents a fundamental tool for accessing Public Administration digital services. In addition to displaying the holder’s tax code, the document includes fingerprints and can be used as an electronic authentication system alternative to SPID. Furthermore, it enables the use of digital signatures for numerous online administrative operations.

A Modernization Process Set to Transform Relations with Consulates

The reform of consular services therefore aims to deeply modernize the Italian administrative system dedicated to citizens residing abroad. Centralization of procedures, greater digitalization, and integration of databases represent the pillars of a project intended to make consular services faster and more efficient in the coming years.

For millions of Italians around the world, a new phase is now beginning, characterized by different procedures and a gradual transition toward increasingly digitalized and centralized systems.

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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, and Paolo Grassi, Trainee of LCA Studio Legale.