What changed in the Italian citizenship law on March 15?

Italy’s top court confirmed 2025 caps on citizenship by descent, preserving only applications filed before March 27, 2025. New filings face narrower eligibility. This shifts demand toward EU residency options for families that did not file in time, especially in Canada, where many had planned ancestry-based cases.

If I filed before March 27, 2025, what happens to my case?

Pre–March 27, 2025 filings are preserved under the old rules, subject to standard evidence checks and timelines. Expect heavier queues through 2025–2026. Keep every receipt and message from consulates or courts, maintain updated contact details, and respond fast to any document requests to avoid delays.

What EU alternatives protect mobility if ancestry is no longer viable?

Consider EU residency-by-investment, skilled work permits, study routes, or family reunification where eligible. Each offers different residence rights and potential paths to naturalization. Compare physical presence rules, renewal terms, and language requirements. This lets you secure EU mobility rights now while evaluating a longer route to citizenship later.

How should Canadian investors plan budgets and timelines?

Price legal and government fees in euros, but model them in CAD with a currency buffer. Add costs for translations, apostilles, biometrics, and travel. Use staged retainers tied to milestones. Build extra time for backlogs from preserved cases. Keep a complete document set ready to speed reviews and reduce rework.

Law and Government

March 15: Italian Citizenship Law Upheld; Advisors Eye EU Alternatives

ByDanny Kontos March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

On March 15, Italy’s top court confirmed the Italian citizenship law that caps citizenship by descent from 2025, preserving only filings made before March 27, 2025. This closes a popular route for many Italian-Canadians and shifts attention to EU residency options. For Canadian families and advisors, the ruling reshapes plans, costs, and timelines. We outline what changed, who is affected, and how investment migration strategies can still secure EU mobility rights without guesswork or rushed decisions.