Italy's Referendum on Citizenship: A Defining Moment for National Identity

Once a nation marked by mass emigration due to poverty and conflict, Italy has transformed into a destination for millions of migrants, with its schools and neighborhoods increasingly populated by Africans, Asians, Latin Americans, and Eastern Europeans.

Despite this demographic shift, many argue that Italian citizenship laws remain outdated and overly restrictive, making it difficult for immigrants to fully integrate as citizens.

On Sunday and Monday, Italians will participate in a referendum to decide whether to shorten the mandatory residency period required to apply for citizenship from ten years to five.

If approved, this change would open the door for hundreds of thousands of foreign residents to seek citizenship, delivering a setback to the conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who opposes relaxing the citizenship criteria.

However, the referendum’s success hinges on voter turnout surpassing 50 percent, with a majority voting in favor—an outcome viewed with skepticism given Italy’s historically low participation rates.

Regardless of the result, the referendum has ignited critical discussions about the definition of citizenship amid ongoing debates on migration across Europe and the United States.

Activists and experts describe the vote as a crucial juncture for Italy, which faces significant demographic challenges, and a test of whether Italians are ready to expand the concept of national belonging to embrace immigrants and their descendants.

“This is a defining moment for how Italy envisions its identity and future,” said Fioralba Duma, an Albanian activist who has lived most of her life in Italy without holding citizenship.

The Criteria for Italian Citizenship

During the era when Italy was primarily a country of emigrants, its citizenship laws favored bloodline connections, allowing individuals of Italian descent—even distant—to claim citizenship, maintaining ties with the diaspora. This eligibility has recently been tightened.

Conversely, immigrants face stringent requirements. Non-European Union nationals with adequate income and clean criminal records must reside in Italy continuously for ten years before applying for citizenship, a longer period than in countries like France or Germany, where under certain conditions, citizenship can be sought after five years.

Children born to legal immigrant residents can only apply for citizenship after turning 18, provided they have lived uninterrupted in Italy since birth.

Proponents of the current laws argue that Italy already grants citizenship to many newcomers, but critics highlight that hundreds of thousands live in the country without citizenship.

“They contribute taxes and obey laws, yet remain excluded politically,” said Maarten Vink, director of the Global Citizenship Observatory. “That exclusion is problematic in a democratic society.”

Implications of the Proposed Change

The referendum’s proposed reduction of the residency requirement from ten to five years could enable nearly 1.5 million foreign residents to apply for citizenship, according to estimates by the Italian research center Idos. This includes approximately 300,000 minors who would gain citizenship automatically if their parents do.

One affected individual is Meriem Khaldoun, a Moroccan architect residing in Genoa. Although she has lived in Italy throughout her adult life, she only registered her residency five years ago and must therefore wait an additional five years before applying for citizenship. Meanwhile, she contributes to the city’s urban regeneration efforts.

The referendum enjoys broad support from progressive parties, while right-wing factions oppose it.

Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League Party and Italy’s deputy prime minister, has labeled the referendum as “dangerous,” warning that it would indiscriminately expand access to citizenship.

Uncertainty Over Outcome

The final result will only be known once polls close on Monday afternoon, as it remains unclear whether voter turnout will meet the required threshold.

Historically, referendums in the 1970s and 1980s drew large participation, including votes on divorce and abortion. However, the most recent referendum in 2022, which addressed judicial reforms, saw only 20 percent of eligible voters participate.

“Voter engagement has declined significantly, making it harder for referendums to succeed,” noted Michele Ainis, a constitutional scholar at Roma Tre University.

This referendum also includes four additional questions related to Italian labor laws.

Supporters of the referendum have criticized Italy’s state broadcaster, Rai, accusing it of insufficient coverage of the debate, though Rai maintains it provided more attention than during the 2022 referendum.

Opponents of changing citizenship rules have chosen to abstain from voting.

Prime Minister Meloni has stated she will participate in the referendum but will abstain from casting a vote.

Notably, many proponents of the referendum, including immigrants and those with immigrant backgrounds, are unable to vote as they do not hold citizenship.