Starting June 1, 2026, AIRE members can obtain the CIE directly from Italian municipalities. This is a breakthrough eagerly awaited by millions of Italians around the world—and a deadline to mark in your diary: August 3.
There's good news for the more than six million Italians living abroad. Starting June 1, 2026, those registered with AIRE can apply for an Electronic Identity Card (CIE) in Italy, at any municipality, during a stay in the country. Until recently, this wasn't possible: the CIE could only be obtained abroad, at consulates, while in Italy, only the old paper version was issued.
The new law, introduced thanks to two amendments approved by the Chamber of Deputies, simplifies the lives of those returning to Italy for vacation, work, or to reunite with family. Simply report to the local registry office during your stay, eliminating the need to wait for consular appointments—which in places like Buenos Aires or São Paulo can take months.
Not just a document: a gateway to digital Italy
The CIE is more than just an identity card. It's also a key to accessing the digital services of the Italian Public Administration: online registry certificates, digital identity, and much more. For those living across the ocean, it means being able to communicate with Italy without leaving home.
And what about those not planning a trip to Italy? Nothing changes: the CIE will continue to be issued by Italian consulates. Procedures vary from consulate to consulate, so we recommend checking the website of your consulate.
Note the date: August 3, 2026
However, there is an important deadline to be aware of. Starting August 3, 2026, pursuant to European Regulation 2019/1157, paper identity cards will no longer be valid for travel abroad, not even within the European Union: a CIE or passport will be mandatory.
Don't panic, though: the government has established that unexpired paper cards remain valid throughout Italy until their natural expiration, for transactions with the public administration and public services. The limitation only applies to travel abroad.
For those who live between two worlds—one foot in Argentina, Brazil, or Uruguay and one heart in Italy—this double innovation is a concrete sign: an Italy a little closer, with less bureaucracy and more open doors for its children around the world.
