END OF VALIDITY OF PAPER ID CARD FOR EXPATRIATION FROM AUGUST 3RD, 2026
Starting from August 3rd, 2026, the paper version of the Identity Card will cease to be valid for expatriation, regardless of its expiration date.
The Legislative Decree no. 108 of 26/06/2026 introduced some important changes:
– the unexpired paper Identity Card can be used for personal identification in relationships with the Italian Public Administration and with entities that provide public services, including Consulates;
– in urgent cases, Italian municipalities can issue a temporary identity document valid for expatriation, which is non-renewable and valid for no more than 6 months. The document may not be accepted in some foreign states: check the entry requirements on Safe Travel.
Contact the nearest Italian Consulate to learn how to apply for the new Electronic Identity Card (CIE): https://www.esteri.it/it/ministero/struttura/laretediplomatica/ . Dedicated appointments are available for those without other identification documents.
From June 1st, 2026, it is possible for Italian citizens residing abroad (AIRE) to apply for the CIE at every Italian municipality, as specified by Law no. 11 of January 19, 2026. Remember to bring your Fiscal Code with you!
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE NEW CIE
Requirements
The CIE can be issued exclusively to Italian citizens regularly resident in the consular jurisdiction, who are already registered in the consular database and whose personal data are already present in the AIRE database (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) of the Ministry of the Interior (ANPR).
For the purposes of issuing the CIE, it is also necessary to have the valid fiscal code. If this is not the case, the fiscal code itself will be assigned or validated by the Revenue Agency through the Consular Office prior to the issuance of the CIE.
Validity
The CIE validity varies depending on the age of the holder:
- 3 years for minors under 3 years of age;
- 5 years for minors aged between 3 and 18 yo;
- 10 years for adults.
How to apply
To apply for the CIE, you must contact the relevant Consular Office. To book an appointment it takes at least 15 days from your request; this time is necessary for the Consular Office to verify your personal data, resolve any misalignments and ensure that there are no reasons preventing the issuance of the document.
It is recalled that AIRE registration is mandatory to submit your application for the CIE. It is also essential, for Italian citizens born abroad, that the relevant birth certificate be already transcribed in the registers of the relevant Italian municipality.
Appointments and nececssary documentation
At the appointment, the applicant must bring the following documents:
- 1 passport photo, compliant with ICAO regulations;
- an identification document pursuant to the Presidential Decree 445/2000. If the applicant does not have one, s/he must be accompanied by two witnesses;
- parental consent of both parents in case the applicant is under 18 years of age .
At the appointment, the consular officer will acquire the photo and, except for minors under 12, the fingerprints and signature, which will be recorded in the CIE microchip and not anywhere else.
The cost of the document is:
- 21,95 euros, in case of first issue or renewal;
- 27,11 euros, in case of duplicate for theft or loss.
CIE collection
The CIE is printed by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato in 15 days after being sent to production, and then delivered to the relevant Consular Office; delivery times may vary depending on the Country of destination . The Consular Office will contact each applicant to communicate the availability of the new CIE.
ID finding
Identity cards that have been stolen or lost abroad, if found, are usually returned to the Consular Offices in whose jurisdiction the theft or loss occurred.
Those who have recently suffered theft/loss abroad and wish to verify whether their identity card has been found are therefore invited to contact the territorially competent Consular Office for further information. Any collection of the aforementioned documents may take place at the Consular Office where the finding was made, according to the following methods:
- at the Consular Office;
- at the request of the interested person, via postal service with shipping costs paid by her/him.
With regard to identity cards issued by Consular Offices stolen or lost abroad, the Consular Offices themselves will notify the holder of their finding, informing that they will be destroyed if they have not been requested for return one year after their finding.
Last update: July 22nd 2026.