Italy's Citizenship Showdown: What’s at Stake in the Upcoming Referendum

Wed Oct 22 2025 06:34:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Italians prepare to vote on changing citizenship laws as the country grapples with immigration reform and social identity.

As Italy faces waves of migration, a referendum on citizenship laws will ask voters if they support reducing residency requirements from 10 to 5 years. The outcome will influence the status of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, but low voter turnout could hinder its success.

In a pivotal moment for Italy, the nation is set to vote this weekend on a referendum that could reshape its citizenship laws. With a history of emigration and an increasing influx of immigrants, Italy finds itself at a crossroads. Many argue that current laws are outdated, making it difficult for newcomers to gain citizenship.

The referendum proposes to cut the residency requirement from 10 years to just 5 years. This change could enable hundreds of thousands of immigrants—hailing from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe—to apply for Italian citizenship. This shift would challenge the stance of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a vocal opponent of more lenient citizenship laws.

However, the referendum faces a significant hurdle: it must meet a voter turnout of over 50% to be valid. Experts are doubtful that enough citizens will participate, especially in a country where voter engagement has been low in recent years.

Regardless of the vote's outcome, the referendum has ignited crucial discussions about citizenship and national identity at a time when migration is a hot topic across Europe and the U.S. The people of Italy must now decide how they envision their country's future and the role of immigrants within it.