Italy
Italian Citizenship for Minor Children by Declaration (Article 4, Paragraph 1-bis)
Last reviewed against the official sources below: October 31, 2026.
Article 4, paragraph 1-bis, added by Law 74/2025, lets children of an Italian citizen by birth acquire Italian citizenship through a declaration by their parents or guardian. Source: esteri.it
- If the declaration is made within three years of the child's birth (or of a later date when filiation, including adoption, is established), the child can acquire citizenship while living abroad.
- After three years, the child must legally live in Italy for at least two continuous years for the declaration to take effect.
- At 18 the person can renounce, if they hold another citizenship.
Transitional deadline
Declarations can also be made, until 11:59 PM Rome time on May 31, 2029, for children who were minors on May 24, 2025 and whose parent is an iure sanguinis citizen under letters a), a-bis) or b) of Article 3-bis. Source: esteri.it
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