Italian consulates have announced that the Budget Law for 2026 amends the rules for acquiring citizenship for minor children born abroad to Italian citizens by descent.
In particular, the amendments provide that the declarations made by parents – at least one of whom is an Italian citizen by birth – of minor children born abroad who do not automatically acquire Italian citizenship, may be submitted within three years (instead of within one year) from the birth of the minor (or from the later date on which filiation, including adoptive filiation, to an Italian citizen is established).
At the same time, such declarations can now be made free of charge – the previous EUR 250 fee has been cancelled.
These amendments entered into force on January 1, 2026. For this reason, the waiver of fees will apply only to applications submitted from that date onward, and no refund is provided for applications already submitted.
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