Lawrence Nardi, a retired architect from York, has found his plans dashed. He was on the verge of traveling to Florence to formalize his Italian citizenship through his great-grandfather, Leonardo, but recent changes implemented by the Italian government on March 27 have closed that avenue.

In the past, individuals of Italian heritage could obtain citizenship if they could trace their lineage back to an ancestor who was alive after the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, despite a challenging and sometimes expensive process.

This system helped sustain ties with the approximately 16 million Italians who emigrated between 1861 and 1914. Notably, the number of Italian citizens living abroad surged by 40% from 2014 to 2024 due to citizenship claims from descendants.

With the new decree, anyone not recognized prior to March 27 is not considered a citizen unless they have a grandparent born in Italy. The Italian government has cited a large influx of applicants from descendants seeking citizenship mainly for passport benefits without plans to reside in Italy as the reason for the change.

After the Brexit referendum, many Brits sought European citizenship, with over 350,000 applications since 2016. While Irish, French, and Spanish passports gained more traction, successful applications for Italian citizenship from British applicants increased from 651 to 814 in the 12 months following the referendum.

Currently, about 26,000 British residents live in Italy, which pales in comparison to 284,000 in Spain. Real estate agency Great Estate reports a 28% increase in British interest in property purchases in Tuscany and Umbria, partly due to remarks by the Spanish Prime Minister regarding strict regulations on non-EU buyers.

Nardi shared his disappointment, tracing his lineage to an ancestor who was born in Florence and was involved in the Italian military. He and his wife had prepared for citizenship by obtaining necessary documents but now are exploring alternative residency options.

Pip Clemente, a 70-year-old retired teacher from Bournemouth, echoes similar sentiments. Her family had planned to relocate to Italy based on their Italian heritage, with her relatives having spoken Italian growing up. They’ve been preparing since the Brexit referendum for formal recognition of their citizenship.

After traveling to Frosinone to initiate their citizenship process and facing further delays, now only her mother and a cousin are eligible under the new rules, disrupting their family’s relocation plans.

Italy’s parliament is set to review the decree within 60 days. Many individuals affected express frustration over the lack of notice and the rapid implementation without any phase-out period, having already invested time and money into the citizenship process.

Conversely, some see the changes as necessary to safeguard the essence of Italian citizenship. One Italian-American student believes the adjustments encourage a more thoughtful and modern approach to citizenship regulation.

Others, like Lena Austin from New Zealand, have paused their relocation plans, citing a need for a more manageable immigration system. She acknowledges that the ruling may affect future generations but recognizes the need for boundaries.

The chairman of an estate agency reports an increased interest in living in Italy due to favorable tax conditions and the new citizenship regulations, which have shifted the landscape of property investment.

The Italian government has introduced various tax incentives for high-net-worth individuals and pensioners, aiming to attract foreign investment.

Aaron Lubrani, who has traced his family history to Italy, is devastated by the loss of citizenship eligibility. After purchasing property in Italy, he was in the process of gathering documentation for citizenship when the decree was announced.

Relocation specialist Samantha Wilson states that there has been a noticeable increase in interest from British nationals seeking to move to Italy recently, complicating the visa process compared to the straightforward citizenship route.

Wilson remains hopeful for revisions to the decree as it undergoes parliamentary review. In the meantime, she is guiding individuals like Nardi in exploring alternative visa options, indicating that while paths may have changed, opportunities remain for those determined to reside in Italy.