On 16 October 2024, Italy passed a law that would make it illegal for couples to go abroad to have a baby through an international surrogacy arrangement. The law, approved by the senate with 84 votes in favour and 58 against, would make surrogacy a “universal crime” and could fine couples up to one million euros and a two-year jail sentence. Italian lawmakers have claimed that the law is not intended to harm children but to penalise parents who have engaged in this activity. Yet, since the practice of surrogacy became illegal domestically in 2004, couples have faced an increasing number of challenges when attempting to register their children at local municipalities – affecting these children’s ability to acquire Italian citizenship. Read More …