Jimmy Kimmel and his path to Italian citizenship

American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel recently surprised viewers by revealing that he obtained Italian citizenship through descent. During an interview on Sarah Silverman's podcast, the comedian explained that his decision was driven by a rejection of former President Donald Trump's policies, which he described as "much worse" than he had imagined.

Kimmel, born in New York and of Italian descent on his mother's side, was able to obtain citizenship through the principle of jus sanguinis , which allows descendants of Italians to claim nationality. This high-profile case brings to light a legal avenue available to people worldwide.

What does obtaining Italian citizenship by descent entail?

Italian citizenship by descent is a right recognized by the Italian government that allows descendants of Italian citizens to access nationality without having to renounce their own.

The process is based on the principle of jus sanguinis and can be carried out from abroad, generally through Italian consulates. It is also possible to manage it directly in Italy, which can significantly reduce waiting times.

Unlike other countries, Italy recognized this right without generational limit , provided that the direct line of descent could be demonstrated without interruption.

However, in March 2025 the so-called Tajani Decree was issued , which severely limited this right, restricting it only to children and grandchildren of Italians born in the country , who had not renounced their Italian nationality.

Current status of the issue

The debate regarding the legitimacy of this measure remains open, to the point that in July of this year, the Constitutional Court of Italy issued a ruling questioning the constitutionality of this generational limit.

While this does not invalidate the Tajani decree , it does open a door for those who were excluded from nationality recognition for exceeding the generation limit. They could now resort to legal action to have their situation reviewed.

Given the current situation, at AIM Global we are closely monitoring developments regarding this legislation in order to provide the best advice to our clients.

Requirements to apply for Italian citizenship by descent

To begin the process, the applicant must gather and submit a series of key documents, including:

• Birth, marriage and death certificates of Italian ancestors.
• Proof that the Italian ancestor did not renounce his citizenship before the birth of the descendant.
• Certificate of naturalization or proof of non-naturalization in another country.
• Official translations and apostilles as required by the relevant Italian consulate or municipality.

In all cases, the documentation must be complete and properly legalized. Therefore, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice.

Why are more people choosing this route?

Kimmel's case is not isolated. According to US media, other celebrities like Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres have opted to migrate to European countries due to their political concerns. In highly polarized contexts, the possibility of obtaining a second nationality represents a future-planning strategy.

Beyond personal reasons, obtaining Italian citizenship by descent offers numerous benefits, such as:

• Right to reside, work and study in any country of the European Union.
• Access to the Italian healthcare system.
• Transmission of citizenship to descendants.
• Strengthening the bond with family roots.

AIM Global advises you on obtaining Italian citizenship.

At AIM Global, we guide our clients through every step of the process to obtain Italian citizenship. From document collection to navigating the application process with municipalities and consulates, we offer a comprehensive, precise, and reliable service.

Thanks to our experience in international mobility, we guarantee a streamlined process with the smallest possible margin of error. If you have Italian ancestry, this could be your opportunity to reconnect with your roots and secure new opportunities for you and your family.

Having a European passport opens doors to new opportunities, and obtaining it through legitimate means is an increasingly valued option for people worldwide. Schedule an information session with us to begin this process.