Italy's Constitutional Court backs government on citizenship law, endangering diaspora's citizenship by descent

Italy’s Constitutional Court signaled support for the government’s 2025 emergency decree restricting citizenship for people born abroad, a move that would narrow or end the longstanding ius sanguinis-based right for descendants of Italians. The court said the questions raised were partially unfounded or inadmissible and is expected to issue a detailed verdict in coming weeks, a development that could affect millions of Italians living outside the country. The law would allow citizenship to those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy and effectively bar dual citizenship for the diaspora, complicating and delaying applications, which have already been lengthy and costly. Some lawyers and advocates are considering EU court routes as a potential remedy while many families brace for a protracted fight.