Italy has tightened its citizenship laws, restricting eligibility to those with at least one Italian parent or grandparent. This move aims to curb the surge of applications from people with distant ancestral ties seeking Italian passports for easier global mobility.

With Italy’s passport ranking among the most powerful in the world, the new law shifts the landscape for millions of descendants—especially in South America—who once had an easier pathway to citizenship. Dual nationals may now risk losing their Italian citizenship if they fail to engage with the country through taxes, voting, or passport renewals.

So, what were the old rules, what has changed, and what’s the rationale behind this shift? Click here to read more.