Registration of minor children as Italian citizens: special grace period until May 31, 2026

If you have recently obtained Italian citizenship by descent, there is great news you shouldn’t overlook: the Italian government has established a grace period until May 31, 2026, allowing you to register your minor children and guarantee them Italian citizenship.

What does this grace period mean?

This exceptional period represents a unique opportunity for those recognized as Italian citizens iure sanguinis (by right of blood). For those who have already been recognized and have not yet registered their children, this deadline allows them to regularize the situation without further bureaucratic obstacles, especially considering the recent changes in Italian citizenship laws.

Who can benefit?

This opportunity is exclusively for Italian citizens by descent who have completed their recognition process but have not yet registered children who, as of May 24, 2025, had not yet reached 18 years of age. If a child turns 18 between May 24, 2025, and May 31, 2026, they must submit their own application independently by the May 31, 2026 deadline. Failure to do so will result in losing the automatic recognition as an Italian citizen, requiring them to submit their own recognition request through a longer and more complex procedure if eligible.

What steps should be followed?

To take advantage of this opportunity, it is essential to:

1. Gather the necessary documents: the minor’s birth certificate, translated into Italian, with an apostille and certified Italian translation.
2. Request the registration of the minor at the competent Italian consulate or, if residing in Italy, at the local municipality (Comune) of residence.

A right that is also an opportunity

The grace period until May 31, 2026, is a measure designed to facilitate the legal union between parents and children within the framework of Italian citizenship. If you are in this situation, now is the ideal time to act and guarantee your children the same opportunities you have earned.

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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.