carta d’identità

📘1. What it is Carta d’identità (CIE)

The Carta d’identità is the official Italian identity document. The modern version — CIE (Carta d’identità elettronica) — is a plastic smart card with an NFC chip containing:

• Personal data and photo;
• Biometric information (fingerprints collected from age 12);
• Digital certificates for eID access.

It is used for

• Proof of identity in all public and private offices (Comune, Questura, bank, post office);
• Travel for Italian citizens within the EU/Schengen area and certain other countries (if marked valida per l’espatrio);
• Access to online public services (via the CieID app or card reader — equivalent to SPID).

For foreign residents in Italy, the CIE is issued as non valida per l’espatrio — valid as an internal identification document only, not for international travel.

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⚖️ 2. Legal framework

• T.U.L.P.S. and national regulations governing identity documents;
• D.P.R. 28 dicembre 2000, n. 445 — administrative documentation and self-certification;
• D.Lgs. 7 marzo 2005, n. 82 (Codice dell’Amministrazione Digitale — CAD) — CIE as a digital identity tool (eID);
• D.M. 23 dicembre 2015 — establishes the production cost and fee structure; standard cost €22.21;
• Ministero dell’Interno circulars — procedures for issuance, biometric collection, electronic version implementation;
• Regole tecniche CIE (Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato) — production, encryption, and delivery standards.

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👤 3. Who can obtain it

Italian citizens

• Residents in Italy — through their Comune di residenza
• Italians residing abroad (AIRE) — through Italian consulates

EU and non-EU citizens (foreign residents in Italy)

• Can obtain a Carta d’identità “non valida per l’espatrio” from their Comune di residenza

Requirements:
A valid registration in the Anagrafe (resident registry) and a valid residence right (permesso di soggiorno for non-EU citizens).

📌 Important: Without residenza in the Comune, it is not possible to apply for a CIE — except for Italian citizens registered with AIRE (consular application).

Non-EU citizens under protezione temporanea (Ukraine)

Ukrainian nationals holding a permesso per protezione temporanea and registered in the Anagrafe are entitled to apply for a CIE non valida per l’espatrio. The permesso per protezione temporanea constitutes a valid residence right for this purpose.

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🪪 4. Types of document

• CIE (Carta d’identità elettronica) — the current standard. The chip contains personal data, photo, biometrics (12+), and certificates for eID access.

• Paper version — issued only in exceptional cases (technical impossibility or urgent necessity officially recognized by the Comune). The electronic version is strongly recommended.

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🏛️ 5. Where to apply and how to book

• At your Comune di residenza (Ufficio Anagrafe / Servizi Demografici).
• Most Comuni require an online appointment (prenotazione). Some offer a sportello veloce for emergencies (loss, theft, imminent travel).

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📄 6. Required documents (by category)

A) Adult Italian citizens

• Valid identity document / old card (for renewal)
• Codice Fiscale (often requested)
• Two photos (if not taken at the office) — ICAO standard 35×45 mm
• In case of loss/theft: police report (denuncia)
• For “valida per l’espatrio”: verification of any restrictions (guardianship, travel bans, etc.)

B) Italian minors

• Child’s presence required
• Consent of both parents/guardians (or court authorization)
• Photo; fingerprints from age 12
• For “espatrio”: specific parental consent form (provided by the Comune)

C) EU citizens residing in Italy

• Valid passport or national ID of their country
• Residenza registration in the Anagrafe
• Photo; Codice Fiscale (often requested)
• Issued as non valida per l’espatrio

D) Non-EU citizens residing in Italy

• Passport
• Valid Permesso di soggiorno
• Residenza registration in the Anagrafe
• Photo; Codice Fiscale (often requested)
• Issued as non valida per l’espatrio

📌 Note: During first issuance, some Comuni verify or update your Anagrafe data (address, family status) and may request supporting documents (rental contract, stato di famiglia).

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⏳ 7. Validity period

• Age 18+: 10 years
• Ages 3–18: 5 years
• Under 3 years: 3 years
• For non-EU citizens: validity cannot exceed the duration of the permesso di soggiorno or, at most, 10 years (depending on the Comune and the type of permit).
• Address changes do not require replacement of the CIE — the Anagrafe automatically updates your residence records — but you may request an update if you wish.

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💰 8. Cost and processing time

⚠️ Standard cost: €22.21 (established by D.M. 23 dicembre 2015), plus any municipal surcharge. Average total: €22–30 depending on the Comune.

Item	Details
Standard issuance	€22.21 (state manufacturing + base fee)
Municipal surcharge	Variable (some Comuni add €0–8)
Processing time	6–8 working days (centrally produced, delivered by post or collected at Comune)
Large cities / peak periods	Up to 10–15 working days
Duplicate (loss/theft)	Same cost + denuncia

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🔐 Biometrics, PIN/PUK, and digital services

• Fingerprints are collected from age 12 (none for younger children).
• During issuance, you receive a sealed envelope with PIN/PUK codes (first part provided by the Comune, second part delivered with the card).
• To access online government services, use the CieID app on a smartphone with NFC or via a card reader.
• CIE functions as an eID, equivalent to SPID. For many services, CIE alone is sufficient.

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✈️ Travel with Carta d’identità

• Only Italian citizens can be issued a CIE marked “valida per l’espatrio”, allowing travel within the EU/Schengen and certain other countries that recognize the Italian ID (the list is periodically updated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

For foreign nationals, the CIE is “non valida per l’espatrio” and does not substitute a passport.

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🔁 Replacement, loss, theft, or damage

• Reasons for replacement:
• Expiry;
  Change in personal data (name, surname, gender);
• Significant damage;
• Loss or theft.

Procedure in case of loss/theft:

1. File a denuncia with the police or Carabinieri.
2. Book an appointment at your Comune with the report and your documents.
3. Submit a request for a duplicate and pay the fee.

📌 Changing your address does not require a new CIE (see section above).

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Useful links

• Ministero dell’Interno — immigrazione: https://immigrazione.interno.gov.it/
• Ministero dell’Interno: https://www.interno.gov.it/
• Questure — Polizia di Stato: https://questure.poliziadistato.it/
• CieID app (Android/iOS) — official app for CIE-based online access

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I get a CIE without residenza? No — except for Italian citizens registered with AIRE (who apply through Italian consulates abroad).

2. How long does issuance take? Typically 6–8 working days. In large cities during peak periods, up to 10–15 days.

3. Do I need to renew the CIE if I change address? No. The address is not printed on the card; changes are automatically recorded in the Anagrafe. You may request an update voluntarily.

4. Can foreign citizens obtain a CIE? Yes. EU and non-EU residents with registered residenza can obtain a CIE non valida per l’espatrio. Non-EU citizens need a valid permesso di soggiorno (including protezione temporanea).

5. Can I use the CIE to create a SPID? Yes. CIE can be used to verify identity during SPID activation. CIE itself already functions as an eID via the CieID app — SPID is simply an alternative digital identity method.

6. Validity for children? Under 3 years: 3 years. Ages 3–18: 5 years. For non-EU children: no longer than the parent’s permesso di soggiorno.

7. What if I urgently need an ID? Ask the Comune about emergency procedures. A paper card can theoretically be issued only if electronic issuance is impossible and urgency is officially documented — in practice extremely rare. For urgent travel, Italian citizens should apply for a passport.

8. Can foreigners travel internationally with the CIE? No. For non-Italian residents, the CIE is non valida per l’espatrio and is not accepted at international borders. Use your national passport.

9. How do I activate CIE for online access? Retrieve your PIN/PUK codes (received at issuance), install the CieID app on an NFC-enabled smartphone, and follow the in-app instructions. Alternatively, use a USB card reader with a computer.

10. Does the CIE number change when reissued? Yes — the card number changes with each new issuance. Personal data remain unchanged. Re-link the new card to any eID-linked online profiles or services.