🇮🇹 A 'Minor Issue' With Major Citizenship Implications
We break down what the recent ruling means for citizenship cases (a lot – this is big), delve into Italy's 'control' of your thermostat 🌡️, make your home 🏠 search easier ➕ more!
Podcast Corner 🎙️ New Ruling Upends ‘Jure Sanguinis’ Citizenship Process
Our latest podcast dives into a critical topic for anyone considering or currently in the process of applying for Italian citizenship. We discuss a significant recent change from Italy's Ministry of the Interior that impacts how citizenship applications are handled, particularly for those affected by what we refer to as the “minor issue.”
This term refers to cases where a child under the age of 21 loses their claim to Italian citizenship because their Italian parent naturalized before they reached adulthood. We start by breaking down the basics of Italian citizenship, specifically the concept of Jure Sanguinis, or citizenship by descent.
The new directive, issued October 3, aligns with a previous court ruling from 2022, which stated that children of Italian citizens who naturalized while they were minors would lose their citizenship rights. The implications of this directive make it significantly harder for applicants with a minor issue to claim citizenship through traditional routes, such as at a consulate or a local municipality (comune).
There are potential avenues for those affected by this change, including the slim possibility of proving emancipation from the parent who naturalized. However, for many, this new directive effectively closes the door on their citizenship applications.
If you’re already in the process or considering your options, this is a must-listen to explore alternative pathways to citizenship, such as pursuing a 1948 case through a female ancestor or applying for citizenship through naturalization after three years of legal residency in Italy.
Click here to join us as we unpack these updates and help you find the best path forward in your quest for Italian citizenship.
The Heat Is On 🥵 … When The Italian Government Says It Is!
After a blazing hot Italian summer, temperatures 🌡️ are starting to … fall. And every year it’s a funny lesson to learn for those who have moved to Italy and are facing their first autunno: Italians are not entirely in charge of their heating systems. Technically, the government has a say in how warm you can be throughout the winter.
The reason is that for more than 30 years, in an effort to regulate energy use, the government dictates the dates Italians’ thermostats can click on and off for buildings with central heating systems (If you control your own heating via mini-split system or the like, you’re not affected). Every year, the government publishes on/off dates for six regions, with the north obviously getting the go-ahead long before the south (Belluno, Cuneo and Trento have no restrictions). For instance, this year in Zone E (roughly the top third of Italy), this Tuesday was the day to flip the boilers on, while the most southern regions have to wait until December 1. Find all the dates here.
There are also restrictions on maximum temperature and hours allowed, but there is some discretion – local legislatures can issue emergency edicts in times of extreme weather. It goes the other way too, though: In 2022, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy prices surged and dates were postponed and regulations tightened.
If you’re not in charge of your building’s heat, or have your own, you may never have to think about this. But if you’re a little chilly in a hotel room in Venice on October 1, this may help explain why!
On This Day In History: October 17… 1907 📻
Today, we look at one of Italy’s most famous sons, and remember his accomplishment on this day 117 years ago!
Guglielmo Marconi (left, above) helped usher radio transmissions into the world. From early experiments in Pontecchio and Bologna, Marconi eventually demonstrated his transmitters across the globe from London to New York.
After many stops and starts, and ever-growing stations built along the coasts of Europe and North America, his Wireless Telegraph Company established the first regular commercial transatlantic wireless service between Nova Scotia, Canada, and Ireland on this day in 1907. He won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1909. Sadly, it took tragedy — the Titanic — for the budding technology to gain widespread notoriety and give Marconi a new level of fame, as wireless SOS signals led to the Carpathia getting to the scene of the sinking in time to rescue hundreds of survivors.
Next time you hear your favorite tune on the radio, think of and thank Italy’s Marconi!
Location Spotlight📍Gressoney-La-Trinitè
The hills are alive – with opportunity! In the Aosta region with some of the most beautiful skiing areas in the Alps, here’s your chance to own a two-room apartment with passive income opportunity.
Located in the Residence dei Walser, the 155,000€ unit offers a kitchenette with dishwasher and microwave, living room with sofa bed, bedroom with two beds and a wardrobe, and a bathroom. The balcony and garage are nice touches too! The Residence offers a wellness center with sauna, Turkish bath, aromatized showers, a relaxation room, an outdoor solarium, and green spaces. The unit is an RTA (Tourist Hotel Residence), so it has a management team that will rent it for you when not in use - giving you a portion of the profits!
Want more? Subscribe to Vendita and get 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel.
And if you’re thinking about buying a property in Italy, you don’t have to do it alone! Book a free 10-minute property purchase discovery call here.
Q&A: When Should You Start Looking To Buy A Place in Italy?
It’s a question we hear a lot. And the answer is, as with so many things in Italy, well… it depends!
But the first piece of advice is to start looking when you’re ready to buy. There’s no worse feeling than seeing the perfect place, but not being able to jump on it! You can gauge the market, for sure, but don’t put the cart ahead of the horse until you are financially set to move forward.
The purchase process itself can take weeks or months, but it generally will move faster than in the U.S. — especially if you are not ready to move to Italy full time because you won’t be taking a loan. Then it really just depends on how much time you and the seller need to come to closing (transferring funds to Euros, getting an inspection, etc).
Despite the fact that there is no set answer here, always remember why you’re doing this in the first place, and targeting listings that match what you’re seeking in your Italian experience! And that leads to our next topic…
YouTube Sneak Peek ▶️ Let’s Make Your Home Search Easier
Who doesn’t like things easier?! ICYMI, if your process dragged on or is still dragging on, our last podcast breaks down the ins and outs of the Italian real estate market, and it’s still available on our YouTube channel along with tons of great video content.
Samantha talks about the biggest challenges foreign buyers face — like the lack of a centralized MLS system that complicates the search. She also explains why some homes take forever to sell, whether it's the condition of the property, the agent’s skill level, or the owner's emotional attachment.
With personal stories and tons of experience, Samantha shares why working with the right agent matters, how irregular paperwork can throw a wrench in the process, and why many Italian homes need major renovations. Plus, she offers real tips to help you navigate it all: get a buyer’s agent, plan for extra costs, and remember: Italy moves at its own pace!
Don’t forget: we’ve got all the tips and resources to inspire your own search!
Clarification: Last week we talked about bringing your pets to Italy. We heard from a reader (grazie!) who said that on a recent trip, Italy didn’t require an exit form, but that a CDC Dog Import Form is now required to bring your dog into the U.S. As always, the most important info we can still give you is to consult your USDA-approved vet to keep up with all the latest moving goalposts on traveling with pets!
Keep sending your questions to richard@smartmoveitaly.com.
PerTe è finito for this week. But don’t forget — we always have lots more to share with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!