Skip to content The Italian identity card for foreigners is an identification document issued by the Municipality to foreign citizens residing in Italy. It can be requested both by European Union citizens and by non-EU citizens, provided that they are legally resident and registered with the Registry Office of the Municipality.
For foreigners, the Italian identity card is mainly used to identify themselves within the national territory, access administrative procedures and use certain digital services connected to the Electronic Identity Card, or CIE. However, it does not replace the passport, the national document of the country of origin or the residence permit.
In brief: identity card for foreigners in Italy
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who can request it? | Italian, EU and non-EU citizens residing in Italy |
| Where is it requested? | As a rule, at the Municipality of residence |
| Is residence required? | Yes, registration with the registry office is the main requirement |
| Is a residence permit required? | Yes, for non-EU citizens |
| Is it valid for expatriation? | No, for resident EU and non-EU citizens it is only valid as an identification document |
| How long does it last? | 3 years under the age of 3, 5 years between 3 and 18 years, about 10 years for adults |
| How much does it cost? | €16.79, plus any municipal fees |
| Issuance times | About 6 working days for production and delivery, after the request |
The CIE is produced by the Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato and is now the ordinary tool for issuing the identity card. The Ministry of the Interior indicates the validity, fixed cost and digital functions of the CIE, including access to Public Administration online services and advanced electronic signature through the CieSign app.
Can foreigners have an Italian identity card?
Yes. Foreigners residing in Italy can request an Italian identity card. The Municipality of Turin, for example, specifies that the identity card is a document issued to Italian, EU and foreign citizens residing in Italy.
The central requirement is registered residence. This means that, before requesting the identity card, the foreign citizen must be registered with the Registry Office of the Municipality where they live permanently. For non-EU citizens, residence must be accompanied by a valid residence title or documentation proving the regularity of the stay.
Further information: residence application for foreigners in Italy.
What is the Italian identity card for foreigners used for?
The identity card allows the resident foreign citizen to identify themselves in Italy before public offices, banks, employers, health authorities and other parties requiring an identification document.
The electronic version, namely the CIE, also allows access to the digital services of the Public Administration through CIE credentials and progressive authentication levels. In addition, it can be used with the CieSign app to sign electronic documents with an advanced electronic signature.
In practice, the CIE can be useful for:
| Use | Why it is important |
|---|---|
| Identification in Italy | It allows one to prove their identity before offices and private entities |
| PA digital services | It allows access with CIE credentials to enabled public portals |
| Administrative procedures | It facilitates registry, health, banking and contractual procedures |
| Electronic signature | It can be used through the CieSign app to sign digital documents |
Is the identity card for foreigners valid for expatriation?
No. For foreign citizens residing in Italy, the Italian identity card is only valid as an identification document and does not constitute a document valid for expatriation.
Roma Capitale specifies that, for resident EU and non-EU citizens, the identity card has exclusively the value of an identification document and does not constitute a document valid for expatriation. The same page specifies that, for both resident EU citizens and resident non-EU citizens, the card is issued not valid for expatriation purposes.
To travel outside Italy, the foreigner must therefore use the passport or travel document of their own country, in addition to the residence permit when necessary.
Identity card, residence permit and passport: differences
Many foreign citizens confuse these three documents, but they have different functions.
| Document | Main function | Issuing authority |
|---|---|---|
| Italian identity card | Identification document in Italy | Municipality |
| Residence permit | Title authorizing legal stay in Italy | Police Headquarters |
| Passport | International travel document | Country of citizenship |
| Tax code | Tax and administrative identification | Revenue Agency or authorized authorities |
The identity card alone does not prove the right to stay in Italy. For non-EU citizens, the decisive document remains the residence permit.
Useful further information:
Requirements to request the Italian identity card
The requirements vary slightly between EU citizens and non-EU citizens.
| Applicant | Main requirements |
|---|---|
| EU citizen residing in Italy | Registered residence, valid national identity document, possible residence certificate if required by the Municipality |
| Non-EU citizen residing in Italy | Registered residence, passport or other valid document, residence permit or residence card |
| Non-EU minor | Own residence permit or inclusion in the residence permit of one of the parents, according to municipal practices |
| Permit being renewed | Possible request with renewal receipt or equivalent documentation accepted by the Municipality |
Can the identity card be requested without residence?
As a rule, no. For foreigners, the request for the Italian identity card presupposes registered residence in Italy.
In some particular cases, legislation and municipal practices allow requests at a Municipality other than the one of residence, for example for serious and proven reasons. However, these are exceptional situations and not the ordinary procedure.
Documents required for the application
Documents may vary depending on the Municipality, but in most cases the following are required:
| Document | When it is needed |
|---|---|
| Tax code or health card | Required for administrative identification |
| Recent passport photo | Must comply with the requirements provided for identity documents |
| Passport or national identity document | Needed to identify the applicant |
| Residence permit or residence card | Necessary for non-EU citizens |
| Residence permit renewal receipt | Useful if the permit has expired but renewal has been requested |
| Old identity card | Required in case of renewal |
| Theft or loss report | Necessary if the previous document was stolen or lost |
How to request the Italian identity card for foreigners
1. Check registered residence
The first step is to check that you are registered with the Registry Office of the Municipality. Those who have just obtained a residence permit or have moved to Italy must first complete the residence application.
2. Prepare the documents
Before booking, it is advisable to check the page of the Municipality of residence. Each Municipality may require specific documents, especially for non-EU citizens, minors, permits being renewed or cases of loss.
3. Book the appointment
The appointment can be booked through the “Prenotazioni CIE” portal, if the Municipality has activated the service, or through the channels made available by the Registry Office. The Ministry of the Interior confirms that the platform allows appointments to be booked at participating Municipalities.
4. Go to the Municipality
The applicant must appear in person at the registry desk. During the appointment, the documents are checked, the passport photo is acquired and, where required, biometric data are collected.
5. Wait for production and delivery
The CIE is not normally delivered immediately at the desk. It is personalized, printed and shipped by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato. At the time of the request, the citizen may choose delivery to the residence address, another indicated address or the Municipality.
CIE issuance times
The electronic identity card generally requires a few working days to be produced and delivered. The Ministry of the Interior indicates that those who choose collection at the Municipality can collect the CIE after six working days from the request.
| Phase | Indicative time |
|---|---|
| Document collection | 1–3 days, if the documents are available |
| Appointment booking | Variable depending on the Municipality |
| Appointment at the Registry Office | Normally on the booked date |
| CIE production and delivery | About 6 working days |
| Complex cases | Longer times if there are problems regarding residence, permit or documents |
Validity of the Italian identity card
The validity of the CIE depends on the age of the holder. The card expires on the first birthday after 3 years for minors under 3 years old, after 5 years for minors between 3 and 18 years old and after 9 years plus the days until the date of birth for adults; in practical terms, for adults it is normally about 10 years.
| Holder’s age | Validity |
|---|---|
| Minor under 3 years old | 3 years |
| Minor between 3 and 18 years old | 5 years |
| Adult | About 10 years |
| Temporary impossibility to capture fingerprints | 12 months |
For non-EU citizens, the identity card remains connected to the regularity of the stay. If the residence permit is not renewed or is revoked, problems may also arise regarding the use of the identity document.
How much does the electronic identity card cost?
The fixed cost of the CIE is €16.79. Fixed fees and secretarial fees applied by the Municipality may be added to this amount.
Payment may take place according to the methods provided by the Municipality: pagoPA, payment at the desk, POS or another method indicated in the local procedure.
What changes in 2026 for the paper identity card
From 3 August 2026, the paper identity card will cease to be valid both in Italy and in European Union countries, regardless of the expiry date shown on the document. The Ministry of the Interior has launched an institutional campaign to inform citizens that, from that date, the only valid version will be the CIE.
For those who still have a paper card, it is advisable to request replacement with the Electronic Identity Card in good time, especially in Municipalities with long appointment waiting times.
Common mistakes to avoid
Thinking that the identity card replaces the residence permit
The identity card identifies the person, but does not authorize the stay. For non-EU citizens, the residence permit remains the fundamental document for living legally in Italy.
Using it as a travel document
Foreigners residing in Italy cannot use the Italian identity card to expatriate. To travel, they must use the passport or document of the country of citizenship, together with the residence permit when required.
Showing up without tax code or passport photo
Many Municipalities require tax code, health card and compliant passport photo. Arriving with incomplete documentation may require booking a new appointment.
Not checking the rules of one’s Municipality
Operational rules may vary: booking, payment, additional documents, issuance to minors, procedures for expired or renewed permits. Before the appointment, it is always useful to check the Municipality’s website.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners request the Italian identity card?
Yes. Foreigners residing in Italy can request it at the Municipality, if they have completed registration with the registry office and, for non-EU citizens, if they have a valid residence title or equivalent documentation accepted by the Municipality.
Is a residence permit needed to request the identity card?
Yes, for non-EU citizens. The Municipality of Milan indicates among the necessary documents the residence permit or residence card; in case of an expired permit, the renewal receipt or booking indicated by the Municipality may be sufficient.
Can I request the identity card with an expired residence permit?
Yes, in many cases it is possible if renewal has been correctly requested. The expired permit must be presented together with the renewal receipt or the documentation indicated by the competent Municipality.
Is the identity card for foreigners valid for travelling abroad?
No. For EU and non-EU citizens residing in Italy, the Italian identity card is valid as an identification document and does not constitute a document valid for expatriation.
How long does it take to receive the CIE?
Generally about 6 working days after the request, but the overall times also depend on appointment availability in the Municipality. Collection may take place at the Municipality or through delivery to the chosen address.
How long does the Italian identity card last?
The duration depends on age: 3 years for minors under 3 years old, 5 years for minors between 3 and 18 years old and about 10 years for adults.
Do I need to update the identity card if I change address?
As a rule, it is not necessary to redo the identity card just because the residence address changes. However, the change of residence must be correctly communicated to the Registry Office.
Does the CIE allow access to online services?
Yes. The Electronic Identity Card can be used as a digital identity to access the online services of participating Public Administrations and, through the CieSign app, also to sign electronic documents.
How Arletti Partners supports you
Studio A&P assists foreign citizens residing in Italy in the procedure for requesting the Electronic Identity Card for foreigners. The support may include verification of requirements, document checking, assistance in booking the appointment at the Registry Office and support in cases where there are doubts about residence, residence permit or foreign documents. The Arletti Partners service page expressly indicates assistance in document collection, appointment booking and correct completion of the request. (Arletti Partners)