What is Jure Sanguinis?

Jure Sanguinis (“right of blood”) is the principle by which Italy recognizes citizenship based on ancestry, rather than place of birth. This means that individuals with Italian ancestors may be eligible to claim Italian citizenship – even if they were born outside of Italy – provided they can prove an unbroken chain of citizenship through their family line.

Who Qualifies for Italian Citizenship by Descent?

You may be eligible if:

• You have an Italian-born ancestor (a parent or grandparent).
• That ancestor was an Italian citizen at the time of their death or at the time of your birth .
• No one in your direct line formally renounced Italian citizenship before passing it on.

Key Requirements

• Documentation: You must provide birth, marriage, death, and naturalization records for each person in your direct line.
• Unbroken Chain: The citizenship must be passed down without interruption.
• Date Considerations: Special rules apply for ancestors who naturalized before 1912 or for female ancestors (due to a 1948 gender equality ruling).
• New Restrictions (as of 2024/2025): Some recent interpretations of Law 91/1992 may limit eligibility to those claiming through a parent or grandparent. These changes are currently being reviewed and, in some cases, challenged legally.

Why It Matters

Claiming Italian citizenship grants access to:

• The right to live and work in Italy and the EU.
• Healthcare, education, and other public services.
• The ability to pass citizenship to future generations.

Conclusion

Italian citizenship by descent is a powerful connection to your heritage. While the process can be complex and recent legal changes have introduced new challenges, with proper documentation and legal guidance, many applicants successfully reclaim their Italian citizenship through jure sanguinis.

If you’d like help evaluating your eligibility or starting the process, at Fast Track Italian Citizenship we are happy to assist. Reach out at ciao@fastrackitaliancitizenship.com and start your Italian journey!