Italy Updates Citizenship Declaration Deadlines
The Italian government has extended the deadline for eligible minors of Italian descent to file 'benefit-of-law' citizenship declarations until May 31, 2029. This extension provides more time for expat families with Italian heritage to secure EU passports and eases the administrative burden on consulates.
Italy Updates Citizenship Declaration Deadlines
Italy has officially extended the window for eligible minors of Italian descent to secure their citizenship status. Under Law No. 26, passed in February 2026, parents now have until May 31, 2029, to file a declaration of intent for children born abroad. This "benefit-of-law" provision applies specifically to minors who were under 18 on May 24, 2025.
The extension comes as a relief for families facing massive consular backlogs in the Americas and Australia. By pushing the deadline back three years from the original 2026 cutoff, the Italian government is giving parents more time to secure appointments and gather the necessary paperwork without the risk of their children aging out of the process.
Who is eligible
This update primarily impacts expat families and digital nomads with Italian heritage. It targets "jure sanguinis" descendants where at least one parent was an Italian citizen at the time of the child's birth. While these minors are often already considered citizens by birth, this formal declaration "perfects" their status, allowing them to obtain an EU passport.
For the nomadic community, this simplifies long-term mobility. Holding an Italian passport grants full residency and work rights across all 27 EU member states, making it a powerful tool for those looking to base their operations in Europe indefinitely.
Next steps for parents
If your family qualifies, you should start the documentation process immediately despite the extended deadline. Local nomad news suggests that processing delays at the provincial level remain common.
- Gather full, apostilled civil records, including birth certificates and proof of parentage.
- Monitor the Prenot@Mi platform, as new appointment slots are expected to open starting in April 2026.
- Ensure your AIRE (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) registration is up to date, as most consulates require this before processing citizenship claims.
There are no specific new fees associated with this extension beyond standard legalization and consular costs. You must file the declaration at your competent Italian consulate or embassy by 11:59 PM Rome time on the final deadline.
Read our full Italy guide for the complete picture.