The legal landscape surrounding Italian citizenship has just undergone a major shift that promises to intensify the debate between the branches of government in Rome. In a direct consequence of discussions about limitations on the right of blood, the Supreme Court of Cassation published a ruling last Tuesday, May 12th. sentence no. 13818/2026The document not only ignores recent pressures for restrictions, such as the so-called Tajani Decree, but establishes a legal "shield" for descendants.
The decision of the First Civil Section is a technical response to the climate of uncertainty that hung over the courts. The Court of Cassation was categorical in defining Italian citizenship as an "absolute subjective right of high constitutional relevance, existing from the moment of the holder's birth, which has a permanent and imprescriptible nature." In practice, the Court buries the argument that the right would be "precarious" or liable to extinction by the passage of time, reaffirming that the bond is born with the individual and never dies.
This situation creates a direct clash of interpretations. Although the Constitutional Court has previously signaled that citizenship could be subject to stricter regulations, the Court of Cassation holds the final say in the interpretation of ordinary law. In the Italian legal system, the Constitutional Court is not bound by the decisions of the Court of Cassation, but must observe the interpretation that the latter makes of the laws in accordance with the Constitution. This legal "fire" signals that any political attempt to restrict access to citizenship will encounter an insurmountable barrier in the country's highest civil court.
Regarding the critical issue of "interest in acting," the ruling offers relief to those facing the collapse of consular appointments. The Court decided that legal action is fully legitimate whenever a citizen encounters "impediments, difficulties, or delays that do not even allow the submission of the respective request to the designated administration." With this, the court recognizes that digital barriers, such as failures in appointment systems, are equivalent to a denial of rights.
A rozhodão It emphasizes that no one seeks the court by free choice, but rather because they "encounter difficulty in obtaining recognition from the Consulate." For the magistrates, the harm caused by state inertia or bureaucracy is sufficient for the judge to intervene and declare citizenship status.
For the thousands of descendants with completed documents or ongoing processes, the ruling serves as a new paradigm, or a beacon of hope. It protects the historical and legal heritage of families against temporary legislative maneuvers, ensuring that Italian citizenship remains an imprescriptible right, regardless of administrative delays.
See the sentence:
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Jicxjo
May 15 from 2026 at 01: 20
How delightful to see the politically motivated judges of the Constitutional Court look like fools after this decision by the Court of Cassation. Take that!
Jicxjo
May 15 from 2026 at 01: 20
What a delight to see the politically motivated judges of the Constitutional Court looking like fools after this decision by the Court of Cassation.
EULER SOARES EVANGELISTA
May 15 from 2026 at 22: 33
If, and I quote, Italian citizenship is an: “absolute subjective right of high constitutional relevance, existing from THE MOMENT OF THE HOLDER'S BIRTH, which is permanent and imprescriptible.” Well, I was born in 1984 and from that moment I was a holder of Italian citizenship (by blood). I obtained this right in 1984, when there was no Tajani decree. Can a decree come 41 years later and take away what I have already been entitled to since birth? Wouldn't the fairest thing be to apply limitations only to those born after the decree?