Italy is experiencing a period of intense discussions about its citizenship policies, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani leading an effort to facilitate access to Italian citizenship for children of immigrants. On June 10, 2025, Tajani publicly defended a bill introducing the “jus scholae” (school right) principle, allowing young people born in the country or who arrived before age five to obtain citizenship after turning 16, provided they have studied for a decade in the Italian education system. The proposal, presented by the Forza Italia (FI) party, comes amid recent changes to citizenship rules by blood right (jus sanguinis) and the failure of a referendum seeking to reduce the residency period for immigrants to apply for dual nationality. The debate reflects tensions between immigrant integration and nationalist pressures, while Giorgia Meloni’s government faces internal divisions.
Tajani’s initiative aims to address the demands of an increasingly multicultural Italian society. He argues that “jus scholae” promotes the integration of young people who grew up in the country, attended Italian schools, and embraced its culture. However, the proposal faces significant resistance within the governing coalition, particularly from the Brothers of Italy (FdI), led by Meloni, and Matteo Salvini’s League. These groups view the reform as a threat to national identity.
- Key points of the bill:
- Grants citizenship to youths born in Italy or who arrived before age five.
- Requires 10 years of uninterrupted residency and completion of schooling by age 16.
- Aims to integrate young immigrants culturally tied to the country.
The resistance from nationalist parties is not the only hurdle. A recent referendum, held on June 8-9, 2025, exposed the difficulty of advancing citizenship reforms. The vote, which proposed reducing the residency requirement for citizenship applications from 10 to five years, garnered 65.34% in favor but was invalidated due to low turnout (only 30% of voters participated, below the 50% quorum). This outcome was interpreted by conservative sectors as a rejection of changes to migration policies.
History of citizenship rules in Italy
Italian citizenship laws have historically been based on the “jus sanguinis” principle, granting citizenship to descendants of Italians, regardless of birthplace. This system has been criticized for marginalizing children of immigrants born and raised in Italy, who can only apply for citizenship after turning 18. Tajani, once a staunch defender of “jus sanguinis,” now proposes a balance by limiting this right to descendants of up to two generations (parents or grandparents born in Italy) and introducing “jus scholae.”
This shift reflects demographic pressures. An estimated 1.4 million youths of foreign origin live in Italy, with 900,000 enrolled in the education system. For many, Italy is the only home they know, yet the lack of citizenship excludes them from full rights, such as voting or accessing certain public careers.
Political reactions to the bill
The Forza Italia proposal has sparked polarized responses. Silvia Sardone, deputy leader of the League, stated that the referendum’s failure “closes any possibility” of advancing “jus scholae.” For her, the priority is protecting Italian identity, and reforms like Tajani’s could encourage irregular immigration. Meanwhile, opposition parties like the Democratic Party (PD) and More Europe support the idea but criticize the government’s slow progress.
Tajani remains resolute. At an event in Rome, he declared that citizenship is a serious matter and his party will move forward with the bill, despite resistance. He also emphasized that the reform does not aim to facilitate irregular immigration but to recognize those already integrated into Italian society.
Recent changes to jus sanguinis
Alongside the “jus scholae” debate, Meloni’s government approved a decree in March 2025 restricting “jus sanguinis” citizenship. Now, only descendants with parents or grandparents born in Italy can apply, impacting communities of Italian descendants, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. The measure was justified as a way to combat the “commercialization” of passports and ease the burden on consulates, which processed 20,000 applications in Brazil in 2024.
The restriction sparked protests from overseas communities. In Brazil, a petition with nearly 50,000 signatures called for the decree’s repeal, arguing it disrespects the history of the Italian diaspora. Despite the criticism, the Italian government upholds the measure, which does not affect applications filed before March 28, 2025.
The role of education in the bill
The “jus scholae” places education at the core of integration. The bill requires candidates to have attended at least 10 years of schooling in Italy, which, according to Tajani, ensures a deep connection to the country’s culture and values. This approach is seen as a middle ground between “jus sanguinis” and “jus soli” (right of soil), which grants citizenship to all born in a territory but faces strong opposition in Italy.
For supporters, such as the Italian Catholic Church, “jus scholae” addresses the reality of an aging country needing new generations to sustain its economy. In 2022, the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) endorsed the reform, arguing it benefits not only immigrants but society as a whole.
Numbers illustrating the debate
Data underscores the issue’s relevance:
- About 5.5 million immigrants live in Italy, representing 9% of the population.
- Approximately 48,000 children could benefit from “jus scholae” annually.
- The number of Italians abroad grew 40% in the last decade, reaching 6.4 million.
- Italy’s consular network processes around 50,000 citizenship applications yearly, mostly from South America.
These figures highlight the complexity of balancing recognition of Italian descendants with integrating new citizens born in the country.
Giorgia Meloni’s stance
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, leader of Brothers of Italy, has been skeptical of Tajani’s proposed reforms. In January 2025, she stated that the current citizenship legislation is “excellent” and that the government should focus on other priorities. Meloni also argues that granting citizenship to minors without involving their parents could create legal complications, particularly in repatriation cases.
Despite this, pressure for change persists. The More Europe party, which led the referendum campaign, plans new initiatives to keep the issue on the political agenda. The organization estimates that 2.5 million people, including immigrants and their children, could be impacted by broader reforms.
Political challenges ahead
Tajani’s bill faces a challenging path in Parliament. While Forza Italia has support from opposition sectors, the lack of consensus within the governing coalition and the recent referendum defeat complicate its approval. Additionally, Italy is gearing up for other immigration-related discussions, such as border control policies, which may overshadow the citizenship debate.
Political polarization is also a factor. While center and left-wing parties advocate for a more inclusive approach, the nationalist right insists on restrictive rules. Tajani, positioned in the center-right, tries to navigate these views, but his insistence on “jus scholae” may further strain the coalition.
A country in transformation
Today’s Italy is marked by demographic and cultural changes. The growing immigrant population and aging native population place the country at a crossroads. Tajani’s bill reflects an attempt to adapt citizenship laws to this new reality, recognizing youths who are, in practice, Italian in every way except on paper.
The “jus scholae” debate is not just about citizenship but about the future of Italian identity. While Tajani argues that education is the key to integration, his opponents fear the reform could pave the way for broader changes, like “jus soli.” For now, the bill remains under discussion, with the potential to redefine who can call Italy home.
