IN THE NEWS
Breaking: Italy Enforces Strict Interpretation of the Minor Issue
The Italian Ministry of the Interior has introduced a new directive regarding the loss of Italian citizenship for minors when their parents naturalized. Referred to as “The Minor Issue,” this change solidifies recent court rulings stating that minors lost their Italian citizenship if their parent became a citizen of another country, regardless of where the child was born. This directive affects those whose Italian ancestors naturalized before 1992 and who were minors at the time.
The new policy now aligns all consulates and comuni, potentially impacting pending applications, while existing citizenships remain unaffected. Alternative paths, such as 1948 cases or emancipation by marriage, may still be available.
For a detailed breakdown and to learn more about your options, read the full article here.
Podcast Interview (Another one!)
For the second time, BecomeItaliani co-founder Anthony Calvanese joined Chase Warrington for his podcast About Abroad.
This was such a fun conversation! We were lucky to be able to meet in person, as our paths crossed in northern Italy. We discuss the Italian citizenship process for those who want to get their Italian passport through descent. In addition we discussed travel in Italy and Europe, and the ups and downs of life abroad. You can listen to the podcast on all your podcast platforms (link to Spotify here), or here on YouTube.
Americans Need A Visa to Travel to Europe?
Starting in 2025, U.S. travelers to Europe will need an ETIAS travel authorization to enter 30 European countries for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This new requirement involves a simple application process but requires careful planning and accurate documentation. While an approved ETIAS is linked to your passport and remains valid for up to three years, it doesn’t guarantee entry, as border checks still apply.
If you’re considering frequent travel or longer stays in Europe, obtaining an Italian passport through dual citizenship could offer more flexibility and freedom, eliminating the need for ETIAS altogether. Read more about ETIAS requirements here.
Ready to explore your Italian citizenship options? Start here!
Podcast Interview
Back in August 2022, co-founder Anthony was interviewed by Chase Warrington, the Head of Remote at Doist, on his podcast, About Abroad.
It was a fun conversation with some interesting stories shared, and Chase was a great host! In the discussion, they covered two main topics. First, what inspired Anthony to make the move to Italy and what the experience has been like. Second, Anthony gives an overview of the Italian citizenship-by-descent process. You can find the podcast episode here.
Interactive Population Map
This interactive population map of Italy shows all ~8000 towns/cities/comuni in Italy, and allows you to filter by population and region.
Map tool preview
"When I was beginning to research where to live in Italy for the process of having my Italian Citizenship recognized, I was overwhelmed by the ~8000 comune (municipality) options to choose from. There are a lot of variables – population size, region, apartment availability, comune friendliness/helpfulness, comune availability to process citizenship requests, etc....I couldn’t find the tool that I wanted, so I created it, and want to share it so others may find it useful."
You can find the tool on Anthony's website here.
17 Million Italian Americans
If your ancestors emigrated to the US from Italy, it might be time to start researching your roots.
17 million Italian Americans may not even realize they’re eligible for Italian citizenship, according to Italian law. Such a privilege is their jure sanguinis, or “right of blood.” Not all countries allow for citizenship recognition by blood, but lucky for Italian-Americans, Italy happens to be one of them that does.
The unification of Italy was known as the Risorgimento. It resulted in the unification of different regions which are now part of Italy, into a single state in 1861, the Kingdom of Italy.
These unification wars left much of southern Italy in poverty., causing millions of southern Italians to leave their homeland.
The USA, from 1880 to 1924, was a popular destination for many Italians in search of a better life with opportunities for both themselves and their families
Since their ancestor's immigrant beginnings over a century ago, Italian Americans have maintained a strong identity in the US.
Now, 100 years later, Americans of Italian descent are looking back at their roots and finding ways to connect with their Italian heritage.
Americans who get an Italian passport will have the same rights and privileges as every other Italian.
This creates a demand for getting Italian citizenship recognized. Many also even looking for the possibility of a different way of life by moving back to Italy.
Today, with the Italian passport being worth almost twice that of the U.S. passport, this provides an even bigger incentive.
With European Union being a common market, citizens of the 27 EU member states can live & work in Italy and any of the 27 EU member countries.
Thus, having Italian citizenship opens paths in the EU business market, such as having the right to live & work in any of the 27 EU countries.
Italian Americans can look to get Italian citizenship for lots of reasons. Some for Italian pride, seeing it as part of their heritage and something to pass down to their children.
Others may do it for the clear economic benefits.
Americans can get this benefit at steal, especially if comparing Italy's citizenship by ancestry law to Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program, which costs over $1 million and can take years.
Europe's Most Powerful Passport
When it was a Crime to Be Italian
Potentially Dangerous, a documentary film by executive producer John Turturro, reveals when over 600,000 Italians in America were persecuted as “Enemy Aliens” during World War II. Their crime? Being Italian.
