Skip to content Law No. 11 of January 19, 2026 came into force yesterday. It contains provisions for the revision of services for citizens living abroad.
The provisions concern matters of citizenship, the registry of Italians residing abroad (AIRE), signatures legalization and identity documents. It aims to simplify procedures. Also, it strengthens the Ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation (MAECI) staff for the citizens’ benefit.
Citizenship recognition: new centralized office
According to the new provisions, the following will remain the responsibility of consular offices:
- The verification of citizenship status for individuals already recognized as citizens residing within the consular district.
- The recognition of citizenship for minors, residing in the district, who are children of already recognized citizens.
For these two categories, the head of the consular office will issue the citizenship certificate.
Conversely, starting from January 1st, 2029, applications for the recognition of citizenship submitted by adults residing abroad will be assigned to a general management office of the MAECI.
Such office which will take over the application processing and the subsequent request for transcription of civil status records and initial registry enrolment.
Citizenship applications submission and timelines
Applicants for the recognition of citizenship must direct their paperwork to the MAECI office with all supporting documentation. They must submit the file in original hard copy exclusively via postal service, with shipping costs borne by the applicant.
Following the application submission, communications between the office and the applicant will take place exclusively through digital means. Notifications will be sent to the applicant’s email address.
The MAECI office will communicate the citizenship recognition to the relevant municipality and consular office.
Until January 1st, 2029, consular offices will continue to process citizenship applications. However, they will do so with a maximum annual limit not exceeding the number of applications processed in the previous year. In any case, this maximum limit shall not be less than one hundred.
In the two years following January 1st, 2029, the MAECI office will receive a maximum annual number of applications for citizenship recognition. This quota will not exceed the number of applications processed in the previous year.
Finally, the deadline for the conclusion of the citizenship recognition process for adults residing abroad is of thirty-six months.
If you wish to receive more information on the requirements to become an Italian citizen, please check the different types of Italian citizenship procedures.
Unified registry of Italians abroad
Article 3 contains provisions regarding the registry of Italians residing abroad, amending law No. 470 of October 27, 1988.
Specifically, authirities will integrate the AIRE into the national resident population registry (ANPR). Therefore, they will manahe all registry fulfilments through a single national platform.
Furthermore, the law updates the categories of citizens excluded from AIRE enrolment. These include those traveling abroad for seasonal employment. Enrolment is optional for citizens who maintain or establish their fiscal domicile in Italy and work abroad for the EU or for international organizations.
Passports and identity cards
Article 4 amends Law No. 1185/1967 on passports.
First, the law abolished the possibility of passport renewal. Thus, it makes explicit the already widespread practice of issuing a new document ex novo.
Additionally, it foresees specific procedures in case of passport loss or theft. These vary depending on whether the event occurs in Italy or abroad. Those who lose or have their passport stolen in Italy must file a detailed report with the competent police offices.
If the event occurs abroad, instead, there may be an impossibility or proven difficulty in filing a report with local police authorities. In such case, it will be sufficient to provide a declaration of theft or loss to the consulate.
Finally, article 5 concerns the Italian identity card. From June 1st, 2026, citizens residing abroad may apply for the issuance of an electronic identity card (CIE) at any municipality, according to the organizational and technical methods established by the Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.