Italy’s New Citizenship Law Could Shut Out Digital Nomads of Italian Descent
Especially Italian-Americans
Italy has long captured the imagination of digital nomads and global remote workers, particularly those with Italian ancestry. For decades, descendants of Italian emigrants—especially in the U.S.—have seen citizenship jure sanguinis (by descent) as a bridge to reconnect with their roots, move to Europe, and claim the benefits of an EU passport.
But that dream may soon be much harder to achieve.
On the 20th May 2025, Italy passed a new citizenship law that introduces strict limits on eligibility for those born abroad. The most significant change? Citizenship by descent is now automatically granted only to children and grandchildren of Italian citizens, and only if the parent or grandparent held exclusively Italian citizenship and lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the descendant’s birth.
What’s more, if the person was born with another nationality, they no longer acquire Italian citizenship automatically—a rule that now applies even retroactively, unless an application was filed or a consular appointment was confirmed before March 27, 2025.
These rules don’t just impact new applicants—they affect millions of descendants of Italian emigrants around the world, especially in the U.S., where generations of Italian-Americans have seen Italy as a second homeland.
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has strongly criticized the changes. “We’re disappointed,” said NIAF President Robert Allegrini, warning that the law “makes it even more difficult” for Italian-Americans to reclaim a piece of their heritage. NIAF pushed for key exemptions, and managed to protect those already well into their application process, but the law still represents a major narrowing of access.
So what’s next for those who had hoped to live and work in Italy?
Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa, launched in 2024, may be the only remaining legal path. It allows remote workers to live in Italy without needing Italian ancestry, but it requires a valid work contract, proof of sufficient income, private health insurance, and does not grant freedom of movement across the EU like a passport would.
In short, while digital nomads can still look to Italy as a destination, those with Italian roots—especially Italian-Americans—will now face the same hurdles as everyone else. A process that once felt like a right of return may soon feel more like just another bureaucratic roadblock.