Our Newsletter

How to Obtain the Electronic Identity Card (Carta d’Identità Elettronica) in Italy

Posted on December 3rd, 2024

by Adriana ruiz


The Electronic Identity Card (Carta d’Identità Elettronica, CIE) is the modern electronic version of the traditional paper identity card in Italy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain or renew your CIE.

1. Where and When to Apply

You can apply for the CIE at your local Comune (municipality) of residence or domicile. If you have a paper identity card, you can request the CIE even before it expires. Specifically, the CIE can be requested up to 180 days before your current identity card’s expiration date or in cases of loss, theft, or deterioration of your existing card.

In the case of booking the appointment in the Municipality through prenotazionicie.interno.gov.it, the citizen will have the possibility to provide in advance the passport photo in digital format by uploading it on the website.

2. Validity of the CIE

The validity of the CIE depends on your age at the time of issuance:

∙ For minors under 3 years old: The CIE is valid for 3 years.

∙ For minors between 3 and 18 years old: The CIE is valid for 5 years.

∙ For adults: The CIE is valid for a maximum of 10 years, expiring on the first birthday after 9 years from the date of issuance.

If you are temporarily unable to provide fingerprints (due to injury or other reasons), the CIE will be valid for only 12 months.

3. Required Documents and Information

When applying for the CIE, you must bring the following:

A passport-style photo. This should be in paper format unless you’ve uploaded a digital photo through the Agenda CIE system when booking your appointment. The photo must meet specific size and quality requirements, ensuring that it shows your face clearly and without any alterations.

Photo Requirements

The photo you provide must adhere to strict guidelines:

Size: 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. The photo should capture your entire face with both earlobes visible, without any rotations.

Quality: The image must be sharp, with no shadows on the face or background. The background should be uniform and ideally in light colors like white, light gray, or beige.

Expression: You should have a neutral expression, with your mouth closed and eyes open, looking directly at the camera.

Digital Submission: If submitting digitally, the image should be at least 400 dpi, in .jpg format, and under 500 KB in size.

Your tax code (codice fiscale) or health card, especially if this is your first time applying for a CIE, to speed up the registration process.

The old identity card if you are renewing or replacing a deteriorated document.

If you are a parent of minors and applying without the other parent present, you must also provide a signed consent form from the other parent or legal guardian, or a judge’s authorization for travel abroad.

4. Fingerprint Acquisition

For citizens aged 12 and older, fingerprinting is mandatory. The process involves placing your index fingers (and if necessary, other fingers) on a sensor to capture the prints. The process is repeated several times to ensure accuracy, with the correct finger and pressure applied.

5. Application Process

At the time of your appointment:

If this is your first CIE, present another valid identity document. If you don’t have one, you must bring two witnesses to confirm your identity.

If renewing, submit your old identity card to the municipal officer.

Provide the municipal officer with your tax code or your appointment number and proof of payment, if already made.

Verify your personal information with the municipal officer.

Indicate your preferred method of receiving the CIE: delivered to your address or collected at the Comune. You can also designate someone else to pick it up for you.

Provide your photograph if not already submitted digitally.

∙ Fingerprint acquisition will be done at this stage.

You may opt to give your consent for organ donation.

Finally, review and sign the summary form with your details.

6. Costs and Payment

The cost for issuing the CIE is €16.79, plus any additional administrative fees that may apply. Be sure to keep the receipt issued by the Comune during your application.

7. Receiving Your CIE

Your new CIE will be delivered within 6 working days after your application. You’ll be notified via the contact information you provided during the application process.

By following these steps, you can smoothly obtain or renew your Carta d’Identità Elettronica in Italy, ensuring you have a valid and modern identity document.

Need help to apply for your Electronic Identity Card (Carta d’Identità Elettronica, CIE)? Schedule a free call with us! Email info@expatslivinginrome.com

How to Obtain the Electronic Identity Card (Carta d'Identità Elettronica) in Italy 10


ù

Bringing Your Family to Italy: A Guide for Non-EU Citizens 1

Bringing Your Family to Italy: A Guide for Non-EU Citizens

For non-EU citizens residing in Italy, having your family with you is a tangible goal. Italian law provides a framework for family reunification, allowing you to bring close relatives to live with you under specific conditions. This guide outlines the key requirements, procedures, and rights to help you navigate the process. Who Can Apply for […]

How to Become a Self-Employed Worker in Italy 2

How to Become a Self-Employed Worker in Italy

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to work as a self-employed worker in Italy? This guide explains the conditions you must meet, the procedures to follow, and the rights you can enjoy during your stay. Conditions for Self-Employment To legally engage in independent work in Italy, non-EU citizens must satisfy several conditions and obtain the […]

Transport strikes scheduled across Italy in September 2025 3

Transport strikes scheduled across Italy in September 2025

September is shaping up to be a turbulent month for travelers in Italy, with more than 14 national strikes scheduled. Widespread protests are expected to cause significant disruption across trains, flights, and local public transport networks. Rail and Air Travel Disruption Commuters and long-distance travelers on trains should be aware of a major nationwide strike […]

Buying Property in Italy: Understanding Judicial Real Estate Auctions or Aste Immobiliari 5

Buying Property in Italy: Understanding Judicial Real Estate Auctions or Aste Immobiliari

As a resident in Italy, you may already be familiar with the dynamics of the local housing market and perhaps have contemplated purchasing property. However, there exists a lesser-known yet potentially advantageous avenue worth exploring: Aste Immobiliari, or judicial property auctions. What Are Judicial Auctions? Judicial auctions in Italy are public sales of assets, including […]

Important Update: Changes to Shipping from Italy to the U.S. 6

Important Update: Changes to Shipping from Italy to the U.S.

If you live in Italy and need to send packages to the United States, there are new rules you should know about. Starting August 29, 2025, all goods shipped from Italy to the U.S. will be subject to customs duties before arriving. Until now, parcels valued under $800 could be sent duty-free, but this exemption […]

Italy's Passport Ranks Among the World's Most Powerful in 2025 rankings 7

Italy’s Passport Ranks Among the World’s Most Powerful in 2025 rankings

The Italian passport remains one of the most powerful in the world, ranking third in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. This prestigious position is shared with passports from Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Finland, and Denmark, allowing holders to travel to 189 out of 227 destinations without a pre-approved visa. The index, widely regarded as a […]

Rome Takes a Historic Step Toward Autonomy 8

Rome Takes a Historic Step Toward Autonomy

Rome is undergoing a significant transformation with the recent approval of a constitutional bill aimed at elevating its status and granting it greater autonomy. This historic reform, championed by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, seeks to address the unique challenges of governing Italy’s capital. The proposed changes are designed to improve Rome’s ability to manage its own […]

Constitutional Court Rejects Limits on Italian Citizenship by Bloodline 9

Constitutional Court Rejects Limits on Italian Citizenship by Bloodline

Rome, July 31, 2025 – Italy’s Constitutional Court has confirmed that the current rules for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis) remain valid, rejecting attempts to limit automatic citizenship for descendants of Italians born abroad. Under the existing law (Law 91/1992), anyone with an Italian mother or father is automatically an Italian citizen at […]


Contact info