Marco Mellone on The Minor Issue Ruling + Tajani Decree Heads to the European Court of Justice

Few people understand the rapidly evolving landscape of Italian citizenship by descent better than the attorney arguing it in Italy’s highest courts. In this episode of Your Italian Podcast, host Lauren Hopkins sits down once again with Marco Mellone, founding attorney of Mellone Law Firm in Bologna and one of the leading voices in the jure sanguinis cases now shaping Italy’s legal future. This time, Marco walks us through two historic decisions that have transformed the conversation around Italian dual citizenship. First, he explains the Corte di Cassazione’s July 2026 ruling that struck down the long‑contested minor issue, reaffirming that a child who is a dual citizen from birth never loses Italian citizenship because of a parent’s later naturalization. It’s a decision with sweeping implications for families whose claims were previously denied or stalled. Then, Marco breaks down the Constitutional Court’s Order No. 147/2026, which has paused domestic challenges to the 2025 Tajani Decree and referred a central question to the European Court of Justice. He offers a clear, measured look at why this referral is unprecedented, how EU citizenship protections may come into play, and what this means for applicants whose eligibility depends on pre‑reform rules. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your Italian heritage or you already have a case pending at an Italian consulate or the court in Rome, this episode cuts through the noise and the speculation. You’ll hear directly from one of Italy’s foremost citizenship attorneys — someone helping shape how these cases are decided and what they mean for your path to an Italian passport. Listen to the full conversation on the future of Italian citizenship by descent. And if you have questions about your own eligibility under the current law, you can book a consultation with Your Italian Passport.