The soul of modern Italy and what it means to belong as a non-EU citizen in 21st-century Europe.
(Rome) – Last year, pro-migrant groups and proponents collected enough signatures to trigger the inclusion of questions on the 2025 Italian Referendum calling to ease Italy’s strict citizenship laws for foreigners along with work-related rules.
The vote aimed to reduce the residency requirement to attain citizenship – from 10 to five years – and to enhance job protections for workers across the board. Of which, according to organisers, would have affected about 2.5 million people. In addition, it would have bestowed the same newfound national status to their children.
Yet, earlier this month, due to a low voter turnout, the referendum fell through. The data from polling stations showed only around 30% of eligible voters had cast ballots at the end of the two days of voting. Far short of the 50% plus one electorate participation minimum, and corresponding approval rate needed to make the decision legally binding.
Benedicta Djumpah, an activist with the “Italiani Senza Cittadinanza” movement and host of the “Chronicles of a Black Italian Woman” podcast, told Ark Republic that the recent referendum effort should not be seen as a failure. “Of course…we didn’t reach the numbers needed to make [the possible outcomes legally] valid,” she acknowledged, “but we did arrive at 30 percent—without media support.”
According to Djumpah, over 9 million people were in favour of the referendum. A result she attributes to extensive grassroots organizing. She also pointed to interference at the institutional level, noting, “we have to consider the fact that there was obstruction by the government.” Currently, there are approximately 51 million eligible voters in Italy.
Socially, this shift is poignant as migrants make up a significant portion of the Italian population at nine percent. Ultimately, meaning public perception is gradually shifting from exclusion to a more tolerant view in the historically-conservative Stivale-nation.
On the economic-side, Italy may have left much-needed millions on the table with the rejection of this act. More easily attainable requirements could lead to a larger, diversified labor-force and renewed economic possibilities in migrants-heavy industries and businesses in Italy. As well, immigrants stimulate the national economy as consumers and taxpayers. Reportedly, immigrant laborers have contributed an estimated €164 billion to the Italian GDP in 2023, representing nearly nine percent of the national GDP. Thus, leaving immigration in limbo creates long-term risks, even inducing dire situations, as the country has experienced a fluctuating financial position in recent years.
Undoubtedly, with over 1 million children born in Italy to foreign parents who still lack automatic citizenship, and amid rising numbers, debate around the lack of voter turnout is more urgent than ever, with internal conflict on both sides of the political aisle.
Inside Italy’s citizenship battle
The largest Italian trade union, Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (CGIL), led by Maurizio Landini, proposed the work-related portion of the referendums. These were entirely supported by left-wing political parties like the Democratic Party (PD), the Alliance of the Greens, the Left, and the Five Star Movement (M5S), though the latter remained more neutral.
The one on citizenship had been proposed by Deputy Riccardo Magi from the progressive party +Europa. He was later joined by several groups, including all of the above with Azione and Italia Viva. Again, the M5S did not take a clear position on this portion either.
On other hand, conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her coalition, including Matteo Salvini’s League, actively urged voters to abstain. This deliberate silence and disengagement by government figures further reflected the broader political strategy to downplay the referendum.
Italian public media and government politicians broadly ignored the referendum. Junior Meloni coalition member Forza Italia posted a picture on X of a swimming pool, sandals and sunglasses, captioned: “sorry if we didn’t post anything today, we were all at the beach.” This coordinated effort to discourage participation was also evident in the behavior of public media and coalition politicians.
Following their win, right-wing parties waited a few seconds after polls closed to attack and, in many cases, even make fun of the center-left as they saw no issue with current legislation.
Meloni stated, “Citizenship laws in Italy are excellent and also very inclusive.” She lamented, “[So,] I’m completely against [the proposed citizenship reform],” noting that Italy has long been “among the European countries that grant the highest number of citizenships every year.”
Notably, Romanians and Albanians, caucasian groups, represent the largest immigrant enclaves in the Bel Paese.
Italy and its neighbours, contrasting citizenship policies
Compared to most of Europe, Italy stands out for its strict citizenship rules. Akin to their Western neighbours, extreme-right parties across Europe are pushing for tighter residency laws. Often, linking them to common xenophobic fears over resources or crime. In contrast, progressive or centrist governments like Spain or Portugal tend to support more inclusive legislations.
Djumpah criticized the Italian government’s stance on immigration. She noted that Italy faces a persistent mix of misinformation and racism, particularly fueled by ultra-nationalists.
“The media always supports this idea that ‘foreign’ equals danger,” the student explained. She emphasized that Italy’s regional disparities, shaped in part by 19th-century colonialism, have contributed to its fragmented national identity. The activist continued by saying these regions just recently unified. Despite formal unification, regional identities and differences have persisted in Italy. For instance, the Northern League (Lega Nord) has historically advocated for greater autonomy for northern regions, reflecting ongoing regional disparities.
On a macro-scale, while countries like France and Germany have lowered residency requirements to five years and emphasize integration and civic knowledge, Italy still requires a much longer wait.
For example, France allows citizenship after five years—or just two for students. It can be acquired if one has unique skills and has (or could) demonstrate an exceptional level of integration into French society via activities in civil life, science, culture, sport or for the economy. To add, France has a form of conditional jus soli—children born in France to foreign parents can claim citizenship at age 18 if they have lived in France for a certain period.
On the other hand, Germany recently shortened its waiting time and is considering more inclusive policies like dual citizenship. Under the new Nationality Law, one can become a citizen after five years. Like France, you must be well integrated into German society to qualify, which includes having sufficient language skills and knowledge of their way of life.
Generally, Germany grants citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis). Yet, since 2000, children born in Germany to non-German parents can get citizenship at birth if at least one parent has lived legally in Germany for eight years.
Other countries also take a more flexible approach. Spain generally asks for ten years but only two for people from Latin America and some former colonies. Portugal offers one of the EU’s easiest paths with just five years of legal residency.
In contrast, Italy’s rules remain among the toughest in Europe, making it harder for immigrants to become citizens. To worsen matters, although the ruling right-wing once backed the referendum, their support has since shifted. “Their goal is never about uniting the population,” Djumpah said, “but about maintaining power,” suggesting that their current messaging is more about propaganda than genuine policy reform.
Causes for failure
Florence-based intercultural migrant consultant Judy Muchangi explained that even progressive groups showed reluctance toward changing Italy’s long standing ius sanguinis citizenship laws, which grant citizenship by bloodline. In an interview with Ark Republic, she elucidates that the latter challenges assumptions about the status of Italian citizens who do not fit the conventional Italian look, elucidating to an appearance that is white-presenting Mediterranean person with fair-to-olive tinged skin and loosely curled or naturally-straight brown hair.
According to the intercultural migrant consultant, many Italians believed that the reduction of the residency requirement from 10 to five years “undermined Italy’s heritage.” Some right-wing leaders classified current times as an “invasion” of non-European immigrants.
Muchangi explained that migrant communities and second-generation Italians—the groups most affected—have “limited media representation and political voice,” which makes it hard for them to challenge these negative stories. Ultimately, she observed that opposition was particularly strong in working-class suburbs, whereas “greater support” came from wealthier urban neighborhoods.
Moreover, Muchangi observed that confusion about the reform was widespread. “A large part of the public thought it would give automatic citizenship to undocumented migrants, which is not true,” Muchangi explained. This widespread misunderstanding was further fueled by media focus on political conflicts and a targeted disinformation campaign against NGOs and civil rights groups.
She added that the media tended to highlight political conflicts rather than clarify the details of the law. At the same time, NGOs and civil rights organizations faced a well-coordinated disinformation campaign led by the far right.
Worsening matters, Muchangi pointed out that the media gave the public vote limited attention, contributing to low public awareness. In fact, Italy’s communications authority filed a complaint about the lack of coverage.
Indeed, activist Djumpah underlined Muchangi’s points that cultural and systemic racism played a significant role, while adding that confusion and mass miscommunication played another one.
As per Djumpah, many people do not fully understand how citizenship laws work and often accept government propaganda as fact. Many voters were confused by the proposed legislation’s wording, and mistakenly linked the citizenship proposal to wider debates about immigration and migrant flows.
In addition, the center-left PD and the M5S supported the reform in principle, but were lukewarm in their campaigning. Internal divisions and lack of a unified national strategy made it difficult to mobilize progressive voters. Some regional leftist leaders actively avoided engaging with the issue, fearing it could alienate moderate voters.
Still on this, Muchangi also mentioned that amid multiple local elections and general political fatigue, many voters were disengaged. Holding the referendum in early June—when many Italians are preparing for summer—further depressed participation.
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The real meaning of Italian citizenship for foreigners
Deepika Salhan, an activist and the president of the “Dalla parte giusta della storia” campaign, which means the right side of history, has become a prominent citizenship rights advocate. The initiative, which welcomes contributions from individuals and organizations alike, seeks to push forward long-overdue birth-right reform.
Especially for the over 1 million young people who were born or raised in Italy, but remain legally excluded. Of which, she emphasized as “a strategic priority for the future of Italy,” urging that “taking action is the responsibility of each and every one of us.”
Salhan likewise highlighted the everyday barriers faced by these young people: “One in 10 students has a migrant background,” yet many lack basic rights—such as the ability to travel.”
Instead of being limited, she argues, they should be encouraged to connect with their roots, suggesting “exchanges with their countries of origin” and even proposing internships at Italian embassies abroad for students studying development cooperation.
As an example, she pointed out that non-citizens are barred from working in important public service roles, including healthcare positions, that are critically understaffed – and leaving workers nationwide to protest. As a nurse, you cannot work in an Italian hospital if you’re not a citizen. Noting that this restriction applies to many other public sector jobs, as well.
The implications extend further, to children born to foreign parents, which strict requirements are also imposed.
Children born in Italy to foreign parents do not receive automatic citizenship; instead, they must wait until they turn 18 to apply. A minor born in Italy to legally residing parents is added to one or both parents’ residence permit until their 14th birthday, effectively inheriting the parent’s immigration status. Once they turn 14, the child must obtain their own residence permit for family reasons, valid until they reach adulthood.
The citizenship process involves strict conditions, including proving continuous legal residency and fulfilling all documentation requirements. Missing a deadline or encountering paperwork problems at any point can result in denial. Additionally, there is a risk of statelessness if the child’s parents lack legal status or if their home country does not acknowledge them as nationals.
Withal, Muchangi mentioned that youth from foreign families often feel rejected by a country they have always called home. As per her statement, citizenship gives people more than a passport, it gives validation. With it, you are officially acknowledged as a member of a national community.
Still on this, the digital strategist mentioned that a child born in Naples to Senegalese parents, who speaks Neapolitan, attends Italian schools, and loves football, may suddenly realize at 18 that they are legally “Senegalese”—a country they have never visited. They must now prove they are ‘deserving’ of the only identity they know.
The message, “you are not really one of us” can cause deep identity conflicts, social withdrawal, and psychological stress. “They may be excluded from civic life—not allowed to vote, run for office, or participate fully in the society they helped shape.” She mentioned it to us.
However, some success stories raise the question of whether citizenship should be seen as something one must earn to be deemed worthy. This discourse becomes especially relevant when looking at well-known examples, whose journey challenges traditional views on citizenship.
A more popular one would be that of Khabene “Khaby” Lame who rose to fame with his silent videos reacting to everyday life. He was granted citizenship right after, at 22 years old. He was born in Senegal and migrated to Italy as an infant where he lived with his working class family. In a turn of irony, Lame was detained by the U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement for overstaying his visa. The UNCF Goodwill Ambassador arrived to the country on April 20, but left voluntarily June 7, showing how even an internationally noted person can get caught up in strict immigration laws on both sides of the world.
Another complicated immigration case would be that of Ramy Shehata, who was considered a young hero. He was born in Italy to Egyptian parents, but was denied citizenship. At age 13, Ramy helped foil a school bus hijacking in Milan by secretly calling police. He saved his classmates’ lives. Despite his heroic actions, Ramy’s citizenship status sparked controversy and national debate about what it truly means to be considered Italian.
Following this, there was a national outcry following reports that he was unconsidered “Italian.” His bravery sparked debates about citizenship reform and he was eventually granted it.
Steady on the grind towards a better immigration laws
To these ends, Djumpah assertively refused to label efforts as a failure, underscoring the progress made despite limited resources and governmental opposition. She stated, “looking at what we have been able to achieve without finances and the government being against us, we are energized and the work continues.” Building on this resilience, Djumpah made clear their commitment to achieving meaningful reform through collaboration across the country.
Acknowledging the challenges, she noted that their activism is demanding and often takes place alongside other marginalized roles. Nevertheless, Djumpah remains determined to see real reform enacted.
“Our goal is to keep working with our networks; we have connected people in small towns and big cities throughout the country,” she explained. Despite the significant challenges they face, the determination to push for a law that reflects Italy’s diverse population remains firm.
