Italy’s Senate moves citizenship filings to Rome in 2029

Consulate lines may “vanish,” but the wait could grow: Italy’s Senate approves a Rome-based hub for Italian citizenship cases starting in 2029.

Italy’s Senate approved on Wednesday (01/14) a bill that reshapes the administrative pathway for Italian citizenship recognition, a shift felt most by Italian descendants living abroad. The A.C. 2369–A proposal creates a new “Central Service” inside the MAECI (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), headquartered in Rome, which will take over the opening of cases that are currently initiated at consulates worldwide.

The measure passed with 76 votes in favor and 55 against, with no abstentions. Under the new rule, cases will be centralized starting in 2029 as part of a broader reform of services provided to citizens and businesses abroad.

What changes for Italian citizenship recognition

Under the bill, administrative recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis will no longer be initiated at consulates. Starting in 2029, filings move to the MAECI’s new Central Service in Rome.

The maximum review period also expands, increasing from 24 to 36 months. For applicants, that officially widens the expected waiting window for citizenship by descent handled outside Italy.

During the transition, consulates will be allowed to accept only as many applications as they finalized in the previous year, with a minimum of 100 per location. That cap may change appointment availability and planning for many families.

Concerns: slower pace and new bottlenecks

Italian jurist David Manzini, CEO of Nostrali Cidadania Italiana, argues the centralization may slow the process. “Centralizing cases under a new body tries to make citizenship recognition slower. It would ‘reset’ consulate lines, but that doesn’t mean it’s positive for descendants,” he says.

He also warns that an annual cap could make the line disappear on paper without expanding access. In his view, a limit tied to government capacity may be challenged: “A fundamental right like citizenship cannot be capped based on the Italian government’s service capacity.”

While the government says it will invest and expand staffing, the estimate cited is around 80 hires for the new Rome unit. By comparison, the Italian Consulate in São Paulo alone has about 60 staff focused on citizenship and still faces heavy demand and overload.

Another practical concern is paperwork. For adults, only original paper documents will be accepted and must be sent to MAECI in Rome, raising fears of lost certificates at a time when Italy’s technology modernization remains a frequent topic.

Key points highlighted in the announcement

Starting in 2029, administrative recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis will be handled by MAECI’s new Central Service in Rome.

The review deadline increases from 24 to 36 months.

During the transition, consulates may accept only as many requests as they completed the year before, with a minimum of 100 per consulate.

For adults, only original paper documents will be accepted and must be mailed to MAECI in Rome.

Official communications will take place via email.

Consulates remain responsible only for recognizing citizenship for minors who are children of Italian citizens.

Why the judicial route is back in focus

The change comes as many descendants track the review of Law 74/2025, which restricted recognition by introducing generational limits. Italy’s Constitutional Court has a hearing scheduled for March 11 on the matter.

Manzini says that if the Court finds the rule unconstitutional, lawmakers may be pushed to revise or repeal it: “If the Constitutional Court recognizes the unconstitutionality of the new rule, it may urge Parliament and the Government to revise or revoke the new law, bringing it in line with constitutional principles.”

With frequent legislative changes—Law 74/2025 and now 2369—he argues the judicial pathway remains the fastest and safest option. He advises interested applicants to begin as soon as possible, anticipating further changes and potential cost increases tied to fees and exchange rates.

Service

Nostrali Cidadania Italiana

(54) 3533–4740

@nostralicidadaniaitaliana

Foto: Nostrali Divulgação