How to Get an Italian ID Card / Carta d’Identita 

Do you need proof of identification and do not want to carry your passport around everywhere in Italy as a foreign national? Do not worry; you may be eligible for an Italian Identity Card, also called a CIE Carta d’Identita Electronica. This physical card will allow you to avoid any hassle and make it easy for you to access public services. Through these few quick and easy steps, you can now get an Italian ID card that is valid globally. 

What is a CIE Italian ID card?

The Italian identification card has a microchip embedded in it with anti-counterfeiting elements such as special codes and holograms. It contains your photo and personal data, such as your birthday nationality, etc. It also has your fingerprints within it. It is used to authenticate your identity and access public services 

Eligibility criteria

• EU citizens who possess a valid EU ID card and have registered residence on Italian territory

• Italian citizens and passport holders. 

• Foreign citizens who have a residency permit and registered residence on Italian territory

Why do I need it? 

In Italy having an ID is very important to validate your age as well as to confirm your identity in the public sector, such as doctors in schools, etc. Note that this identity document is not necessary; it is simply optional but can make it easier for most residents to navigate Italy and it is easier than carrying a passport around! 

For foreign citizens, it is mandatory to carry your CIE with you at all times. For Italian citizens, the CIE can be used as a document of expatriation with the EU or any country Italy has a free movement agreement with; hence, they do not need to carry their passport or other documentation with them. 

Important: Although all EU citizens are able to travel with their Italian ID card within the EU as non-Italian citizen but as an EU citizen of another country, it is also useful to bring your national ID card. For all Non-EU citizens, the CIE is only used as an identification document and not for travel

Where to apply

If you are an Italian citizen living abroad, you can go to your country’s consulate, click here to find the closest consulate, and obtain an ID card; otherwise, the application has to be in person at the municipal hall of your residence.

Documents required for your appointment:

• Passport 
• Valid passport-sized photos
• Residency permit or receipt of residency permit if it hasn’t been issued yet for foreign citizens only. For more information on residency permits, click here
• Tessera Sanitaria. This health insurance Insurance Document is optional; for more information on that, click here

Duration

• 3 years for minors under 3 years of age
• 5 years for minors between 3 and 18 years of age.
• 10 years for adults

It generally lasts as long as your residency permit is valid for adults and foreigners 

How to apply 

If you would like to make an appointment at the municipal hall, click here. 

This will indicate the closest hall to your place of residence and allow you to submit passport-sized photos prior to your meeting

After booking your appointment, you must go to the municipal hall commune and pay the fee for the application. The flat rate is €16.79, on top of which you are subjected to an additional issuing fee of €5.42, which can be doubled if you are requesting another CIE after yours got lost or stolen.

You must bring your valid ID document and show it to the officers working; this could be an expired CIE or a passport and residency permit. You should also present your payment receipt and your tax code or codice fiscale. For more information about that, click here

They will then take your biometric data, photos, and fingerprint scans; everyone over the age of 12 is subjected to fingerprint scanning. For minors applying for a CIE, they must be accompanied by their legal guardian.

You must also provide a contact address or delivery address, as this card will be delivered to it; there is no alternative for delivery

After submitting this information, you must fill out a summary form. A copy is available here

Finally, you have to wait for its arrival; for the first issuance, it takes up to 6 working days.

How to renew your Italian Carta d’Identita 

The process for renewing is the same as for the application. You should request renewal 180 days before the expiration date, and at your appointment, be sure to bring your current and soon-to-be expired ID card.

This article is written for informative purposes only, with the aim of providing a general overview of procedures. Please check the official website of local Italian authorities for up-to-date information.

Websites and Links:

https://www.cartaidentita.interno.gov.it/en/about-cie/ù

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/prado-documents/ita/b/docs-per-category.html