The diaspora dream of returning to one’s ancestral home may now be out of reach for many second and third-generation Australians.

A 165-year-old law which granted Italian citizenship to anyone with Italian lineage dating back to great-grandparents is expected to be reversed, effectively shutting out millions of people hoping to use their ancestry to obtain the coveted European passport.

Over 1.1 million Australians identified as having Italian heritage during the 2021 Census.

A 165-year-old law which granted citizenship to people with Italian lineage dating back to their great-grandparents may soon change. (Getty)

It may soon become impossible for many them to use their bloodline to officially live ‘la dolce vita’ and become Italian citizens.

A controversial 2025 emergency decree which seeks to tighten eligibility criteria for Italian citizenship is likely to be upheld despite a constitutional challenge.

Under the old “jure sanguinis” (right of blood) rule, anyone who could prove they had an Italian ancestor alive after March 17, 1861 – when the Kingdom of Italy was founded – could obtain citizenship.

It meant many Australians with Italian ancestry could apply for citizenship by proving their lineage through great-grandparents.

But this is no longer the case.

A controversial 2025 emergency decree which seeks to tighten eligibility criteria for Italian citizenship may soon be upheld. (Getty)

The decree states that only those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy can obtain an Italian passport.

The imminent legislation also denies citizenship to those with an Italian parent or grandparent who held dual citizenship at the time of their birth.

Residents will need to exclusively have Italian citizenship to pass it on to their children.

A citizen parent can only pass down citizenship to a child if they were a resident in Italy for at least two continuous years, after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the birth or adoption of the applicant.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said he wanted to overhaul an outdated citizenship system.

He claimed the Italian government was cracking down on “abusers” who only wanted an Italian passport for ease of travel.

The Italian passport was ranked as the third most powerful in the world, according to the Henley Passport Index.

“Being an Italian citizen is a serious thing,” Tajani said last year.

“Unfortunately, over the years, there have been abuses and citizenship requests that went somewhat beyond genuine interest in our country.”

The 2025 ruling was challenged by four judges who questioned its constitutionality.

However, Italy’s Constitutional Court indicated it will side with the government during a hearing held last week.

“The Constitutional Court has declared the questions of constitutional legitimacy raised by the Turin court partially unfounded and partially inadmissible,” the court said.

An official verdict on the challenge is expected within weeks.

The Italian passport is among the most powerful in the world. (Getty)

How can I get citizenship in Italy by descent?

The process of verifying Italian lineage and obtaining an Italian passport remains a complicated process.

Australians hoping to become an Italian citizen must locate vital records including marriage, birth or death certificates from an ancestor’s hometown in Italy, which also must be translated into Italian and certified by an official.

It can cost around $487 per document.

Applications are lodged through an Italian consulate or embassy.

According to the website Italian Dual Citizenship, it can take up to a year to get an appointment at a consulate and years for citizenship to be approved.

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