From August 3rd we will all have to have the CIE (Electronic Identity Card): after saying goodbye to the driving license, comes the farewell to the paper identity card, which is retiring. All those who do not yet have the CIE will have to do so as soon as possible, regardless of the expiration of their paper CI. The problem? Not all municipalities may be ready.
The change comes as a result of European Regulation no. 1157/2019, implemented by our country with circular no. 76/2025 of Ministry of the Interior, Department for Internal and Territorial Affairs, Central Directorate for Demographic Serviceswhich must immediately be operational in all municipalities.
The Ministry of the Interior, Department for Internal and Territorial Affairs, Central Directorate for Demographic Services, with circular no. 76/2025 reiterated that, in implementation of the provisions of Regulation (EU) no. 1157/2019, identity cards in paper format already issued or in the process of being issued will retain their validity exclusively until 3 August 2026 – writes the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) – as they no longer correspond to the minimum security requirements established by the aforementioned Regulation
In fact, it all stems from the European Union’s desire to strengthen security measures on personal data: the paper cards (driving licenses, identity cards) that circulated and still circulate in our country are not equipped with electronic chips, and this – according to the EU – could constitute a security flaw.
The problem? Not all municipalities may be ready, on the contrary. Then, in big cities, where making an appointment for the CIE is already a nightmare, with bookings even 4 – 6 months away, chaos is expected.
In Rome and Milan, a dedicated task force has even been activated which will also have the task of alerting citizens by all possible means, as well as committing to replacing hundreds of thousands of documents which will no longer be valid from 3 August.
Will we make it?
Sources: ANCI / Consulate General of Italy Brussels
