Position Paper on Law No. 74/2025: Legal and Ethical Objections to Recent Reforms in Italian Citizenship Law

 

Prepared for Public Interest, Legal Advocacy, and Policy Review
Date: [6th june 2025]]

 

 

 

1. Executive Summary

 

Law No. 74 of 23 May 2025 introduced sweeping reforms to Italy’s citizenship framework. While presented as a tool to streamline consular procedures and reinforce national identity, the law imposes disproportionate and retroactive burdens on millions of descendants of Italian citizens around the world. It undermines long-standing legal principles, obstructs lawful claims, and fractures ties between Italy and its global diaspora.

 

This position paper sets out the key legal objections, human impact, and viable alternatives, and calls for a reconsideration or repeal of the most restrictive aspects of the law.

 

2. Key Changes Introduced by Law No. 74/2025

 

The law includes the following provisions:

 

Limits citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) to individuals with a parent or grandparent born in Italy, effectively disqualifying all great-grandchildren and later generations.

 

Requires that the Italian ancestor held only Italian citizenship at the time of death or birth of the descendant, denying eligibility to those whose ancestors acquired foreign nationality — even automatically.

 

Introduces a strict cut-off date (27 March 2025) for submission under the previous law, without exceptions for administrative delays or incomplete records caused by public offices.

 

Raises the application fee to €600 per adult applicant.

 

3. Legal and Constitutional Objections

 

A. Violation of the Principle of Legal Certainty and Non-Retroactivity

 

Retroactive laws that invalidate legal processes already underway violate the principle of legal certainty, a cornerstone of constitutional and EU law. Applicants who gathered documents, requested records, or submitted forms in good faith are now disqualified due to bureaucratic delays — not personal negligence.

 

Precedent:

 

Italian Constitutional Court, Decision No. 236/2007: “Retroactive legislation affecting pending rights must be justified by overriding interests and proportionate in effect.”

 

B. Discriminatory Generational Cutoff

 

Limiting citizenship by descent to grandchildren arbitrarily excludes legitimate descendants who maintain cultural, familial, and legal ties to Italy. This fails the test of proportionality under Article 3 of the Italian Constitution (Equality before the law) and may violate Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

 

C. Due Process Violations

 

Many applicants were unable to meet the March 2025 deadline due to Comune and consulate inaction, not personal failure. These individuals are now punished without access to a fair remedy — violating Article 24 of the Italian Constitution (right to legal protection).

 

4. Global Human Impact

 

The law disproportionately affects citizens of:

 

Brazil (approx. 30 million Italian descendants)

 

Argentina (20+ million)

 

United States, Canada, Australia, UK (millions with proven lineage)

 

South Africa, Venezuela, France, Uruguay and others

Many of these individuals:

Have grandparents or great-grandparents who left Italy out of necessity

Have preserved cultural heritage through language, religion, names, and records

Have visited, invested in, or moved to Italy with full intention of reconnecting with ancestral roots

 

The law severs legitimate transgenerational bonds and creates a legal barrier to diaspora reintegration, weakening Italy’s historical outreach to its emigrant communities.

5. Alternative Models from Comparative Jurisdictions

Other countries with large diasporas provide more inclusive and modern frameworks:

 

Country Descent Policy Notes

Ireland Citizenship by descent to great-grandchildren With registration
Poland No generational limit if lineage is proven Similar to pre-2025 Italy
Portugal Simplified citizenship for Sephardic descendants and diaspora Focus on cultural connection
Germany Restored citizenship rights for Nazi-exiled families Reconnection across generations

 

These models show that lineage-based citizenship can coexist with administrative efficiency and national identity goals — without exclusion or punishment.

 

6. Recommendations and Proposals

 

To address administrative concerns without violating fairness or heritage rights, the following reforms are proposed:

 

A. Grandfather Exception for Pending Applications

 

All applicants who initiated document collection or municipal requests before 27 March 2025 should be allowed to complete their application under the prior rules, regardless of Comune delays.

 

B. Flexible Generational Framework

 

Citizenship by descent should be recognized for great-grandchildren if proof of uninterrupted lineage is provided, as under the previous law.

 

C. Dual Citizenship Tolerance

 

The requirement that ancestors must not have held another nationality is contrary to modern norms and should be repealed or mitigated by examining the circumstances of naturalization (e.g., involuntary, automatic at birth, etc.).

 

D. Digital Infrastructure Investment

 

Rather than restrict rights, Italy should modernize its consular and municipal systems — using digital document verification and AI-assisted processing — to manage volume efficiently and fairly.

 

7. Conclusion

 

Law No. 74/2025, while designed to address bureaucratic burden, has done so by denying rightful claims and weakening the constitutional, cultural, and legal basis for Italian citizenship. It violates principles of equality, legal certainty, and diaspora inclusion.

 

We urge the Italian Parliament, Constitutional Court, and Ministry of the Interior to review and amend this law, and to ensure that citizenship by descent remains an accessible and respected path for all those who seek to reconnect with their Italian heritage.

 

My family name in Italiy from Taomina- Cusmano.

 

 here is the full Italian translation of the position paper

 

📄 Memorandum di Posizione sulla Legge n. 74/2025: Obiezioni Giuridiche ed Etiche alla Riforma della Cittadinanza Italiana

Redatto per finalità pubbliche, legali e di revisione politica

 

Data: [6th June 2025]

 

1. Sintesi Esecutiva

 

La Legge n. 74 del 23 maggio 2025 ha introdotto una riforma radicale del sistema di cittadinanza italiana. Sebbene presentata come misura per snellire le procedure consolari e rafforzare l'identità nazionale, la legge impone oneri sproporzionati e retroattivi a milioni di discendenti di cittadini italiani nel mondo. Essa compromette principi giuridici consolidati, ostacola rivendicazioni legittime e indebolisce i legami tra l’Italia e la sua diaspora globale.

Questo documento espone le principali obiezioni giuridiche, l’impatto umano globale e propone alternative praticabili, chiedendo la revisione o l’abrogazione degli aspetti più restrittivi della legge.

 

2. Cambiamenti Chiave Introdotti dalla Legge n. 74/2025

 

La legge prevede:

Il limite della cittadinanza per discendenza (jure sanguinis) ai soli figli o nipoti di cittadini italiani nati in Italia, escludendo pronipoti e generazioni successive.

 

L'obbligo che l’antenato italiano non abbia mai acquisito un’altra cittadinanza, anche se automaticamente.

 

Una scadenza rigida al 27 marzo 2025 per la presentazione delle domande secondo la normativa precedente, senza eccezioni per ritardi amministrativi.

 

Un aumento della tassa di richiesta a €600 per ogni adulto richiedente.

 

3. Obiezioni Costituzionali e Giuridiche

 

A. Violazione del Principio di Certezza del Diritto e di Non Retroattività

 

L’applicazione retroattiva della legge invalida le pratiche già avviate, contravvenendo al principio di certezza del diritto, tutelato dalla Costituzione e dal diritto europeo. Chi ha agito in buona fede ma è stato bloccato dai ritardi comunali ora viene escluso.

 

Precedente:

 

Corte Costituzionale Italiana, Sentenza n. 236/2007: “La retroattività normativa che incide su diritti pendenti deve essere giustificata da interessi superiori e proporzionata negli effetti.”

 

B. Discriminazione Generazionale

 

Limitare la cittadinanza ai soli nipoti esclude arbitrariamente discendenti che mantengono legami documentati e culturali con l’Italia. Ciò viola l’art. 3 della Costituzione Italiana e potenzialmente l’art. 21 della Carta dei Diritti Fondamentali dell’Unione Europea.

 

C. Violazione del Diritto al Ricorso (Art. 24 Cost.)

 

Molti richiedenti non hanno rispettato la scadenza del marzo 2025 per cause non imputabili a loro, ma per inadempienze amministrative. Sono ora privi di tutela, in violazione dell’art. 24 della Costituzione.

 

4. Impatto Umano Globale

 

Questa legge colpisce in modo sproporzionato i cittadini di:

 

 

 

Brasile (circa 30 milioni di discendenti italiani)

 

 

 

Argentina (oltre 20 milioni

Stati Uniti, Canada, Australia, Regno Unito

Sudafrica, Venezuela, Francia, Uruguay, ecc.

 

 

Molti di questi individui:

Sono discendenti di emigrati italiani per necessità storiche

Hanno mantenuto legami culturali vivi (nome, lingua, religione, tradizioni)

Hanno viaggiato, investito o si sono trasferiti in Italia per riabbracciare le proprie radici

 

La legge recide legami legittimi transgenerazionali e ostacola il reinserimento di membri della diaspora, minando il ruolo storico dell’Italia come patria madre.

 

5. Modelli Alternativi da Ordinamenti Comparati

Altri Paesi con grandi diaspore hanno adottato approcci più inclusivi:

 

Paese Politica di Discendenza Note

 

 

Irlanda Cittadinanza estesa fino ai pronipoti Con registrazione

 

Polonia Nessun limite generazionale se documentata la discendenza Simile alla normativa italiana pre-2025

 

Portogallo Accesso facilitato per discendenti sefarditi e diaspora Valore del legame storico e culturale

 

Germania Restituzione della cittadinanza agli esuli del nazismo Reintegro generazionale

 

Questi modelli dimostrano che una cittadinanza fondata sul sangue e sull’identità culturale può coesistere con efficienza amministrativa e controllo consolare — senza esclusione arbitraria.

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

6. Raccomandazioni

 

 

 

Per gestire meglio il volume di richieste senza ledere diritti legittimi, si propongono:

 

 

 

A. Clausola di Salvaguardia per Pratiche Iniziate

 

Tutti coloro che hanno avviato formalmente la raccolta documentale prima del 27 marzo 2025 dovrebbero poter completare l’iter secondo le vecchie regole.

 

B. Reintroduzione della Discendenza Estesa

 

Riconoscere la cittadinanza anche ai pronipoti, se è dimostrabile la linea genealogica continua.

 

C. Revisione della Regola sulla Doppia Cittadinanza

 

L’esclusione automatica di chi discende da antenati naturalizzati viola prassi internazionali moderne. Occorre valutare caso per caso.

 

D. Investimento in Digitalizzazione Consolare

 

Invece di limitare i diritti, l’Italia dovrebbe potenziare la rete consolare e comunale con strumenti digitali e tecnologie AI per migliorare l'efficienza.

 

7. Conclusione

 

La Legge n. 74/2025, nata per risolvere problemi organizzativi, ha finito per negare diritti fondati e allontanare milioni di persone dal loro patrimonio storico e giuridico italiano. Si auspica che Parlamento, Corte Costituzionale e Ministero dell’Interno rivedano o riformino la legge per ristabilire un equilibrio tra efficienza amministrativa e giustizia identitaria.

 

Grazie 

 

Cognome di mia fagmilia in italia- Cusmano a Taomina.

 

❗What Does the Failed Referendum Mean?
The referendum on easing citizenship rules and workers' rights failed due to low voter turnout (just 30% nationally, with even lower turnout in regions like Sicily). Under Italian law, for a referendum to be binding, at least 50% of eligible voters must participate. That didn’t happen.

So, is it too late for the Constitutional Court to act?
No — not at all.
The Constitutional Court’s role is separate from referenda. In fact, what just happened may even increase the importance of legal challenges to the recent restrictive citizenship laws, including:

Legislative Decree 36/2025, converted into Law No. 74/2025
The retroactive and potentially unconstitutional restrictions now facing descendants of Italian emigrants
The Constitutional Court still has full power to:

Strike down or reinterpret parts of Law 74/2025,
Declare them unconstitutional, or
Provide a constitutionally compliant interpretation that preserves access to citizenship for affected individuals.
 
🔍 The Failed Referendum: What It Shows
The public wasn’t mobilised or informed enough, likely due to lack of government support and active discouragement from PM Meloni and her party.
The court of public opinion failed, but this doesn’t invalidate the court of constitutional law.
The ruling party may use this to claim "victory," but legal inconsistencies and injustices remain — and those are for the courts to decide.
 
⚖️ What Comes Next Legally?
The Constitutional Court hearing on June 24, 2025 — stemming from the Bologna judge’s referral — is still going ahead. It will:

Review whether parts of Law No. 74/2025 violate the Italian Constitution,
Possibly open the door to review other articles, if judges make additional referrals.
If you file your own appeal or join a coordinated legal case, your specific facts — especially the delay caused by Taormina — could become part of the legal record.

 
Summary:
🗳️ The failed referendum: a setback for public pressure, but not a legal dead end.
⚖️ The Constitutional Court: still a valid and powerful channel for challenging the law.
📣 Your story: relevant, timely, and may now carry even more weight, as a documented consequence of institutional delay and legislative overreach.

Here is an updated section you can add to your petition — addressing the failed referendum and reinforcing the urgency of judicial review:

 

 

 

📢 Petition Update – June 2025

 

Why the Role of the Constitutional Court Is Now More Crucial Than Ever

 

On June 9, 2025, Italy held a national referendum aiming to ease citizenship laws, including a proposal to reduce the residency requirement for naturalisation from ten years to five. Despite months of campaigning by civil society groups, unions, and advocates, the referendum was declared invalid due to low voter turnout — only about 30% of eligible voters participated, far short of the 50% required to make the result binding.

 

This failure, however, does not negate the constitutional concerns raised by the passage of Law No. 74 of May 23, 2025, which introduced retroactive, restrictive conditions for descendants of Italian citizens born abroad. These changes have:

 

Stripped citizenship rights from applicants overnight,

 

Ignored the realities of emigration history, and

 

Violated the principle of non-retroactivity of law and equality before the law.

 

 

The Constitutional Court now stands as the last and most appropriate authority to safeguard the integrity of the Italian legal system. The Court will hear a challenge to the law on June 24, 2025, and we urge it to:

 

Reaffirm the rights of Italian descendants based on constitutional principles,

 

Recognize the administrative delays (such as delayed issuance of documents by local authorities) that have unjustly penalized applicants,

 

Offer a constitutionally compliant interpretation that preserves inclusiveness, lineage rights, and fair access.

 

The failure of the referendum does not legitimize injustice — it only highlights how democratic processes can be undermined when a government dissuades participation. Now, more than ever, the judiciary must act to correct the legislative imbalance.

 

We call upon the Constitutional Court, lawmakers, and all European institutions to acknowledge these facts and ensure that Italian citizenship — as a matter of identity and history — is protected, not politicized.