Italian citizenship: 1948 cases

More and more people of Italian heritage strive to get the Italian citizenship recognised.

Since the implementation of the “minor issue” rule, which in many cases has cut the line and has prevented many from having the Italian citizenship recognised, more people are looking to gain Italian citizenship by descent through a different path and find out that they can gain Italian citizenship through female ancestors and that they have a 1948 case.

What is a 1948 case? Very briefly, you have a 1948 case when a female ancestor passed her Italian citizenship onto her children before 1948, i.e. her children were born before 1948.
For example: GGF born in 1890 in Italy, GM born in 1920 in the US, F born in 1940 in the US, you born in 1966 in the US. Since your father got Italian citizenship from his mum before 1948, you have a 1948 case.
Another example: GGM born in 1898 in Italy, GF born in 1925 in the US, F born in 1950 in the US, you born in 1980. Since your GF inherited Italian citizenship from his mother in 1925, before 1948, you have a 1948 case.

To have the Italian citizenship recognised, however, other factors must be taken into account.
In order to ascertain your eligibility, a preliminary assessment is essential.

To have the Italian citizenship recognised in a 1948 case, you need to be represented by a lawyer in Italy, who will make an appeal on your behalf to the Court of the area your ancestor was from. You don’t need to attend any hearings, which can often be remote hearings.

If you think you qualify to gain Italian citizenship by descent, be it a 1948 case or an administrative case, and need assistance, do please get in touch.

This article is not exhaustive and is a guidance only.

In collaboration with avv. Andrea Balducelli, expert in citizenship

Barbara De Benedittis Relocation and Legal in Italy