The text of the reform of consular services and procedures for Italian citizenship by descent has been definitively approved

On January 14, 2026, the process for the final approval of the law that profoundly reshapes the organization of consular services and the management of Italian citizenship by descent was completed. The bill had been approved by the Chamber of Deputies in October 2025 and has now received final approval from the Senate. With its forthcoming publication in the Official Gazette, the reform will become effective.

The stated aim is to make the functioning of diplomatic missions more uniform and to centralize, in Rome, all procedures related to the recognition of iure sanguinis citizenship through the establishment of a Service for the Reconstruction of Italian Citizenship, which will handle all applications for Italian citizenship by descent.

The consequence of this reform is to strip Italian consulates abroad of their authority to process applications for the recognition of Italian iure sanguinis citizenship. Consulates will retain authority only for minors and for the confirmation of the status of citizens who have already been recognized.

Although the government has justified the centralization of responsibilities with the need to ensure more standardized procedures and stricter checks on the authenticity of documents, concerns remain about how applications will actually be processed. The reform provides, among other things, for an extension of processing times to up to 36 months, the requirement that original paper documentation be sent—at the applicants’ care and expense—and a maximum annual number of applications that can be processed.

The approved reform, in addition to measures concerning Italian iure sanguinis citizenship, includes further changes regarding the AIRE register (the register of Italian citizens residing abroad), which is integrated into the National Register of the Resident Population, as well as the return of the “double legalization” of documents issued abroad.

The entry into force of the new rules is planned to occur progressively through 2028, with a transitional period allowing consulates to conclude Italian citizenship applications that are already in progress.

The changes introduced will certainly have a significant impact, especially on descendants of Italians residing abroad who are interested in the recognition of their status civitatis. The functioning of the new system will need to be assessed in practice, although the premises suggest a general slowdown due to the centralization of applications and the limitations provided for.

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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.