Who can still claim Italian citizenship by descent after the 2025 reform?

Italy historically recognized citizenship through an unbroken bloodline with no generational cap. A major reform that took effect in 2025 changed this by introducing a generational limit and a requirement of a genuine link to Italy.

Under the new framework, you generally need an Italian-born parent or grandparent to be recognized as a citizen by descent. People whose Italian ancestor is further back in the family tree, such as a great-grandparent, are typically no longer eligible under the standard descent route, though specific transitional and exceptional situations exist.