Many people around the world discover that they have Italians in their family tree, and this opens up an interesting opportunity—obtaining Italian citizenship by descent. This citizenship not only restores the connection with family roots but also provides practical advantages: an Italian passport opens the doors to all EU countries, granting the right to freely live, work, and study in Europe. That is why more and more people are interested in this issue—from students dreaming of a European education to families who want to secure better prospects for their children.
In this material, we will explain who can qualify for citizenship by descent, what documents are required, what to pay attention to during the application process, and which laws regulate it. This will help you avoid confusion and understand where to begin if you decide to explore your Italian roots.
Imagine being able to obtain citizenship not through a language test or years of residence, but simply because you have Italian ancestors. This is exactly how the principle of jure sanguinis Italy, or “right of blood,” works. It means: if your father, grandfather, or even great-grandfather was Italian, you too may be eligible for citizenship.
In Italy, this mechanism is enshrined in Law No. 91 of 1992 (“Legge 5 febbraio 1992, n. 91”). Article 1 clearly states: “È cittadino per nascita il figlio di padre o di madre cittadini”—“A child is considered Italian if either the father or mother is Italian.” In other words, citizenship is automatically passed from ancestors to descendants, regardless of where the child was born — Rome, Buenos Aires, or New York.
Citizenship by birth (jus soli) works, for example, in the United States: if you are born there, you automatically become a citizen.
Citizenship by naturalization applies when a foreigner obtains a passport after years of legal residence, exams, and integration into society.
Italian citizenship through descent is much simpler: it is enough to prove the family connection with documents.
So the main question for most people is: can I prove that my ancestors were Italian? If the answer is “yes,” then a whole legal path opens up, which we will explain in detail below.
The key question: am I really eligible for Italian citizenship through my ancestors?
Law No. 91/1992 may sound technical, but in plain terms, it says: citizenship passes “from parents to children, generation after generation.” The only requirement is to prove this unbroken chain.
The simplest case—if at least one of your parents is Italian. In this situation, you automatically receive Italian nationality by descent. It does not matter where you were born—Naples or Canada. A birth certificate with a citizenship note is the proof.
If your parents no longer hold Italian citizenship, you can look to grandparents. If they were born in Italy and held citizenship, you may apply for Italian citizenship by descent. Here, you need to collect a full chain of documents: from their birth certificates to your own.
Sometimes both parents and grandparents have lost their status. But there is still a chance through a great-grandparent—this is called Italian citizenship by descent great-grandparent. The main condition is that they did not renounce citizenship before the next generation was born.
What about even older ancestors? In theory, citizenship in Italy based on ancestry can be obtained through great-great-grandparents. But this often requires municipal records, registry books, or church archives. That is why many applicants turn to lawyers or researchers, as it can be difficult to find such documents independently.
Many ask: where do I actually start? The idea sounds attractive, but the process seems complicated. In fact, it consists of several clear steps, and the most important one is gathering the correct documents.
The process usually looks like this:
Collect documents in your country—birth, marriage, and death certificates of all ancestors.
Search archives in Italy—municipal or church records.
Legalize and translate documents (apostille and Italian translation).
Submit the application—you can apply for Italian citizenship by descent through the Italian consulate in your country or directly at a municipality in Italy.
This list is not exhaustive but gives you a good idea of the procedure.
The minimum package includes:
This is the basis for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent. Missing even one document may delay the process.
Most applicants file through consulates where they live. This is applying for Italian citizenship by descent from abroad. The drawback: waiting times may be several years. The alternative is traveling to Italy and applying directly, where the process is often faster.
Application fee: about €300 (Decreto-Legge n. 66/2014).
Processing time: 1–4 years.
Common issues: missing documents or variations in names (e.g., “Giovanni Rossi” vs. “John Ross”).
This is the path to getting Italian citizenship by descent. It may be lengthy, but the result—an Italian passport—is worth it.
Most people pursue citizenship through ancestry because of the benefits. It is not just a “nice passport,” but real opportunities for education, work, and life.
The biggest value is the Italian passport by descent. With it, you automatically become an EU citizen, meaning:
With Italy citizenship by descent, your children can enroll in European universities on the same terms as locals — lower tuition, scholarships, and exchange programs. Adults can live and work freely without constant visa hassles.
Italy allows multiple passports. So when you get Italian citizenship by descent, you may also keep your current passport (if your country permits). This is a major advantage for many applicants.
Another key reason is the future of children. Once you gain status, they automatically become citizens. This is gaining Italian citizenship through ancestry—a right that can be passed down. One successful application secures benefits for generations.
The rule: citizenship must pass without interruption. If a great-grandparent renounced it before the next generation was born, the chain is broken, making obtaining Italian citizenship through ancestry more difficult. Checking naturalization dates of emigrated ancestors is crucial.
Proof may include:
This is often the hardest step because Italian citizenship through descent must be backed by rare documents.
If families emigrated long ago and documents are missing, you may apply for restoration. This is called getting Italian citizenship by descent in a “restoration” context. Lawyers often assist with archives and courts. Even if your family left Italy over a century ago, status can be reclaimed.
Obtaining Italian citizenship through ancestry may seem complex, but becomes manageable when broken down step by step. If you are considering exploring your roots and opening the door to European life, it is worth starting with reliable resources. On the geteucitizenship.com website, you will find detailed and practical guidance on laws, documents, and procedures. This will be the first step toward turning your “family link to Italy” into a real passport.
Yes. If your grandparent was born in Italy and held citizenship, you can get Italian citizenship by descent. The key is proving it with documents.
Most important are birth, marriage, and death certificates of your ancestors. Additional municipal or church archives may also be required. These form the basis for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent.
It depends on where you apply. Consulates abroad may take several years. In Italy, it can be as quick as one year. Either way, it is applying for Italian citizenship by descent, and patience is required.
Yes. Italian law permits multiple passports. After Italian citizenship through descent, you can keep your current citizenship (if allowed by your country).
Italian nationality by descent confirms that you already had the right to citizenship at birth through ancestry. Naturalization means acquiring a passport after years of residence and additional conditions.
Generally, individuals with at least one Italian ancestor (parent, grandparent, or sometimes great-grandparent) who was an Italian citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth are eligible for Italian citizenship by descent. However, specific requirements may vary based on factors such as the generation of the Italian ancestor and the relevant laws in effect.
No, Italy generally allows dual citizenship, so you can typically retain your current citizenship while acquiring Italian citizenship by descent. However, it’s advisable to check the laws and regulations of your home country to ensure they allow dual citizenship as well.
Generally, Italian citizenship by descent can be claimed through parents, grandparents, and sometimes even great-grandparents. The eligibility requirements may depend on the relevant laws in place at the time of your birth and the specific consulate’s policies.
In most cases, Italian citizenship by descent is still possible if your Italian ancestor naturalized in another country. However, it’s essential to gather the necessary documentation, such as naturalization records, to prove that your ancestor’s naturalization did not result in the loss of Italian citizenship before your birth.
The required documents may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, naturalization records, and other relevant documents for each generation connecting you to your Italian ancestor. These documents need to be obtained and officially translated into Italian.