Giorgia Meloni on Citizenship
TL;DR
Giorgia Meloni advocates for stricter Italian citizenship laws, aiming to limit the 'right of blood' to recent, authentic ancestral ties.
Key Points
Her government enacted a decree on March 28, 2025, to restrict citizenship based on jus sanguinis to descendants within two generations under specific conditions.
She strongly opposed a June 2025 referendum proposing to reduce the required residency period for non-EU naturalisation from ten to five years.
Meloni stated that the existing law for granting citizenship was already excellent and among the most open in Europe, citing over 213,500 grants in 2023.
Summary
Giorgia Meloni's government enacted a decree in March 2025 to curb abuses in the granting of Italian citizenship based on jus sanguinis (right of blood). She asserts that citizenship is a serious matter reserved for those with an authentic link to the nation, arguing against granting it based on distant ancestry alone. This stance was exemplified by her opposition to a referendum that sought to ease naturalisation requirements, which she urged people to abstain from voting on, claiming the current system is already open.
The legislative change introduced restrictions, limiting transmission to within two generations under specific conditions, which critics argue severs ties with large diaspora communities, particularly in South America. While she expressed an open mind to evaluating sensible solutions for those turning 18 who have a right to citizenship by birth, Meloni indicated strong support for the restrictive direction taken on ancestry claims, aligning her view with the majority opinion of Italians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Giorgia Meloni's position is that Italian citizenship by descent, or jus sanguinis, should be reserved for those with an authentic and recent link to the nation. She supported a March 2025 decree that curbed the right by limiting transmission to two generations under specific conditions.
No, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was strongly against the proposal on easing citizenship rules in the June 2025 referendum. She actively urged Italians to abstain from voting on the measure, which sought to lower the naturalisation residency period.
The Meloni government defended the new citizenship restrictions as necessary to curb abuses of the system and manage the overwhelming number of applications from distant descendants. Officials argued that many sought an EU passport without substantial cultural ties to Italy.
Sources4
Citizenship Lost: How Giorgia Meloni Closed Italy's Door to Millions
Meloni breaks silence and talks about Italian citizenship
Italy holds referendum on easing citizenship rules
Justice for Italian Descendants: Understanding the 2025 Citizenship Reform
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.