When the Rules Change Overnight: What Italy’s Citizenship Pivot Means for You

The world is not static—your mobility strategy shouldn’t be either. 

Italy has just taken a decisive step: narrowing access to citizenship by descent. Effective immediately, only those with an Italian-born parent or grandparent will qualify. Generations of globally dispersed descendants—many with authentic ancestral ties—are now excluded. This is not an isolated shift. It’s the latest signal in a broader recalibration of access. Governments are tightening eligibility frameworks, elevating thresholds, and questioning legacy entitlements.

The political climate has changed, and with it, the mechanics of belonging. What does this mean for globally mobile individuals with capital, business interests, and families to protect? It means that strategic mobility is no longer a luxury or status symbol—it’s a shrinking window that demands timely, deliberate action.

Delay is the most expensive mistake

I’ve never had a client regret securing a second citizenship or strategic residency. Not once. But I’ve encountered countless individuals—smart, accomplished, legacy-focused—who waited too long. Who assumed access would remain static. Who lost an opportunity not because they were ineligible, but because they hesitated. Italy is the latest cautionary tale.

While the Italian government hasn’t released a detailed explanation, the motivation appears clear: the jure sanguinis (citizenship by descent) system has become overloaded. With hundreds of thousands of applications consulates and municipalities have struggled to keep up. By now limiting recognition to grandchildren, the government is trying to reduce the administrative burden and refocus citizenship policy on those with a more direct connection to Italy. Now, thousands with once-clear eligibility are locked out. When it comes to citizenship frameworks, nostalgia is irrelevant. Law is sovereign. And timing is everything.

Strategic mobility is the most underrated asset class

If you hold private wealth, operate across jurisdictions, or intend to pass on a legacy that extends beyond a single flag, you need more than favorable tax rates or visa-free travel. You need strategic mobility. It’s the one structure that shields against currency volatility, geopolitical risk, regulatory shifts, and the unknowns no spreadsheet can model. It enables capital flow, protects family continuity, and enhances negotiating leverage—personally and professionally. 

Italy’s pivot is not the exception. Portugal changed the Sephardic Jewish descendents route to citizenship in April 2024 - it became significantly harder to qualify (never easier!) Spain closed its doors to golden visa applicants in April 2025, the Caribbean citizenship programs all increased their minimum investments significantly in 2023. Processing timelines are expanding. Due diligence layers are deepening. The age of easy access is over. And still, many choose to wait—until waiting becomes a closed door.

My advisory is not for everyone—and that’s by design

My work is tailored for a particular kind of individual: Discerning, intentional, globally aware. Someone who values discretion over display, precision over popularity. I don’t offer one-size-fits-all programs or mass-market templates. I design bespoke strategies that align your citizenship, residency, and global footprint with your long-term personal and financial architecture. That includes: Identifying jurisdictions where citizenship or residency aligns with your capital, lifestyle, and asset protection needs. Structuring applications with minimal bureaucracy and maximum legal efficiency. Providing long-term recalibration as your life, assets, and priorities evolve. And most critically—ensuring you act while the option exists.

If you qualify today, don’t assume you will tomorrow

Strategic mobility rewards timing, not procrastination. The individuals I advise aren’t chasing trends—they’re getting ahead of the curve. Italy’s shift is proof of what I’ve said for years: laws change. Entitlements expire. And access, once denied, rarely returns. If you’ve been considering a second citizenship—whether through descent, investment, or relocation—the time for decision is now. Not after the next policy vote. Not after the next election. Not after the next financial quarter. Now.

Your wealth, your freedom, your future—protected.

When the Rules Change Overnight: What Italy’s Citizenship Pivot Means for You