Italian Electronic ID Card (CIE): What is it and how can I apply for it?

Aug 28, 2023

The Italian electronic ID Card (CIE) is the identity document of Italian and foreign citizens issued by the Italian Ministry of the Interior. Thanks to the highly advanced security and anti-counterfeiting elements, it grants the holder’s identity verification and access to online services of Public Administrations both in Italy and in many EU countries. 

How Can I apply for the Italian ID Card (CIE)?

The Electronic Identity Card can be applied for at the municipality of residence. Therefore, the main requirement is to have the Residence Registration Certificate, which is the official document issued by the municipality certifying the current residence of the applicant.

Validity of an Italian ID Card

The validity of the CIE varies depending on the age of the holder at the time of the application for the document; in particular, the CIE expires on the first birth anniversary after:

• 3 years from the date of issue for minors under 3 years of age;
• 5 years from the date of issue for minors between 3 and 18 years of age;
• 9 years plus the days between the date of application and the date of birth for all others. 

Which are the benefits of holding the Italian Electronic Identity Card (CIE)?

Besides being an identification document, the Italian Electronic Identity Card can be used to access a wide range of public administration services online, going from demographic services to social security and health. For instance, the commune of Milan allows holders of CIE to access its portal, where they can find the latest news on the activities and services offered by the commune and submit online applications.

Finally, it is important to acknowledge that certain basic needs, such as purchasing a car, opening a bank account as a resident in an Italian Municipality, or obtaining an Italian driving license, may not be completed without an Italian ID Card.

This article was written by Amal Sfar

Web Content Manager

This article is posted by Mazzeschi Web Content Manager. Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@mazzeschi.it. Follow us on social media @StudioMazzeschi to receive the latest updates.

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