Grandchildren of Italians are entitled to Italian citizenship through the principle of ius sanguinis. In 2026, with recent legislative changes, understanding the available paths has become even more important. This complete guide explains everything you need to know to start your process.
📌 Executive Summary
- ✅ Grandchildren have full rights to Italian citizenship, with no generational limit
- ✅ Administrative route remains available for grandchildren (Consulate or Comune)
- ⚖️ Maternal line (woman in the line before 1948) requires a judicial process
- 📅 Timelines: 10+ years in Brazil, 3-6 months in Italy, ~3 years via judicial route
- 💰 Costs: R$ 5,000 to R$ 30,000+ depending on the chosen path
What Is Italian Citizenship by Descent?
Italian citizenship by descent, known as ius sanguinis (right of blood), is one of the fundamental principles of Italian legislation. Unlike countries like the United States, which adopt ius soli (right of soil), Italy transmits citizenship through blood ties, regardless of the place of birth.
This means that if you have an Italian ancestor — whether a grandfather, grandmother, great-grandfather, or great-great-grandmother — you may be entitled to the recognition of Italian citizenship. Italian law imposes no limit on generations, as long as the line of transmission was not interrupted.
🔍 How Ius Sanguinis Works
The right is transmitted automatically at the moment of birth. If your grandfather was Italian when your father was born, and your father was Brazilian-Italian when you were born, you already possess the right — you just need to formally recognize it with the Italian authorities.
Grandchildren of Italians: Rights and Requirements in 2026
Grandchildren of Italians are in a privileged position in the current context. With the changes brought by the Tajani Decree (No. 36/2025), converted into Law 14/2025, grandchildren maintain access to traditional administrative routes, while great-grandchildren and subsequent generations face new restrictions.
Who Is Entitled to Italian Citizenship?
| Degree of Kinship | Entitled? | Available Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children of Italians | ✅ Yes | Administrative or Judicial | Simplest process |
| Grandchildren of Italians | ✅ Yes | Administrative or Judicial | Standard process |
| Great-grandchildren | ⚠️ Yes* | Mandatory Judicial | After Law 14/2025 |
| Great-great-grandchildren+ | ⚠️ Yes* | Mandatory Judicial | Case-by-case analysis |
* The right remains guaranteed by the constitutional principle of ius sanguinis, but the recognition route has changed.
Paternal Line vs. Maternal Line: Understanding the Difference
One of the most important distinctions in the Italian citizenship process is the difference between the paternal and maternal lines. Until January 1st, 1948, Italian women did not transmit citizenship to their children — a reflection of the legislation at the time.
Paternal Line (Male Line)
When the transmission of citizenship occurs exclusively through Italian men, the process can follow either the administrative or judicial route, without special restrictions.
Maternal Line (Woman in the Line Before 1948)
If at any point in your family tree there is an Italian woman whose child was born before January 1st, 1948, recognition must mandatory be done via the judicial route.
⚠️ Practical Example
Maria, an Italian, had a son named Giuseppe in 1945. Giuseppe had a son, Paulo, in 1970. Paulo is your father. In this case, because Maria was a woman and Giuseppe was born before 1948, you will need the judicial route to recognize citizenship.
The good news is that Italian courts have consolidated jurisprudence recognizing the unconstitutionality of this restriction, ensuring favorable decisions in the vast majority of cases.
Where to Apply for Italian Citizenship as a Grandchild
There are three main paths for grandchildren of Italians to recognize their citizenship in 2026:
1. Consular Route in Brazil
Recognition is done through the Italian Consulates in Brazil. It is the most affordable option, but the slowest due to extensive waiting lists.
| Consulate | Estimated Wait Time | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| São Paulo | 10 to 15 years | SP Capital and region |
| Curitiba | 8 to 12 years | PR, SC |
| Porto Alegre | 10 to 14 years | RS |
| Rio de Janeiro | 8 to 12 years | RJ, ES, MG (partial) |
| Belo Horizonte | 6 to 10 years | MG (partial) |
| Recife | 5 to 8 years | NE |
2. Administrative Route in Italy (Comune)
The process in Italy is significantly faster. The applicant must establish legal residency in an Italian municipality (Comune) and present the complete documentation.
✅ Advantages
- • Timeline of 3 to 6 months
- • Faster process
- • Experience living in Italy
❌ Disadvantages
- • Cost of living in Europe
- • Requirement of residency
- • Complex logistics
3. Judicial Route (Court of Rome)
The judicial route is indicated for maternal line cases, excessive delays in consulates, or when there are legal restrictions. The process takes place in the Civil Court of Rome.
| Route | Average Timeline | Estimated Cost | Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consular (Brazil) | 10-15 years | R$ 5,000 - R$ 10,000 | Those who can wait |
| Administrative (Italy) | 3-6 months | R$ 20,000 - R$ 40,000 | Those with availability |
| Judicial | 2-4 years | R$ 15,000 - R$ 30,000 | Maternal line or excessive queue |
Required Documents for Italian Citizenship
Documentation is the heart of the Italian citizenship process. You will need to gather certificates from the entire line of descent, from the Italian ancestor (Dante Causa) to you, the applicant.
Complete List of Documents
📋 Documents of the Italian Ancestor (Dante Causa)
- ☑️ Italian birth certificate (estratto per riassunto)
- ☑️ Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- ☑️ Death certificate
- ☑️ Certificate of Non-Naturalization (CNN - Certidão Negativa de Naturalização) - if they emigrated after 1889
📋 Documents for Each Generation (Father, Grandfather, etc.)
- ☑️ Birth certificate (full transcript/inteiro teor)
- ☑️ Marriage certificate (full transcript/inteiro teor)
- ☑️ Death certificate (if deceased)
📋 Your Documents (Applicant)
- ☑️ Birth certificate (full transcript/inteiro teor)
- ☑️ Marriage certificate (if married)
- ☑️ Identity document (RG/CNH)
- ☑️ Passport (for process in Italy)
Document Preparation
All Brazilian documents must go through three stages:
- Full transcript issuance (inteiro teor): Request updated certificates from the relevant registry offices
- Hague Apostille: International validation of the document
- Sworn translation: Translation into Italian by a certified translator
Legislative Changes in 2025-2026: What You Need to Know
The Italian citizenship landscape has undergone significant transformations recently. Understanding these changes is crucial for planning your process.
Tajani Decree (No. 36/2025)
The Tajani Decree, converted into Law 14/2025, brought important restrictions for the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, mainly for more distant generations (great-grandchildren onwards).
📌 Main Changes
- • Great-grandchildren and subsequent generations: Administrative route blocked; judicial route only
- • Grandchildren: Maintain access to both administrative and judicial routes
- • Children: Process remains unchanged
- • Jurisprudence: Courts have been deciding favorably based on the unconstitutionality of the restrictions
Future Perspectives
Experts in Italian law point out that there is a possibility of reviewing the restrictions, since the principle of ius sanguinis has constitutional protection. Until then, starting the process as soon as possible is the best strategy to avoid further changes.
Common Mistakes That Delay the Process
Knowing the most frequent mistakes can save months (or years) in your Italian citizenship process:
1. Name Discrepancies
The spelling of the Italian ancestor's name often appears differently in Brazilian documents. "Giovanni" might become "João", "Giuseppe" might be "José". These discrepancies need to be corrected through documentary rectification.
2. Inconsistent Dates
Differences in days, months, or years between certificates can stall the process. It is essential to check all dates before submitting the documentation.
3. Incomplete Documents
The lack of a single certificate can prevent progress. Make sure you have the entire documentary chain complete.
4. Not Checking the CNN
The Certificate of Non-Naturalization (CNN) is mandatory when the Italian ancestor arrived in Brazil after 1889. Many forget to request it.
Complete Checklist for Grandchildren
✅ Before Starting
- ☐ Confirm Italian ancestry (family tree)
- ☐ Identify the Dante Causa (Italian ancestor)
- ☐ Check if there is a woman in the line before 1948 (maternal line)
- ☐ Research in archives (FamilySearch, state archives)
- ☐ Consult specialists for documentary analysis
📋 Documentation
- ☐ Obtain the ancestor's Italian certificate
- ☐ Request all Brazilian certificates (full transcript/inteiro teor)
- ☐ Check for name/date discrepancies
- ☐ Request rectifications if necessary
- ☐ Apostille all Brazilian documents
- ☐ Translate into Italian (sworn translator)
- ☐ Request CNN (if applicable)
🎯 Choosing the Route
- ☐ Evaluate timelines and costs of each option
- ☐ Check availability to reside in Italy
- ☐ Consult a specialized lawyer (judicial route)
- ☐ Schedule at the consulate (consular route in Brazil)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, as long as they can prove the direct line of descent and there was no interruption in the transmission of the right (such as voluntary naturalization of the ancestor before the birth of the descendant).
Can great-grandchildren get Italian citizenship in 2026?Yes, however, after Law 14/2025, recognition must be done exclusively through the judicial route. The right remains guaranteed by the constitutional principle of ius sanguinis.
What is the fastest way for grandchildren to obtain citizenship?The administrative route in Italy (Comune) is the fastest, with a timeline of 3 to 6 months. However, it requires legal residency in the country during the process.
What is the maternal line and why does it require a judicial process?The maternal line occurs when there is an Italian woman in the line of descent whose child was born before January 1st, 1948. At that time, women did not transmit citizenship. Italian courts recognize the unconstitutionality of this restriction and grant citizenship by judicial decision.
Is it possible to lose the right to Italian citizenship?The right may be compromised if the Italian ancestor naturalized as Brazilian before the birth of the next descendant in the line. In this case, there is an interruption in transmission.
Can I include my family in the citizenship process?Recognition is individual, but once you obtain citizenship, the process for your minor children is simplified, and it facilitates it for other relatives in the same line.
How long does the Italian citizenship process take for grandchildren?It depends on the route: 10-15 years through the consulate in Brazil, 3-6 months in Italy, or 2-4 years through the judicial route.
Is it worth hiring a consultancy?A specialized consultancy can avoid errors, speed up document collection, and ensure everything is in compliance. It is especially recommended for complex cases or the judicial route.
Why Start the Process Now?
With the constantly changing legislative landscape and increasingly long consular queues, starting the process as soon as possible is the best strategy for those who wish to recognize their Italian citizenship.
🌟 Benefits of Italian Citizenship
- 🇪🇺 Free movement in all European Union countries
- 🎓 Access to European universities with citizen rates
- 💼 Work without a visa in any EU country
- 🏥 European healthcare system
- 👨👩👧 Automatic transmission to children
- ✈️ Strong passport with access to over 180 countries
How Studio Cidadania Can Help
Studio Cidadania specializes in European citizenship processes, with teams in Brazil and Portugal. We offer full support from genealogical research to the final recognition of your Italian citizenship.
Our team analyzes your case, identifies the best route for your process, and accompanies every stage to ensure you achieve your Italian citizenship safely and efficiently.
📞 Speak with a specialist and discover your right to Italian citizenship
Free case evaluation with personalized guidance.
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- → Wealth of Italian Families: ISTAT and Banca d'Italia 2024 Data
- → Italy's Foreign Trade 2025: Record Surplus
📚 Read Also
- Italian Citizenship 2026: Complete Guide to Obtaining Your Recognition
- Italian Citizenship Documents 2026: Complete Guide with Checklist and Essential Tips
- Italian Citizenship for Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren in 2026: Complete Guide with Deadlines, Costs, and Recognition Paths
- Italian Citizenship: Complete Guide to the Right of Blood (Jus Sanguinis) in 2025
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