The 2026 Budget Law introduced important changes regarding the acquisition of Italian citizenship by children born abroad to parents of whom at least one is a citizen by birth, in cases where citizenship is not automatically granted.
What has changed
– More time to submit the declaration
The declaration of citizenship can now be submitted within three years of the child’s birth (or recognition of parentage, including adoption), instead of the previous deadline of one year.
– The procedure is free of charge
The €250 fee for these declarations is no longer required.
This exemption also applies to declarations to be submitted by 31 May 2026 for children of at least one Italian citizen by birth who were still minors on 24 May 2025.
– When do the new rules come into effect?
The new provisions apply to applications submitted from 1st January 2026.
No refunds will be made for applications submitted up to 31st December 2025.
Essential regulatory references
- Legge di Bilancio 2026, art. 1, comma 513 (Legge n. 199/2025)
- Legge 5 febbraio 1992, n. 91, art. 4, comma 1-bis, lett. b)
- Decreto-legge n. 36/2025, art. 1, comma 1-ter
