Ask The Italian Lawyer

Residency in Italy and an Italian residency permit can be easy to confuse because their names sound so similar, but their legal meaning is quite different. Having clarity on that difference can help when working through the process of making Italy home and understanding how these two concepts fit into life in the country. In this episode of Ask The Italian Lawyer hosted by Italian attorney Marco P...

The Constitutional Court’s public statement after the March 11th hearing on the Tajani Decree offers an early indication of what may appear in the final ruling, making it an important update for those following Italian citizenship by descent. With the full judgment still to come and other constitutional matters already in motion, this is an important moment for understanding where things stand wit...

The Constitutional Court hearing on the Tajani decree is the case many families pursuing Italian citizenship by descent have been waiting for. At the heart of it is whether the Tajani decree was constitutionally sound, especially in light of questions around retroactivity, equality under the Italian Constitution, recognition of citizenship at birth, and the impact on those who were already waiting...

Many people looking at options such as the Italian retirement visa, digital nomad visa, investor visa, student visa, work visa, self-employment visa, or spousal visa start asking the same practical question once Italy begins to feel like a real possibility. Timing, location, and procedure can all affect how a move is planned, especially when early assumptions about what can be done after arrival d...

A landmark Palermo court ruling came out in a case heard after the Tajani Decree came into effect. It is an important early signal of how the new rules may be approached once they are tested in court, and why documentation and timing can matter when consular access is part of the background. This development helps frame what kinds of issues are starting to surface around Italian citizenship by des...

A proposed change from the Italian government could reshape how families handle Italian citizenship paperwork for minor children, especially for those affected by Law 74/2025 and the Tajani Decree rules on minors. With the text already approved by the Chamber of Deputies and still needing Senate approval, the key issue is how the updated framework would affect deadlines, eligibility windows, and p...

A key turning point is coming for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), as Italy’s Supreme Court (Corte di Cassazione) is set to address the long disputed “minor issue” that has produced conflicting outcomes across regional courts when an ancestor naturalized while their foreign-born child was still a minor, alongside questions about whether the Tajani Decree’s eligibility changes can b...

When buying property in Italy, many foreign buyers assume the notary’s involvement means their interests are automatically protected, but the reality of the Italian purchase process is more specific, and understanding where the notary’s role begins and ends can shape how you approach due diligence, documents, timelines, and risk before you sign. This episode connects the practical side of buying a...

Applicants pursuing Italian citizenship by descent often ask whether the consular route is still viable in 2026, especially amid recent procedural changes, new application limits, and discussion of a future shift toward a centralized office in Rome. This episode clarifies what currently applies for people residing outside Italy, why consulates remain the required filing channel for now, and how th...

One euro homes in Italy can be an appealing way to buy property in Italy, but they often raise an important legal question for non-EU buyers: does a €1 house purchase affect your right to remain in the country, or do you still need an Italian visa and a residency permit (permesso di soggiorno) to live in Italy legally? This topic matters for anyone considering a one euro house program, relocating...

A bill introduced in the Italian Parliament on January 14, 2026 proposes a shift in how Italian citizenship by descent applications could be handled in the future, pointing toward a centralized procedure rather than the current consular based model. The proposal signals procedural changes that could affect how applications are submitted, managed, and communicated if the bill advances on its stated...

In 2026, the fastest path to Italian citizenship often depends on timing factors that go beyond eligibility, including consular appointment availability, the option to pursue recognition of Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) through the Italian courts when delays become excessive, and how relocating to Italy can change what is possible through a local municipality (comune) based appli...

Several court decisions in Italy are expected in 2026 that may affect how Italian citizenship by descent is interpreted. This is especially relevant for applicants affected by the Tajani Decree of 2025, the minor age issue, questions of retroactive application, and legal challenges tied to constitutional compliance and access to consular appointments. These developments matter for anyone following...

The Italian Golden Visa allows non-EU nationals to obtain residency in Italy by making a qualifying investment. Eligibility is based on the type and minimum amount of investment, whether family members such as a spouse and dependent children can be included, and which options qualify, since direct real estate purchases are excluded in favor of business investments, government bonds, or philanthrop...

The Decreto Flussi 2025 introduced a specific exemption for certain foreign nationals of Italian descent, changing how Italian work visas are handled for applicants from countries such as the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Venezuela, and Uruguay. This update affects how quota limits apply, what requirements still remain in place for employers in Italy, and whether this path realisticall...

Recent changes introduced by the Tajani Decree have created specific rules for how Italian citizens can register minor children born abroad, with different outcomes depending on a child’s age and when the registration request is submitted. This topic is especially relevant for families living outside Italy who are navigating Italian citizenship by descent, consular birth registration, and a tempor...

The Italian Constitutional Court is preparing to review the Tajani Decree and its conversion into Law 74 of 2025, raising new questions for people pursuing Italian citizenship by descent and wondering how this constitutional review may influence their court cases. Applicants want clarity on whether timelines could shift, how pending filings might be affected, and if waiting for a ruling offers any...

A bill introduced by Senator Bernie Moreno that aims to eliminate dual citizenship has prompted questions about what it could mean for Americans with Italian citizenship by descent and for those planning to apply, especially given long standing constitutional protections against the forced loss of citizenship. This situation brings attention to how US law treats dual nationals, the limits on gover...

A request for older Italian records can raise practical questions for anyone dealing with civil status documentation in Italy, especially when the information being searched for predates the period in which municipal registries were formally kept. Understanding how Italian comuni (municipalities) manage their archives, when religious records carry legal value, and what options exist when local off...

Many people researching Italian citizenship and residency wonder if Italy offers a citizenship by investment option like other EU countries. Understanding the difference between Italy’s investor visa and citizenship by investment programs elsewhere is essential for anyone considering moving, investing, or establishing long-term residence in Italy. In this episode of Ask The Italian Lawyer hosted b...

Many people applying for Italian citizenship by descent wonder if becoming an Italian citizen means they will need to start paying taxes in Italy, especially if they continue living abroad. The connection between citizenship, residency, and taxation often causes confusion for dual citizens and future applicants alike. In this episode of Ask The Italian Lawyer hosted by Italian attorney Marco Permu...

Many Italian citizens residing abroad wonder whether they’re still covered under Italy’s national healthcare system and the Italian national health insurance. While many assume citizenship guarantees access, the reality depends heavily on residency status and international agreements. The discussion clarifies when Italians abroad are eligible for healthcare in Italy, how temporary coverage works d...

Even though Italian citizenship by descent does not expire or need to be renewed, many wonder whether it can ever be lost and under what conditions that might happen. Between past rules that once caused loss of citizenship and recent updates affecting how it may be reacquired, there are still points of confusion for those with Italian heritage or dual citizenship. In this episode of Ask The Italia...

Many people assume that buying a house in Italy automatically grants them the right to live there, but Italian immigration law works differently. Property ownership can be helpful in certain visa applications, yet it is not in itself a basis for residency. For those considering citizenship by descent, spousal residency permits, or various visa categories such as the investor visa, elective residen...

If you need to buy property in Italy but can’t be physically present, giving power of attorney to an Italian lawyer can allow the process to move forward on your behalf. This raises important legal questions about how such a document must be drafted, executed, and validated across jurisdictions, particularly when signed before a U.S. notary and requiring an apostille or certified translation into...