My Journey to Italian Citizenship: A Story of Perseverance

Relocating to Italy and securing Italian citizenship by descent was a dream that I left simmering on the back burner for a long time. Too long. Last fall, everything finally started to come together. Or so I thought. I had a clear plan: move to Italy and apply for citizenship via residency. However, the universe had other ideas. The path ahead proved to be far from straightforward, and I quickly learned the importance of having expert guidance on my side.

October 3rd, 2024, an infamous date in dual Italian citizenship circles. The rumors had been whispered for years. But finally, the circular was officially issued, dramatically altering my plans, and the plans of many others just like me. This directive introduced a critical restriction: my ancestor had naturalized while the next in line was still a minor, effectively cutting my line. I was devastated. This news was a significant blow, completely imploding my original application strategy and imminent move abroad.

Thankfully, Jennifer and her dedicated team at ViaMonde were undeterred. While my plans to move abroad were temporarily placed on hold, the team swiftly re-evaluated my family tree, and pivoted to a different type of application. By identifying and utilizing a female ancestor in my lineage, we were able to pursue a 1948 case instead. This approach, rooted in a landmark ruling that recognized women's ability to transmit citizenship in 1948, proved to be a viable alternative. It was a moment of relief and renewed hope… until the Decree Law hit.

The legal landscape shifted violently once more on March 27th, when the new Decree Law was announced. This development spurred ViaMonde's Italian attorneys into action, scrambling to file as many cases as possible before the law took effect. Their swift and decisive efforts were incredible, and my case was successfully filed on March 28th, just one day before the Decree Law was implemented.

Had my case been filed after the Decree Law, the outcome would have been drastically different. The new law introduced a generational limit for those applying through a parent or grandparent, making applicants ineligible if their last Italian-born ancestor was a great-grandparent or further back. My last Italian-born ancestor was indeed my great-grandparent, which would have rendered me ineligible under the new rules. Furthermore, the Decree Law added another restriction: my last Italian-born ancestor must not have ever naturalized. Unfortunately, my female ancestor had naturalized, meaning I would have been ineligible on both counts.

A year later, my wife and I, with the invaluable assistance of ViaMonde, successfully navigated the application process for the Italian Elective Residency Visa. Breathing life back into our dream of relocating to Italy, where we are now happily settled. While we await the final decision on my citizenship court case, we are embracing our new life in Italy, confident in the support and expertise provided by the ViaMonde team throughout this labyrinth of a journey.

This experience has truly highlighted the unwavering commitment of Jennifer and her team to their clients. Their passion for what they do and expertise in navigating the intricate and ever-evolving world of Italian citizenship is unmatched. ViaMonde’s ability to stay abreast of legal changes and adapt strategies to create successful outcomes, even in the face of unexpected challenges, was instrumental in achieving my dream of moving abroad.