This guide takes you from choosing the correct office to receiving your CIE, then explains online use with the PIN, PUK and CieID app.
Booking and payment arrangements vary between municipalities and consulates. Always check the competent office’s instructions before attending, and do not send documents or codes to unverified contacts.
CIE in 2026: key facts
- Ordinary renewal
- From 180 days before expiry
- Base fee in Italy
- €16.79 plus fees set by the municipality
- Delivery in Italy
- Normally within 6 working days, without an absolute guarantee
- Children
- Fingerprints and signature from age 12; both parents’ consent for travel
- AIRE
- From 1 June 2026, applications also accepted at any Italian municipality
- Paper identity card
- From 3 August 2026, only limited exceptions remain
Section 1
The CIE at a glance
It is both a physical identity document and a digital identity tool, but the two uses follow different rules.
The Electronic Identity Card is the identity document issued by the Italian state. If it is valid for travel, it can be used in countries that recognise it.
Its chip also supports access to services displaying “Entra con CIE”. The level selected by each service determines whether credentials and a second factor are sufficient or whether the card, PIN and chip reading are required.
The practical route is: identify your case, choose and contact the office, prepare the photo and documents, attend, protect the receipt and codes, and check delivery.
Physical document
It proves identity and may be valid for travel within the stated limits.
Digital identity
It provides access to participating services at different security levels.
Public issuance
Applications go through a municipality or competent consulate, not a private intermediary.
Local arrangements
Booking, local fees and payment must be checked with the relevant office.
Section 2
When to apply or renew
First issue, renewal, damage and loss have different requirements.
| Situation | When to act | Document to bring |
|---|---|---|
| First issue | When you do not have an identity card | Another valid document or the two-witness procedure |
| Ordinary renewal | During the 180 days before expiry | Existing card |
| Paper card or older CIE | Replacement is possible before expiry | Document being replaced |
| Damage | When the card or chip is damaged | Damaged card |
| Theft or loss | After reporting and blocking it | Police report and another document if available |
Check before booking
- Printed expiry date and type of document held.
- Correct personal details and Italian tax code.
- Any police report or evidence of a data change.
- Municipal rules for booking, payment and photograph.
Section 3
Validity and expiry
Age, application date and fingerprint capture determine the actual validity period.
| Age when applying | Validity | Practical rule |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | 3 years | Expiry on the first birthday after the stated period |
| From 3 to under 18 | 5 years | Expiry on the first birthday after the stated period |
| From 18 to under 70 | Up to 10 years | Nine years plus the days to the next birthday |
| At least 70, card issued by 29 July 2026 | Up to 10 years | The printed expiry remains applicable |
| Fingerprints temporarily unavailable | 12 months | Special validity stated on the card |
The precise date is the one printed on the card. Do not calculate it simply by counting years from the application.
Cards already issued keep their printed expiry unless an official rule specifically applicable to the case says otherwise.
Section 4
Where to apply
A municipality, a consulate and the new AIRE option are not interchangeable channels.
Residents in Italy
Start with your municipality of residence or abode; check in advance whether another municipality accepts the application.
Different place of abode
Contact the office first to check acceptance and any additional verification.
AIRE residents applying in Italy
From 1 June 2026, they may apply at any Italian municipality.
Residents abroad
The consulate remains the one responsible for the district of residence.
What to check on the official website
- Whether booking is required and which platform to use.
- Days and hours for CIE applications.
- Total fee and accepted payment method.
- Whether a paper photo or digital upload is accepted.
- Collection, delivery, delegation and extra documents.
Section 5
Documents, photograph and biometrics
A correct checklist helps prevent wasted appointments and processing delays.
Ordinary checklist in Italy
- A recent photograph, normally no more than six months old, 35 × 45 mm and compliant with the official rules.
- The existing identity card or another valid identity document.
- Italian tax code or health card, recommended to speed up checks.
- Payment receipt or details if advance payment is required.
- Police report in case of theft or loss.
- Consents and extra documents for a child or special circumstances.
| Item | General rule | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph | Paper or digital where the municipal system allows it | No retouching or non-compliant images |
| Signature | Captured from age 12 | It may be omitted in the legally defined cases |
| Fingerprints | Two fingerprints from age 12 | Stored in the chip, not in an external database |
| Contact details | Mobile number and, where available, e-mail | Also used for credentials and PUK recovery |
Section 6
Appointment and office procedure
Check your details before signing and keep everything you receive.
Ordinary process
Check the office
Open the institutional website, review the requirements and book if necessary.
Prepare and pay
Gather the documents and photo and follow the stated payment method.
Attend in person
The official checks identity and data and captures the photo, signature and fingerprints where required.
Check the data
Immediately flag errors in personal details, address or travel validity.
Choose delivery
Give the address, collection choice and any authorised recipient in the permitted form.
Keep the receipt
It contains the application number and first half of the PIN and PUK.
Before leaving the office
- Check your name and place and date of birth.
- Verify the delivery address and any authorised recipient.
- Ask how to track or collect the card.
- Separate and protect the receipt containing the first code digits.
Section 7
Fees, delivery and authorised recipients
The national charge is only part of the total, and accurate delivery information matters.
| Item | Official indication | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| National component | €16.79 | Additional municipal fees |
| Total in Italy | Varies by municipality and issue type | Amount, reference and payment |
| Delivery in Italy | Normally within 6 working days | Address, collection and tracking |
| Consular procedure | €21.95 first issue/renewal; €27.11 duplicate | Local currency and payment method |
Avoid delivery problems
- Give a complete address where the holder or an authorised person can receive the card.
- Name any authorised recipient during the application, not after dispatch.
- For municipal collection, keep the receipt and follow the published rules.
- Check tracking without entering data on a website reached through a suspicious text message.
Section 8
CIE for children
Arrange the child’s attendance and consent for travel before the appointment.
A CIE can be requested from birth. The child must normally attend the office with a person exercising parental responsibility.
A card valid for travel requires both parents’ consent. Separation or divorce does not automatically remove this requirement.
Essential checks
- Under age 12, neither signature nor fingerprints are captured.
- From age 12, the signature and two fingerprints are captured.
- For a child under 14, the parents’ names can be requested on the reverse.
- If one parent cannot consent, follow the office’s authentication or judicial-authorisation process.
- A declaration of accompaniment for a child under 14 travelling without a parent is a separate requirement.
| Age | Ordinary validity | Biometrics |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | 3 years | No signature or fingerprints |
| From 3 to under 12 | 5 years | No signature or fingerprints |
| From 12 to under 18 | 5 years | Signature and fingerprints |
Section 9
Travel validity
A CIE valid for travel is not a universal passport.
Check that the card has no travel restriction and that it is intact and unexpired. Then verify the destination and every transit point.
The CIE is recognised in the European Union and other countries with specific arrangements, but rules may change. Viaggiare Sicuri remains the practical check before departure.
Destination
Check whether it accepts an Italian identity card for your type of journey.
Transit
A country where you change flights may also require a passport.
Children
Check consent, accompaniment and the carrier’s document requirements.
Emergency abroad
Contact the consulate to assess an emergency travel document.
Before travelling
- Check expiry, condition and travel validity.
- Read the destination’s Viaggiare Sicuri page.
- Check the carrier’s rules and any transit requirements.
- Keep useful details and consular contacts separately.
Section 10
PIN and PUK: delivery and use
The two codes serve different functions and are split between the receipt and the card letter.
- PIN
- An 8-digit personal code used for level 3 and other protected operations.
- PUK
- An 8-digit code that unlocks or resets the PIN and contributes to level 1 and 2 activation.
- First 4 digits
- Provided on the receipt when the application is made.
- Last 4 digits
- Provided in the letter delivered with the card.
| Event | Effect | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 3 consecutive incorrect PIN entries | PIN blocked | Unlock with PUK and set a new PIN |
| Forgotten PIN | Protected access unavailable | Reset with the PUK |
| 10 consecutive incorrect PUK entries | Digital function permanently blocked | New issue for new codes |
| Digital block | The chip can no longer authenticate | The card remains a physical identity document |
Section 11
Online access: levels 1, 2 and 3
Not every login requires NFC: the service determines the required level.
| Level | What you need | Card or NFC |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Username and password | Not required |
| 2 | Level 1 plus OTP or CieID authorisation | No card reading required |
| 3 | Physical card, PIN and chip reading | NFC or a contactless reader required |
Activating levels 1 and 2
- Open the official activation portal through the CIE website.
- Enter your tax code, card serial number and the requested digits from the first half of the PUK.
- Verify at least the mobile number supplied when applying and, if used, your e-mail.
- Create a password and choose an available second factor.
Section 12
CieID app, smartphone and computer
Certifying a device for level 2 and registering the card for level 3 are different operations.
Registering the card for level 3
Install the official app
Reach the app store from the CIE portal and check the developer is Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato.
Check NFC
Reading the chip requires a compatible phone with NFC enabled.
Select “Registra la tua carta”
Enter the full 8-digit PIN during the first registration.
Hold the CIE to the phone
Keep the card over the NFC point until reading completes.
Level 2 without NFC
Simplified access through the app, a push or a code after device certification.
Level 3 on mobile
Physical card, PIN and an NFC phone with CieID.
Level 3 on a computer
CIE Software and a compatible contactless reader.
Computer with phone
An NFC phone can act as the reader by following the service’s QR and on-screen steps.
Section 13
Recovering the PUK and unlocking the PIN
PUK recovery through the app requires the card, NFC, an associated contact and 48 hours.
PUK recovery with CieID
Prepare the phone
NFC and a screen lock using a code or biometrics are required.
Read the card
Open “Recupero PUK”, hold the card to the phone and enter the requested serial number.
Confirm the contact
Use the mobile number or e-mail associated with the card.
Wait 48 hours
A notification then lets you complete the procedure and view the PUK.
Set a new PIN
Use the PUK in the app or CIE Software to unlock the card.
If you know the PIN and only want to change it, use “Gestione carta” in the app or CIE Software. The PUK itself cannot be changed.
Section 14
Theft, loss and damage
A police report, blocking and a new application are separate steps and all matter when loss is confirmed.
What to do immediately
File a police report
Report the incident to the authorities and retain a copy and report details.
Block the CIE
Call the official 800 098558 number and provide the requested details.
Contact a municipality
Take the report and apply for a new card.
If you are abroad
Also follow the competent consulate’s instructions for a travel document and return journey.
| Service | Contact | Published hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theft or loss blocking | 800 098558 | Mon–Fri 08:00–18:00; Sat 08:00–14:00 |
| CIE assistance | +39 06 4298 5699 | Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00; Sat 09:00–13:00 |
| E-mail assistance | cie.cittadini@interno.it | Use only the address published on the portal |
Section 15
AIRE and applications abroad
From 1 June 2026 there is an extra option in Italy, but consular territorial responsibility remains.
| Channel | Who can use it | Main rule |
|---|---|---|
| Competent consulate | Italian resident in its district and registered with AIRE/ANPR | Booking and payment follow the office’s process |
| Any Italian municipality | AIRE-registered citizen from 1 June 2026 | Clearance from the AIRE municipality if different |
| Another consulate | Cannot be freely selected | Territorial responsibility remains |
Consular requirements and preparation
- Stable residence in the district and registration in the consular/AIRE records.
- Validated tax code and address; a birth record transcribed in Italy if born abroad.
- Booking through Prenot@mi or the channel published by the office.
- Photo, previous document or two witnesses, plus any additional evidence requested.
- At least 15 days between the appointment request and appointment date for the preliminary checks described by the Foreign Ministry.
Ordinary consular fee
€21.95 for first issue or renewal, using the local currency and method.
Duplicate
€27.11 for theft or loss, plus the required evidence.
Delivery abroad
Indicatively from about 15 days, with times varying by country.
Application in Italy
Municipal procedure and fees apply, not the consular fee automatically.
Section 16
Paper identity cards from 3 August 2026
The end of general validity has limited domestic exceptions, not a universal extension.
EU Regulation 2025/1208 ends the validity of documents missing the minimum security requirements on their expiry date or 3 August 2026, whichever comes first. The Italian paper identity card is affected by this transition.
Law 4 August 2026, no. 142, effective from 8 August, finally converted Decree-Law no. 108/2026 and confirmed the Article 11 rules without substantive changes.
From 3 August, the paper card is no longer valid for travel even if it shows a later expiry date. If it is still unexpired and you are awaiting a CIE, until 31 January 2027 you may use it for identification only in the cases listed below.
Temporary uses allowed until 31 January 2027
- Exercising fundamental rights and accessing healthcare, social-security and insurance benefits.
- Relations with public administrations and providers of public services.
- Delivery of mail and judicial documents.
- Withdrawing or depositing money at banks and providers of financial or postal services.
| Case | Until | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Contract concluded by 3 August 2026 where the card identified the parties | Printed expiry | Only for the purposes of that existing contractual relationship |
| Unexpired paper card while awaiting a CIE | 31 January 2027 | Only for identification in the uses listed above |
| Temporary document for an urgent situation | May be issued until 31 December 2027 | Validity set by the municipality, maximum 6 months; non-renewable |
Section 17
Problems and support
Start from the type of problem and use the official channel closest to its cause.
| Problem | First step | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Booking or payment | Check the instructions and application | Municipality or consulate |
| Delivery | Check tracking and the address | Municipality and delivery channel |
| Incorrect details on the card | Do not try to correct them yourself | Issuing municipality or consulate |
| Blocked PIN | Unlock it with the PUK | CieID or CIE Software |
| PUK unavailable | Start recovery or update the contact | CieID or any municipality |
| Online access failure | Check level, card, NFC and browser | CIE support and the destination service |
Useful information without exposing secrets
- Describe the problem and when it occurs.
- Give the device model, operating system and browser where relevant.
- Provide an application number or serial only through an official channel that requires it.
- Never send a PIN, PUK, password, OTP or app code.
Section 18
Security and phishing prevention
The card, codes and authorisations are three separate factors to protect.
Practical rules
- Start from the service you want and personally select “Entra con CIE”.
- Check the cartaidentita.interno.gov.it domain and the official app developer.
- Never disclose a PIN, PUK, password, OTP or app code.
- Do not approve a push notification or QR flow unless you just started the login.
- Check the data requested by the service before authorising it.
- Remove unused devices and change the password if you suspect access.
- Keep the receipt, codes and card in separate places.
If you authorised an unexpected login, change the password immediately, review associated devices and contact official support. If the card is missing, also follow the police-report and blocking process.
Section 19
Related guides
Complete the route with digital identity, personal records and security guidance.
- SPID guideCompare another digital identity accepted by many Italian services.
- IO appUse SPID or CIE in the supported ways to access messages, payments and public services.
- Italian tax codeCheck assignment, corrections and Revenue Agency documents.
- Italian health cardManage the card, replacement and data linked to the tax code.
- Residency registrationPrepare the registration and municipal checks.
- AIRE registration and FAST ITBefore applying for a CIE as a resident abroad, check that your AIRE record and address are up to date.
- Scam preventionRecognise suspicious messages, websites and credential requests.
- Getting startedChoose the Italian public-service route that fits your situation.
- All guidesBrowse the other practical Percorso Cittadino guides.
Section 20
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions about issuance, travel and digital use.
Can I apply for a CIE at any municipality?
The ordinary route is your municipality of residence or abode. The CIE portal also uses the wording “any municipality”, but you should confirm availability, booking and procedure before using a different office. From 1 June 2026, AIRE-registered citizens can expressly apply at any Italian municipality; if it is not their AIRE municipality, the office requests its clearance.
How early can I renew a CIE?
Ordinary renewal is available during the 180 days before expiry. A paper identity card or an older-model CIE can be replaced earlier; theft, loss, damage or changes to personal data follow specific procedures.
How long is a CIE valid?
For a child under 3 it expires on the first birthday after three years from issue; from age 3 to under 18, on the first birthday after five years. Ordinary adult validity does not exceed ten years. For CIEs issued from 30 July 2026 to a person aged 70 or over when applying, the law provides unlimited validity and travel validity; renewal may be requested after 10 years for the authentication certificate.
How much does a CIE cost in Italy?
The national component is €16.79. The municipality adds fixed or administration fees and may charge a different amount for a duplicate. Before your appointment, check the total, payment reference and accepted payment method on the municipality’s official website.
How long does delivery take?
The official portal normally indicates six working days from an application in Italy, but this is not an absolute guarantee. Where available, you can select delivery to an address or collection from the municipality; keep the receipt and use the available tracking. Abroad, delivery takes longer and varies by country.
Do both parents need to consent to a child’s CIE?
A CIE valid for travel requires both parents’ consent, including where they are separated or divorced. The child must normally attend. If one parent cannot give consent in person, follow the procedure specified by the municipality or consulate; do not assume the other parent’s signature is sufficient.
Does a CIE always replace a passport?
No. It can replace a passport only when it is valid for travel and both the destination and any transit country accept an identity card. Check Viaggiare Sicuri and the country rules before travelling; many non-European destinations require a passport.
Is an Italian paper identity card valid after 3 August 2026?
From 3 August 2026 it ceases to be valid, regardless of the printed expiry, except for the limited exceptions in Article 11 of Decree-Law no. 108/2026, confirmed by Law no. 142/2026. It remains usable for contractual relationships concluded by that date where it was used to identify the parties and, only while awaiting a CIE, until 31 January 2027 for the uses expressly listed by law. It is no longer valid for travel.
What is the difference between the PIN and the PUK?
The PIN is used for CIE level 3 access and other protected operations. The PUK unlocks or resets the PIN. Both have eight digits: the first four are on the application receipt and the last four arrive with the card.
Does CieID always require an NFC phone?
No. Levels 1 and 2 can work with credentials, an OTP or the app without reading the card. NFC is required to register and read the card on a phone for level 3, to recover the PUK and for other chip-based operations.
Can I activate online access before the card arrives?
If you provided at least a mobile number when applying, you can activate level 1 and 2 credentials before delivery using your tax code, card serial number and the requested digits from the first half of the PUK. Level 3 requires the physical card, its PIN and a compatible device.
How can I recover a forgotten PUK?
Using CieID requires the card, an NFC phone, an associated contact and an active screen lock. The process includes a 48-hour wait and is not immediate. If no contact was supplied or you cannot remember it, visit any municipality to update it and request help or a code reprint.
What should I do if my CIE is lost or stolen?
File a police report, request the block using the official 800 098558 number and take the report to a municipality for a new card. If it happens abroad, also contact the competent Italian consulate. Check the current blocking-service hours on the CIE portal.
I am registered with AIRE: where can I apply?
You can use the consulate responsible for your district if you meet the AIRE and registration requirements, or any Italian municipality from 1 June 2026. You cannot freely choose another consulate. Fees, booking and delivery arrangements differ between consular and municipal procedures.
Section 21
Official sources
Sources are centralised and were checked on the date shown at the top.
The CIE portal is the main operational source. Foreign Ministry, DAIT, Official Gazette, prefecture and EUR-Lex sources were also used for AIRE, paper-card validity and 2026 legal changes, including Law no. 142/2026, the final consolidated text, the decree approving the temporary-document model and Circular no. 61/2026.
Local booking and payment instructions can change without altering the national rule: always recheck the municipality or consulate before acting.
- Official Electronic Identity Card portalOfficial starting point for issuance, use, support and CIE updates.
- Apply for or renew a CIE in ItalyPrimary operational source for issuance, validity, documents, base fee and renewal.
- CIE issuance and renewal for minorsThe child’s attendance, parental consent, travel validity, signature and fingerprints from age 12.
- Official photo requirementsPhoto size, recency, quality and accepted acquisition methods.
- Fingerprint acquisitionRules for fingerprint capture from age 12 and storage in the card chip.
- CIE delivery and collectionIndicative times, address, municipal collection, delegation and shipment tracking.
- Travelling with a CIETravel validity and checks to complete before departure.
- PIN and PUK security codesCode composition, two-part delivery, PIN change and PUK-based unlocking.
- Log in with CIE — levels 1 and 2Activation and access with credentials and a second factor, without reading the card.
- Log in with CIE — level 3Access using the physical card, PIN, NFC or a contactless reader.
- CieID app and access methodsCard registration, simplified access, NFC requirements and computer use.
- Recovering the PUK with the CieID appRequirements, the 48-hour wait and the municipal alternative.
- CIE loss or theftPolice report, blocking, replacement and instructions for incidents abroad.
- Official CIE supportFAQ, current contacts and opening hours for card, code or digital access issues.
- Apply for or renew a CIE abroadGeneral requirements for Italian citizens living in the relevant consular district.
- CIE for Italian citizens living abroad (Italian)Enabled offices, AIRE requirements, appointments, consular fees and delivery.
- DAIT Circular no. 54/2026 — CIE for AIRE citizens (Italian)Operational instructions for applying at any Italian municipality from 1 June 2026.
- Law no. 11/2026 — legal basis for AIRE citizens (Italian)Legal basis allowing AIRE citizens to request a CIE in Italy outside their AIRE municipality.
- CIE from age 70 — rule applying from 30 July 2026 (Italian)Consolidated Decree-Law no. 19/2026, converted by Law no. 50/2026, on the card’s unlimited physical validity.
- Regulation (EU) 2025/1208 — identity cardsEU security requirements and end-of-validity rules for non-compliant identity cards.
- Decree-Law no. 108/2026 — final consolidated text (Italian)Text consolidated with Law no. 142/2026; Article 11 governs the paper-card exceptions and temporary document.
- Law 4 August 2026, no. 142 — final conversion (Italian)Law converting Decree-Law no. 108/2026, published on 7 August and effective from 8 August 2026.
- Decree of 4 August 2026 — temporary-document model (Italian)Interministerial decree approving the model required by Article 11(3) of Decree-Law no. 108/2026.
- Circular no. 61/2026 — issuing the temporary document (Italian)Initial operating instructions on documented urgency, distribution and issue of the new temporary document.