From 1 June 2026, the procedure for obtaining the Electronic Identity Card (CIE) changes significantly for Italians residing abroad and registered with the AIRE. The main novelty is that the application will no longer have to be submitted exclusively to the competent Consulate: it will in fact be possible to turn to any Italian municipality as well.
The change, provided for by article 5 of Law no. 11 of 19 January 2026, represents an important step towards simplifying services for the more than 6.5 million Italian citizens registered with the AIRE.
It was announced by the Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Massimo Dell'Utri, who on his X profile spoke of "a concrete step to simplify services and strengthen the bond with our communities around the world. Less bureaucracy, more closeness to citizens".
The new option is added to the consular procedure, without replacing it. Those who submit the application in Italy will be able to choose whether to collect the CIE in person at the municipality or to receive it directly at their address of residence abroad. The document, in fact, is not issued immediately at the counter, but is subsequently produced by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato.
Some fundamental requirements, however, remain unchanged: one must be properly registered with the AIRE with a completed file, have up-to-date personal data, the birth certificate already transcribed in Italy and the tax code validated. The new procedure therefore does not resolve any administrative positions that are still incomplete.
Particular attention must also be paid to the paper identity card. From 3 August 2026, in fact, paper documents that do not comply with European security standards will no longer be valid, even if they bear a later expiry date. Many citizens residing abroad will therefore have to arrange for replacement with the CIE.
One last practical aspect concerns travel: at the time of the application, the identity document held by the applicant is cancelled. For this reason, it is advisable not to plan trips using the identity card that is being replaced and to make sure you have a valid passport.
For those registered with the AIRE, therefore, a new opportunity opens up: greater flexibility in choosing the channel through which to obtain the CIE, but also the need to carefully plan timing, documentation and any travel needs.
For more information on the Electronic Identity Card, you can consult the official portal of the Italian Ministry of the Interior.
