Visa and residence permit for descendants of Italian citizens: how will it work?

The amendments introduced in 2025 to the rules governing Italian citizenship by descent have introduced, alongside greater restrictions on the recognition of citizenship iure sanguinis, a new possibility for certain foreign nationals of Italian origin who wish to move to Italy for employment purposes.

The new channel was established by Decree-Law No. 36/2024 through the introduction of Article 27, paragraph 1-octies, of the Consolidated Immigration Act (Testo Unico dell’Immigrazione). The objective is to allow people who, despite having Italian ancestry, can no longer obtain citizenship on the basis of their descent to enter Italy for employment purposes.

The measure is therefore of particular interest to descendants of Italians who intend to turn their connection with Italy into a concrete plan to relocate and enter the Italian labour market.

Which nationals can benefit from the new procedure?

The possibility does not apply indiscriminately to all foreign nationals of Italian origin. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has specifically identified the countries covered by the measure.

The list currently includes:

• Venezuela;

• Argentina;

• Brazil;

• United States of America;

• Australia;

• Canada;

• Uruguay.

The choice was made taking into account the number of Italian citizens registered with AIRE residing in the various countries. In particular, as of 31 December 2024, the countries identified recorded more than 100,000 Italian citizens registered in the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad.

The rules could nevertheless be extended in the future to other countries on the basis of the same criterion.

Working in Italy without necessarily being subject to quotas

One of the most significant aspects of the new rules concerns employment.

A foreign national of Italian origin who has a job offer in Italy may access the procedure outside the annual quotas established under the ordinary Decreto Flussi system.

This represents a significant difference compared with the normal procedures for entering Italy for employment purposes, particularly for those who do not possess qualifications that would allow them to access other specific channels, such as those provided for certain categories of highly skilled workers.

In this way, Italian descent becomes the basis for accessing an alternative entry route, without being subject to annual numerical limits or to the timing requirements associated with the so-called click day.

What documents and steps are required for employment?

The procedure begins with the existence of a genuine employment opportunity in Italy.

The applicant must demonstrate both the existence of the job offer and their relationship of descent from an Italian ancestor. For this purpose, genealogical documentation and, in particular, birth certificates relating to the line of descent play a central role.

The procedure then follows the main stages required for the entry of foreign workers:

1. the Italian employer submits the application required for the worker's entry;

2. the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione of the Prefecture proceeds with the issuance of the nulla osta;

3. the worker applies for the national employment visa at the competent Italian consulate;

4. once the visa has been obtained, the worker may enter Italy;

5. after entering Italy, the worker applies for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at the Questura.

The residence permit therefore represents the final step in the entry procedure and allows the foreign national to reside lawfully in Italy in connection with the authorised employment activity.

What if the descendant wishes to engage in self-employment?

The situation is different when the planned activity is not employment but self-employment.

In this case, the entry of foreign nationals of Italian origin remains subject to the quota system.

For the three-year period 2026–2028, particularly limited quotas have been established: 10 total entries for nationals coming from Venezuela and 40 for each of the other countries covered by the measure, for each year of the three-year period.

The procedure also involves certain specific steps. First, the applicant must obtain documentation certifying that they are entitled to carry out the specific professional activity in Italy, taking into account any authorisation requirements applicable to regulated professions.

It is also necessary to obtain the nulla osta from the Questura of the province in which the activity is to be commenced. Subsequently, the applicant must obtain the national visa from the Italian consulate and, once in Italy, apply for the relevant residence permit.

An alternative opportunity to citizenship by descent

The distinctive feature of the new rules therefore lies in their relationship with the recent restrictions concerning Italian citizenship.

On the one hand, recognition of citizenship by descent has become more limited for certain categories of descendants of Italian citizens. On the other hand, an alternative route is offered to those who, although unable to obtain citizenship on the basis of their family origins, retain a connection with Italy and wish to settle in the country for employment purposes.

For descendants of Italians from the countries identified by the legislation, particularly where there is an offer of employment, the new procedure may therefore represent a particularly relevant entry route.

The central point is that a genealogical connection to an Italian ancestor does not automatically result in recognition of citizenship, but may serve a different purpose: becoming the basis for access to a specific procedure for entry into Italy for employment purposes.

Looking ahead, these rules could also be extended to other countries, making the new channel potentially relevant to an even broader group of people of Italian origin interested in relocating to Italy.

In summary

The new rules create a route distinct from that of citizenship iure sanguinis. For nationals of the countries identified who have Italian ancestry, employment allows entry into Italy without being subject to the quotas of the Decreto Flussi, provided that there is a job offer and the documentation necessary to demonstrate descent.

Following the issuance of the nulla osta and the national visa, entry into Italy must be followed by an application for a residence permit.

For self-employment, by contrast, the quotas established for entries from abroad remain applicable.

The measure therefore constitutes a new regular immigration instrument which, by linking Italian origin with the needs of the labour market, offers descendants of Italians a possible alternative

Your Way to Italy: our assistance

Our team is available to provide support and assistance regarding italian citizenship and  immigration law! Contact us to schedule your first consultation! #Yourwaytoitaly

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.