Italy has usually based its right of citizenship on the principle of “ius sanguinis (blood relation), and this principle has led to a more limited citizenship gain. However, the new regulations in the citizenship law as of 2025 have brought important changes both in legal and societal ways. These new regulations could affect both the social fabric in Italy and the European Union (EU).
1. New Citizenship Law Regulations in Italy
Italy’s new citizenship laws are evidently different than prior immigrant policies. Especially the harsh conditions for citizenship applications are capable of affecting the social structure in the country and the economic equations.
Italy’s citizenship laws were traditionally based on the principle of “ius sanguinis (blood relation)”, meaning even if one is born in Italy, one parent must be Italian to apply for citizenship. But this regulation has brought the condition for the application to be made only through direct family ties. This change will provide a great obstacle for the children of immigrants who were born outside of Italy.
In the new law, a certain time of residency requirement is also predicted to commence. This time, formerly provided for shorter times for immigrants who continuously resided for set periods, has been changed to three years in this regulation. So, immigrants must reside in Italy continuously for at least three years. Participating in various social and economic activities to integrate into the country better will also be required. But these harsh conditions could make the road to citizenship more difficult for many immigrants and potentially affect Italy’s image in its international migration policy.
Italy has also introduced strict rules in terms of language sufficiency.[1] [1] A B1 level of language comprehension is required from the people applying for citizenship. This condition is an important indicator not only for the citizenship application but also for the integration to the country. It is thought that the language barrier will provide a great challenge for many immigrants and will make the integration process more difficult.
The right to dual citizenship has been largely accepted in Italy in the past. But with the new laws, much harsher conditions for dual citizenship have been implemented. Those who demand dual citizenship will have to fulfill only certain requirements.[2] .[2] This will be a major obstacle to especially the immigrant’s children and those who want dual citizenship.
2. Societal Effects
Changes that the new laws will create in the social structure, may result in important effects in terms of societal harmony. Particularly, the effects on immigrants’ social and economic involvement should be studied exhaustively.
Italy’s new regulations may make immigrants’ integration into society more difficult.[3] .[3] This situation will create a significant problem for immigrants facing a language barrier. Immigrants may feel more alienated and their involvement in social life may get more difficult. The implementation of societal harmony may create more social injustice. Increasing obstacles to the societal integration of immigrants may also create more tension among society in Italy. It may lead to the alienation of immigrants, and these groups feel like second-class citizens. This situation may pose a serious threat to societal peace and stability. Also, as a result of these changes, it is possible for the immigrants who integrated into Italy’s societal welfare system to be denied access to social services.
Italy’s new citizenship laws may limit immigrants’ economic contributions. Immigrants may be less integrated into the workforce for reasons of language barriers and long residency durations. This situation may lead to deficiencies in the country’s workforce market and potential economic contractions.
Immigrants in Italy are an important source of the workforce usually construction, farming, and service industries. Workforce deficiencies in these fields could affect the general efficiency of the economy negatively. Additionally, immigrants not participating in the workforce could lead to low-income groups getting more crowded and social injustices deepening.
3. Effects on the EU
Italy’s new citizenship laws could have important effects not only for Italy but also for the EU. Europe is a union that tries to develop joint policies for immigrants, and Italy’s decisions could affect the EU’s immigrant policy.
These changes that Italy made to the citizenship law could lead to inconsistencies with other countries within the EU. EU tries to ensure equal immigrant policies among member countries. But Italy’s new regulations, especially the adoption of a harsher approach that limits immigrants’ rights, could threaten this equality. Other EU countries may take the example of Italy and propose similar laws. These, in turn, could create a huge difference in immigrants within the EU.
It is also possible for Italy’s new laws to shape the EU’s immigrant policies. The European Commission has proposed varying policy offers about the integration of immigrants within the EU and the right to free movement.[4] [4] The changes in Italy will affect how other countries apply these policies. This radical change Italy conducted in its citizenship laws may be an example for other countries within the EU. However, these kinds of changes may have negative effects on the EU’s immigrant policies and integration goals.
In conclusion, the changes in Italy’s citizenship laws have the potential to influence not only Italy but also immigrant policies within the EU. These laws will make immigrants’ process of achieving citizen status more difficult and will cause difficulties in social harmony. The EU may have to follow a path more consistent and more coherent. These changes are expected to affect the immigrant policies within the EU and right for free movement deeply.
[1] Gatti, F. (2025). “Language Requirements for Citizenship in Italy”, European Social Review, 31(2), 132-148. (Date Accessed: 17 April 2025).
[2] Ferhat Kule Hukuk Bürosu, “İtalya’nın Çift Vatandaşlık Düzenlemeleri: Hukuki Yansımalar”, https://ferhatkule.av.tr/italya-vatandaslik-kanununda-son-yapilan-degisiklikler-ve-hukuki-degerlendirme/, (Date Accessed: 17 April 2025).
[3] Fiorelli, G. (2025). “The Role of Language in Migration Integration: Italian Policies.” European Immigration Policy Review, 10(4), 43-56.
[4] Rinaldi, D. (2025). “European Union Citizenship and the Implications of National Reforms.” European Citizenship Journal, 42(4), 189-203.
