Italian citizens who still hold a valid paper identity card may now be able to use it until the expiration date printed on the document, rather than being forced to replace it by a single national cutoff date.
Until the latest update, Italy’s remaining paper identity cards were expected to become invalid on August 3, 2026, even if the card itself showed a later expiration date. The Italian government has now indicated that paper ID cards that have not yet expired should remain valid until their original printed expiration date.
The change appears intended to avoid overwhelming municipal offices by allowing renewals to happen gradually, based on each card’s existing validity period. Some paper ID cards may still have remaining validity for several years, since these documents can be valid for up to 10 years.
This does not mean Italy is returning to paper identity cards. The Carta d’Identità Elettronica, Italy’s electronic identity card, remains the current identity document that citizens should expect to receive when renewing or replacing an ID card.
What Changed for Italians Abroad
The paper ID card update connects with an earlier change that began on June 1, 2026. Italian citizens registered with AIRE can now request the Carta d’Identità Elettronica not only through the Italian consular network, where the service is available, but also directly at any comune municipal office in Italy.
This may help Italian citizens living abroad who:
- are already planning a trip to Italy;
- have difficulty finding a consular appointment;
- need to renew or replace an identity card;
- prefer to handle the electronic ID request directly through a municipality in Italy.
Practical Steps Before Requesting the Electronic ID in Italy
Italian citizens planning to request the Carta d’Identità Elettronica directly in Italy should contact the comune in advance or check whether the municipality uses an online booking system.
Procedures may vary between municipalities, including:
- appointment availability;
- office rules;
- booking systems;
- document requirements;
- whether walk-in visits are accepted.
Showing up in person without checking first may not be the best option, depending on the municipality.
Main Practical Effect
For now, Italian citizens who still have a valid paper identity card should treat the expiration date printed on the card as the relevant date, rather than assuming the document will automatically expire on August 3, 2026.
The update gives paper ID card holders more time to transition to the electronic identity card while keeping the Carta d’Identità Elettronica as Italy’s standard identity document going forward.
