Italian government decree transfers citizenship processes to Rome with a deadline of 36 months

The recent regulatory change promoted by the European government completely reconfigures the descent recognition system for foreigners. The measure establishes that all administrative procedures for adults living outside European territory must take place centrally. The decision changes a decades-old practice and directly affects thousands of descendants seeking dual nationality.

The new format eliminates the possibility of starting the procedure at regional diplomatic representations. Interested parties must now direct their dossiers directly to the competent bodies in the capital of the European country. The modification requires immediate adaptation by applicants who were already in the certificate collection phase.

The official justification points to an attempt to standardize analyzes and unify document evaluation criteria. However, the change in competence transfers logistical responsibility entirely to the applicant, who now handles international shipments and direct communications with the central administration.

Direct impact on applicants’ routine

The transfer of administrative competence to the Italian capital represents a paradigm shift in the way descendants view the dual nationality process. Anteriormente, the proximity to the diplomatic headquarters allowed for more tangible monitoring, where the applicant could resolve specific doubts and physically deliver the documentation. With the new rule, geographic distance imposes a barrier that requires a higher level of prior organization, as any error in assembling the folder will result in the international return of the papers, generating significant delays and extra expenses with new postal shipments.

In addition to the shipping issue, the estimated waiting time has undergone an update that worries candidates for European nationality. The legal deadline for completing the analyses, which previously varied drastically depending on the consular region, is now set at a ceiling of 36 months from receipt of the protocol at the administrative headquarters. Esse extended period reflects the expectation of a massive volume of processes arriving simultaneously at the same department, which will require an internal restructuring of public bodies to accommodate global demand concentrated in a single point.

End of protocol in diplomatic representations

The closure of descent analysis activities at regional headquarters ends a historic cycle of decentralized service. The units spread across several countries now focus only on routine services for those who already have a European passport. The issuance of travel documents and basic civil registrations continue under the supervision of these offices.

For new applicants, the system’s gateway becomes exclusively postal or electronic, depending on the specific shipping regulations. Isso means that human contact in the initial document checking phase no longer exists. The applicant sends the package and waits for official notification of receipt.

This abrupt transition caught many descendants by surprise, especially those who had been waiting in the virtual scheduling queue for months or years. In-person calls for folder delivery were suspended, forcing everyone to migrate to the new direct shipping model.

Strict requirements in document preparation

The absence of prior in-person screening raises the level of demand on the quality of the dossier assembled by the applicant. The central administration does not provide room for informal corrections or delivery of missing documents within short deadlines. The folder must arrive complete, translated and apostilled in accordance with international guidelines.

Proof of uninterrupted lineage remains the central pillar of the application. The applicant needs to gather birth, marriage and death certificates from all generations, from the emigrant ancestor to the current applicant. Certidão Negativa of Naturalização also remains a mandatory and eliminatory item.

To ensure acceptance, documents undergo a rigorous structural and legal adaptation process before international sending.

– Todas foreign certificates require sworn translation.

– The apostille of Haia is mandatory on each original and translated sheet.

– Divergências of names and dates require prior judicial rectification.

Correctly assembling this genealogical puzzle is the only way to avoid summary rejection. Profissionais from the area warn that the thorough review of each letter and date on the certificates is the most critical step before international posting.

Additional costs for international procedures

The obligation to send processes to Europa adds a new layer of expenses to applicants’ financial planning. International express shipping services, essential to guarantee the security and tracking of irreplaceable original documents, have high rates. The risk of loss via common postal routes makes this economy unfeasible.

Additionally, communication with central bodies may require the payment of specific protocol fees, collected in foreign currency. Exchange rate fluctuations now have a direct impact on the final cost of the process, requiring candidates to maintain a financial reserve greater than that calculated in previous years.

Overload in the European administrative system

The decision to centralize requests raises technical questions about the absorption capacity of the responsible department in the capital. Historicamente, European bureaucracy was already facing slowness even with the division of labor between hundreds of diplomatic posts around the world. By channeling all global demand into a single office, the risk of an operational bottleneck in the first years of the law’s validity is high. Especialistas in immigration point out that the technological infrastructure and staff will need an unprecedented expansion to meet the stipulated deadline of 36 months. The transition phase must be marked by instabilities in the online monitoring system and delays in issuing protocol numbers, while public servants adapt to the new workflow and the sorting of files coming from different continents with different civil particularities.

Legal alternatives for descendants

Faced with the new administrative scenario, many descendants are beginning to evaluate other legal routes for recognizing nationality. The judicial route, which was already used for specific cases of gender restrictions on the transmission line, is gaining strength as a viable alternative. Ações filed directly in European courts tend to have more defined deadlines and constant legal monitoring.

Another possibility involves temporary residence in the European country. The process carried out in person by legal residents in local municipalities follows different rules and is usually completed within a few months. However, this option requires willingness to change countries, proof of income and compliance with local immigration laws.

Need for specialized advice

The complexity of the new format drives the search for qualified professionals in international law and genealogy. Hiring lawyers or advisors based at Europa becomes almost essential for those who wish to mitigate the risks of rejection. Esses specialists act as legal representatives, facilitating communication with public bodies and ensuring that the dossier meets the rigorous standards required by the central administration.

The scenario of legal proceedings

The judicialization of nationality requests appears as a direct response to the slowness and uncertainties of the new administrative model. Tribunais European regions have received an increasing volume of actions based on the impossibility of timely service. Jurisprudence has been favorable to applicants who clearly prove their descent.

Lawyers who work in these cases highlight that the judicial process eliminates the need to deal with the 36-month administrative queue. The judge analyzes the documentary evidence and issues a sentence with the force of law, obliging Estado to register the new citizen. Essa route, although it requires investment in legal fees, offers greater legal certainty and predictability for families.

Long-term family planning

Obtaining dual nationality is no longer a short-term project and begins to require generational planning. Families need to align expectations and organize documentation together to optimize time and resources. Setting up a single base folder for all family members remains the smartest strategy.

The engagement of new generations in the search for historical documents is fundamental to keeping cultural heritage alive. The process, although more bureaucratic and time-consuming, results in a permanent benefit that will open doors to study, work and free movement on the European continent for current and future descendants.