How to Pass Italian Citizenship to Your Children After the 2025 Reform

After Italy’s 2025 citizenship reform, parents can no longer assume their children automatically inherit Italian citizenship.
If your child was born abroad or after your own recognition as an Italian citizen, the rules have changed and understanding them is key to protecting your family’s future connection with Italy.

This article explains, in plain terms, how Law No. 74/2025 affects the transmission of citizenship to your children, what steps to take, and how THE CTZN can guide you through every stage.

The 2025 Reform: A New Legal Framework for Families Abroad

Before 2025, if you were recognized as an Italian citizen by descent (jure sanguinis), your children especially minors were usually considered Italian as well.
That is no longer the case.

With Law 74/2025, Italy introduced a new Article (3-bis) to Law 91/1992, redefining who is entitled to citizenship and when it can be passed down.

Key change:

A child born abroad after their parent’s recognition as an Italian citizen is not automatically Italian unless specific legal conditions are met.
This reform was designed to ensure a “real and demonstrable connection” (legame effettivo) between the family and Italy a fundamental principle of the new citizenship framework.

Children Born After Your Citizenship Recognition

If your child is born abroad after you have already been recognized as an Italian citizen, automatic transmission no longer applies.
Under Article 3-bis, paragraph 2, the child can only acquire Italian citizenship if the Italian parent, after being recognized as an Italian citizen, has legally resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the child’s birth or adoption.

In other words:

If you live in Italy and maintain residence for two years before your child’s birth, and the father is the Italian parent, your child will be Italian from birth.
If you live abroad (for example, in the United States), your child will not be automatically Italian.
You will need to file a declaration of intent for your child to acquire citizenship.

The Declaration of Intent: How It Works

Parents who live abroad must formally declare their intention for their child to acquire Italian citizenship.
This declaration must be submitted within one year of the child’s birth or recognition, at either:

The Italian Consulate responsible for the family’s place of residence
The Italian municipality (Comune) where the parent is registered (AIRE or residence)

Required documents:

Child’s long-form birth certificate, apostilled and translated into Italian
Parent’s citizenship certificate or recognition decree
Valid ID and proof of legal custody
€250 fee payment receipt

Once accepted, the child’s citizenship will be officially recorded in the Italian registry (Comune or AIRE).
If this declaration is not filed within one year, the child can only apply as an adult through naturalization a much longer process.

The Two-Year Residence Rule Explained

The new residence requirement is the most impactful part of the 2025 reform for families abroad.
Under Law 74/2025, citizenship can be transmitted automatically to future children only if the parent, after obtaining Italian citizenship, has lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years before their birth.

What counts as residence:

The parent is legally registered as a resident (residente anagraficamente) in an Italian municipality
The parent is physically living there (dimora abituale)
There is continuous proof of presence (utility bills, lease, tax registration)

Temporary visits or dual residencies abroad do not qualify.
For U.S.-based parents who plan to grow their family, moving to Italy before having children can be a strategic way to ensure the citizenship line remains intact.

Children Born Before the Parent’s Recognition

If your child was born before your own Italian citizenship recognition, different rules apply.

If your recognition as an Italian citizen is completed before May 31, 2026, you may still register your child under the transitional declaration period provided by Law 74/2025.
After that date, the opportunity closes permanently.

This transitional clause ensures that families currently in the process of recognition do not lose their children’s rights due to procedural delays.

Real Example: U.S. Family After the Reform

Imagine a U.S.-based couple, one of whom obtained Italian citizenship jure sanguinis in 2025.

Their son was born in 2024 → He can be declared Italian under the beneficio di legge rule (until May 31, 2026).
Their daughter is born in 2027 → She will not be Italian at birth unless the parent had moved to Italy for at least two years before her birth.

However, if the parents wish to grant citizenship by descent, this remains valid.
Otherwise, simply registering her birth within her first year of life even after May 31, 2026 will make her Italian by naturalization.

This example shows why planning ahead is essential in the new legal landscape.

How THE CTZN Supports Parents Worldwide

At THE CTZN, we help families in the United States and worldwide understand and navigate the new post-reform rules.
Our binational team of Italian and American legal experts provides:

Strategic legal analysis based on Law 74/2025
Verification of eligibility for parents and children
Preparation, translation, and legalization of all documentation
Direct coordination with Italian consulates and municipalities

Whether you are planning to move to Italy or stay in the United States, we will ensure your children’s citizenship rights are protected legally, correctly, and on time.

FAQ: Passing Italian Citizenship to Your Children

Can my child automatically get Italian citizenship if I was recognized abroad?

Not automatically anymore.
If the child is born after your recognition, you must meet the residence rule or file a declaration.

What if I am already registered in AIRE?

AIRE registration does not count as residence in Italy for the purpose of transmitting citizenship automatically.

How long must I live in Italy to qualify?

At least two continuous years before the child’s birth or adoption, and after obtaining the Italian citizenship.

What happens if I miss the one-year declaration window?

The child can only apply later as an adult through naturalization.

Can both parents sign the declaration?

Yes, but it is sufficient for the Italian parent to do so.
In both cases, both parents must personally sign at the Consulate a declaration of intent to acquire the child’s citizenship in the presence of the Consular Officer delegated to perform Civil Status functions.

Act Before It’s Too Late

Law 74/2025 protects the authenticity of Italian citizenship but it also limits automatic transmission.
If your family includes children born abroad, now is the time to take action.

Our legal team will help you assess your situation, prepare your documents, and ensure your children’s Italian future is safe.

👉 Secure your child’s citizenship today, before the window closes.

Check your child’s eligibility for Italian citizenship