Starting June 1, 2026, millions of Italian citizens residing outside Italy will be able to obtain the Electronic Identity Card (Carta d’Identità Elettronica – CIE) through a significantly simplified procedure.
The change was introduced by Article 5 of Law No. 11 of January 19, 2026, which allows citizens registered with AIRE (the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) to apply for a CIE at any Italian municipality, regardless of the municipality in which they are officially registered.
This represents a significant departure from the previous system, under which the primary channel for obtaining the document was the competent Italian Consulate, often resulting in procedures and waiting times dependent on the availability of consular offices.
In practical terms, an Italian citizen living in New York, London, Buenos Aires, or Sydney will now be able to take advantage of a trip to Italy and submit an application at any municipality in the country, without being tied to their municipality of last residence or AIRE registration.
The card may be collected directly from the municipality or delivered abroad in accordance with applicable regulations. Appointments can also be scheduled through the tools provided by the Ministry of the Interior or by following the procedures adopted by individual local authorities.
The measure affects a community of more than 6.5 million Italian citizens living abroad and represents one of the most significant administrative simplifications introduced in recent years for Italians around the world.
The reform has a dual objective: to reduce the workload of Italian consulates and to provide Italians living abroad with faster and more flexible access to a document that has become essential not only for personal identification but also for accessing a wide range of digital services.
Although administrative in nature, the reform will have a tangible impact on the daily lives of millions of Italians residing outside the country, many of whom have long called for simpler, more efficient, and more accessible procedures.