Italy's referendum to loosen citizenship rules results in low turnout, marking relief for Meloni

A referendum aimed at making it easier for foreigners to obtain Italian citizenship failed on Monday due to low voter turnout. The vote, held over two days, saw only around 30% of eligible voters cast their ballots—well below the required threshold of 50% plus one for the result to be valid, according to a report by the New York Times.

The referendum proposed reducing the residency requirement for foreigners to apply for citizenship from 10 years to 5. It also included measures to strengthen labour rights. Although about 64% of those who voted supported the proposal, the low participation invalidated the outcome.

The result is seen as a political relief for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had opposed the referendum. Some members of her coalition had openly urged voters to abstain. Meloni visited a polling station on Sunday but did not vote.


Currently, children of immigrants born in Italy can only apply for citizenship at age 18 and only if they have lived in the country continuously since birth. This referendum reignited debate on Italy’s immigration and citizenship policies at a time when similar issues are also under discussion across Europe and the United States.

Supporters of the referendum included a major trade union, civil society groups, and some centre-left parties. However, the proposal lacked broad political backing and coincided with the start of summer holidays, likely contributing to low turnout. Since 1990, only three out of 14 referendums in Italy have met the minimum participation threshold.

Fioralba Duma, an activist from Italians Without Citizenship, acknowledged the outcome but remained optimistic. “We’ve been let down by Italy before, we knew it was an uphill battle,” she said on the low turnout. “We will continue to work.”

Despite the defeat, campaigners said the vote helped raise awareness about the barriers faced by foreigners seeking to become citizens and better integrate into Italian society.