Italian Citizenship for Argentines After the 2025 Reform: Who Still Qualifies in 2026

For generations, millions of Argentine families have treasured their Italian roots, and many people planned to claim an Italian passport through a great grandparent. In March 2025, Italy changed the rules, and many of those plans were suddenly put on hold.

As of October 2026, the new limits remain in force. Italy's Constitutional Court upheld them in 2026, and a further challenge is now with the EU Court of Justice. This article explains, in simple words, who still qualifies and what you can do now.

What Changed in 2025

On 28 March 2025, the Italian government issued an emergency decree, known as the Tajani decree. Parliament confirmed it with changes through Law 74/2025, which took effect on 24 May 2025. Under the new rules, a person born abroad who also holds another citizenship is generally treated as never having acquired Italian citizenship, unless they fall into one of the exceptions.

Who Still Qualifies

According to legal trackers updated in September 2026, the main exceptions are:

• People who filed a citizenship claim at a consulate by 27 March 2025 at 23:59 Rome time.
• People who had a consular appointment confirmed by that cut off.
• People who filed a court claim in Italy by that cut off.
• People whose parent or grandparent holds, or held at death, only Italian citizenship.
• People whose Italian parent lived in Italy for two continuous years after becoming a citizen and before the child was born.

This means the key question is no longer how many generations back your Italian ancestor is. What matters is whether your case fits one of these specific conditions.

What the Courts Have Said

The EU Court of Justice case could take a long time. Some legal analysts do not expect a decision before late 2027. Until then, the 2025 rules apply.

If You Applied Before the Cut Off

If your file was submitted or your appointment was confirmed before the cut off, your case should be decided under the old rules. Keep every receipt, email and confirmation number. Italian courts have also confirmed that the 2025 law does not apply to court cases filed before the cut off.

What You Can Do Now

1. Gather your family documents and check which generation held only Italian citizenship.
2. Check whether any of the exceptions applies to your exact situation.
3. If you were already in the process, collect proof of your filing or appointment date.
4. Speak to a qualified Italian citizenship lawyer before paying for any new process.
5. Be very careful with agencies promising that the old rules still apply to new claims.

Why This Matters So Much in Argentina

Argentina has one of the largest communities of Italian descent in the world, and for many families an Italian passport meant easier travel, study and work in Europe. That is why the 2025 changes caused so much worry. Many people who had been gathering birth, marriage and death certificates for years suddenly found that their great grandparent's line was no longer enough on its own.

If you do qualify under the current rules, do not rush. Make sure every document is complete, correctly translated and legalised where needed, because consulates now handle a limited number of cases each year. A well prepared file avoids losing your place to simple errors.

Before You Rely on Any Figure

This summary reflects Italian laws, court rulings and reliable legal trackers as of October 2026. Each family history is different, and small details can change the outcome. Rules, fees and dates change, so check the official government website on the day you act. For questions about your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or an authorised representative. World Visa Academy is a training academy; it does not file applications or guarantee any visa or outcome.

The Honest Summary

The door to Italian citizenship by descent is much narrower than before, and Italy's highest court has kept it that way. Some Argentines still qualify, especially those with a parent or grandparent who held only Italian citizenship, or those who applied before the cut off. Check your family tree carefully and get qualified advice before spending money.

Key takeaways

• Since March 2025, Italy limits citizenship by descent for people born abroad.
• Applications filed or appointments confirmed by 27 March 2025 follow the old rules.
• Italy's Constitutional Court upheld the new limits in a ruling published on 30 April 2026.
• A question has been sent to the EU Court of Justice, but the new rules stay in force meanwhile.