Italy moves to curb ‘right of blood’ citizenship claims

Citizenship claims on the basis of blood ties will be limited to two generations, whereas previously going back four generations back could secure a passport.

Italy’s government on Friday announced it would tighten citizenship laws to put a stop to people going too far back in their family history to make a case for citizenship.

As it currently stands, according to Italy’s “right of blood” or “jure sanguinis” laws, people with proof of an Italian ancestor alive after March 17, 1861, when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, can get nationality.

Italy says acquiring passport ‘serious’ and ‘not a game’
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says the system is being abused and that Italian consulates around the world are being inundated with passport applications.

“Being an Italian citizen is a serious thing. It’s not a game to get a passport that allows you to go shopping in Miami,” Tajani said at a press conference.

Tajani said the aim was to “boost the affective link between Italy and the citizen abroad.”

“Many descendants of emigrants will still be able to obtain Italian citizenship, but precise limits will be set, above all to avoid abuse,” Tajani said, citing the “commercialisation of Italian passports.”