<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The diaspora dream of returning to one's ancestral home may now be out of reach for many second and third-generation Australians.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A 165-year-old law which granted Italian </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/citizenship" rel="" target="" title="citizenship"><span>citizenship</span></a><span> to anyone with Italian lineage dating back to great-grandparents is expected to be reversed, effectively shutting out millions of people hoping to use their ancestry to obtain the coveted European </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/passport" rel="" target="_blank" title="passport."><span>passport.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Over 1.1 million Australians identified as having Italian heritage during the 2021 Census.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXCLUSIVE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/first-home-buyers-australia-rush-protect-borrowing-capacity-before-predicted-interest-rate-hikes/a938f241-58b0-43b4-bdd9-00e1b6832fc9" target="_blank"><strong><span>Max scrambled to buy a home before today's RBA decision derailed his plans</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Do you have a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter April Glover at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:april.glover@nine.com.au" rel="" target="" title="april.glover@nine.com.au"><em><strong><span>april.glover@nine.com.au</span></strong></em></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It may soon become impossible for many them to use their bloodline to officially live 'la dolce vita' and become Italian citizens.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A controversial 2025 emergency decree which seeks to tighten eligibility criteria for Italian citizenship is likely to be upheld despite a constitutional challenge.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/italian-citizenship-requirements-restrictions-descent-law/8e5ebd2d-61f6-4d93-857c-88a840a5a4f2" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under the old "jure sanguinis" (right of blood) rule, anyone who could prove they had an Italian ancestor alive after March 17, 1861 – when the Kingdom of Italy was founded – could obtain citizenship.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It meant many Australians with Italian ancestry could apply for citizenship by proving their lineage through great-grandparents.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But this is no longer the case.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/uk-eta-rules-family-scotland-trip-ruined/6ea6d79b-6e43-4adc-9507-d2b80096cbdf" rel="" target="_blank" title="Jessica's family trip was ruined over a 'distressing' citizenship revelation"><strong><span>Jessica's family trip was ruined over a 'distressing' citizenship revelation</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The decree states that only those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy can obtain an Italian passport.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The imminent legislation also denies citizenship to those with an Italian parent or grandparent who held dual citizenship at the time of their birth.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents will need to exclusively have Italian citizenship to pass it on to their children.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A citizen parent can only pass down citizenship to a child if they were a resident in Italy for at least two continuous years, after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the birth or adoption of the applicant.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/iran-war-australian-expats-in-dubai-why-they-are-staying-in-middle-east/dc1c1f5c-643e-451d-b5fa-bbf1d5383e30" rel="" target="_blank" title="Aussie expats have been told to fly home now. But Jess is staying in Dubai"><strong><span>Aussie expats have been told to fly home now. But Jess is staying in Dubai</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said he wanted to overhaul an outdated citizenship system.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He claimed the Italian government was cracking down on "abusers" who only wanted an Italian passport for ease of travel.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Italian passport was ranked as the third most powerful in the world, according to the Henley Passport Index.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Being an Italian citizen is a serious thing," Tajani said last year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Unfortunately, over the years, there have been abuses and citizenship requests that went somewhat beyond genuine interest in our country."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 2025 ruling was challenged by four judges who questioned its constitutionality.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, Italy's Constitutional Court indicated it will side with the government during a hearing held last week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Constitutional Court has declared the questions of constitutional legitimacy raised by the Turin court partially unfounded and partially inadmissible," the court said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An official verdict on the challenge is expected within weeks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>How can I get citizenship in Italy by descent?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The process of verifying Italian lineage and obtaining an Italian passport remains a complicated process.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians hoping to become an Italian citizen must locate vital records including marriage, birth or death certificates from an ancestor's hometown in Italy, which also must be translated into Italian and certified by an official.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It can cost around $487 per document.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Applications are lodged through an Italian consulate or embassy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to the website Italian Dual Citizenship, it can take up to a year to get an appointment at a consulate and years for citizenship to be approved.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>