A recent change in Italian law makes obtaining citizenship recognition more expensive. As of January 1, 2024, a provision in the Italian Budget Law (L. 207/2024) increased administrative and court fees in citizenship applications and legal proceedings and changed how these fees are applied.
What’s Changing?
The Italian legal system offers three ways to request citizenship iure sanguinis: by appealing to an Italian court, by submitting an application to the Italian consulate, or by applying to the Italian municipality where the applicant lives.
The new Italian Budget Law has affected all of these. This chart explains the changes.
| Type of procedure | Up until December 31, 2024 | Since January 1, 2025 |
| Court proceeding | €518 per case | €600 per plaintiff |
| Application through the Consulate | €300 per applicant | €600 per applicant |
| Application through the municipality | €16 tax stamp per applicant |
€0-600 per adult applicant €0-300 per vital record |
- Court Fees:
Previously, plaintiffs filing a legal proceeding to have their Italian citizenship recognized paid a court fee of €518 per case, regardless of the number of plaintiffs. However, under the new law, this amount has increased to €600, and more significantly, it must now be paid per plaintiff rather than per proceeding.
This change represents a significant departure for Italian courts, where court fees are typically assessed per case and not per plaintiff. For example, until December 31, 2024, a family of four (three adults and one child) bringing a claim for Italian citizenship through the court, would have paid a single fee of €518. Under the new regulation, the same family must now pay €600 per person, totaling €2,400 — a nearly fivefold increase in cost.
- Consulate Fees:
Italian laws previously required a fee of €300 per person for submitting a citizenship application through an Italian consulate. Following the new provision, this fee has doubled from €300 to €600.
- Municipality Fees:
Local governments now have the option to request additional fees for jus sanguinis citizenship recognition applications. Municipalities may charge up to €600 per application, as well as up to €300 for issuing essential vital records, such as an ancestor’s birth, marriage and death certificate – required for Italian citizenship applications. Unlike the court and consular fees, which are mandatory, municipal fees are at the discretion of local governments. This means that some municipalities may impose these additional charges, while others may choose not to implement them at all.
Why Does This Matter?
This new rule is an unprecedented measure in the Italian legal system. It applies only to citizenship recognition cases and not to other types of legal proceedings, increasing the costs for families seeking recognition of their right to Italian citizenship.
In response to these changes, legal associations and professionals are exploring possible avenues for legal actions aimed at making the path to citizenship more accessible. However, at the moment, this new provision stands.
How This Affects You
If you are considering filing a citizenship claim, it’s important to be aware of these new costs and to plan accordingly. With_Papers’s team of legal experts is closely monitoring how different courts and municipalities interpret the new rule and will continue to provide updates as more clarity emerges.
While challenges to this provision may arise in the future, applicants must currently navigate the process under these new financial constraints. Staying informed and seeking professional guidance can help mitigate risks and ensure a smoother application process.
If you have any questions or concerns about how these changes affect your case, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you navigate this evolving legal landscape and ensure your application is handled as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
To learn more about becoming an Italian citizen and if it is the right path for you, call us at 917-310-2246 or fill out our contact form or schedule a consultation today.
By Chiara Falcolini, Law Clerk @ With_Papers