After court ruling

Over 12,000 South Americans want to become Italians

(Bild: Mario - stock.adobe.com)

A decision by the Constitutional Court in Rome has triggered a veritable rush for Italian citizenship. Over 12,000 Brazilian, Argentinian and Venezuelan citizens have applied for citizenship, putting the authorities in a tight spot.

Two years ago, the Constitutional Court made it easier for foreigners with Italian roots to naturalize. The Veneto region in particular, from which a large number of people emigrated to South America in the 19th and 20th centuries, recorded a particularly high number of applications. Entire families of up to 15 people would now apply for Italian citizenship. The granting of citizenship is linked to the right to vote, which could have consequences, warned Carlo Citterio, President of the Court of Appeal of Venice.

Applications now account for more than two thirds of all cases. This has a negative impact on the duration of all other proceedings, complained Citterio. But many small municipalities are also completely overwhelmed by the onslaught.

The "strong" Italian passport
It is estimated that there are 60 to 80 million people of Italian descent worldwide. That is more than the 59 million inhabitants of Italy. The Italian passport is the strongest in the world - together with those of five other countries - and gives access to a record number of 194 of the 227 countries around the globe. Together with France, Germany, Spain, Singapore and Japan, the Italian passport even takes first place in the latest "Henley Passport Index", which ranks passports according to the number of countries to which their holders can enjoy visa-free access.