So, you’ve spent years digging through dusty parish archives, chasing down birth certificates, and wiring money to translators who charged more than your last vacation. You even scored that golden consulate appointment (no small miracle), walked in with a folder thicker than a lasagna, and thought, finally—my Italian passport is within reach.
Then—boom—Italy dropped Law 74 in spring 2025, and just like that, thousands of people were shut out. Generational limits, retroactive restrictions, and a cold “too bad” for anyone already in the process. After years of work, heartbreak.
But here’s the plot twist: Italy’s courts just threw a legal curveball, and if you’ve been stuck in limbo, this might be your second shot at claiming Italian citizenship by descent.
What Law 74 Did
Law 74 wasn’t a small tweak. It capped how many generations back you can trace eligibility, left mid-process applicants stranded, and even muddied the waters for long-standing “1948 cases” (claims through a female ancestor before 1948). Italy said the law wouldn’t apply retroactively—but for many, it effectively did.
Imagine waiting five years for an appointment, only to be told: sorry, rules changed, try again next lifetime.
The Court Cases That Could Change Everything
Now, two heavyweight legal cases are shaking things up:
The Constitutional Court Hearing (June 24, 2025)
This case tackles the philosophy of it all: can Italy really hand down citizenship forever through bloodlines? The court is still deliberating, but this isn’t the one that helps applicants today—it’s more about the big picture.The Turin Referral (June 25, 2025)
This one is the game-changer. A Turin judge referred Law 74 to the Constitutional Court, arguing that cutting off mid-process applicants was unconstitutional. The case questions whether Italy violated fairness by moving the goalposts after people had already started.
If the court sides with Turin, it could reopen the path for anyone who had started gathering documents, booked consulate appointments, or was preparing their claim before the March 28th cutoff.
Who Still Has a Shot
Born before March 28, 2025? Courts are signaling that you may still be eligible under the old rules, because citizenship by blood is a right at birth—not something a new law can erase.
Already gathering documents or waiting on appointments? You may be able to pivot your application from the consulate to the courts.
1948 cases? Judges are already familiar with these, and now the unfair timing of Law 74 gives them even stronger grounds.
What You Should Do Right Now
Gather your documents — birth, marriage, naturalization records. Get them apostilled, translated, and ready.
Talk to an Italian attorney — one who’s actively filing cases under Law 74. Court filings can bypass the clogged consulate system.
Document your efforts — save emails, screenshots, and appointment bookings. Courts want receipts.
Move quickly — once rulings land, expect a stampede of applications. Those who are “document ready” will be first in line.
The Bottom Line
Law 74 felt like Italy slammed the shutters on citizenship by descent. But thanks to the courts, the window is cracking back open. It’s not automatic—you’ll have to fight for it—but if you’re prepared, this could be your second chance at Italy.
And let’s be honest: if there’s one thing Italy has taught us, it’s that sometimes the best things come after the delay.
👉Want to know exactly what documents to collect, what timelines to track, and how to avoid missing this second chance? We’ve put together a practical checklist for citizenship by descent applicants—so when the doors open, you’re first in line. Grab your copy here →