The Italian government has delayed the deadline—originally 3 August 2026—for citizens to replace paper identity cards with the new Carta d’Identità Elettronica (CIE). A decree-law published on 26 June extends the validity of the old document until its natural expiry to prevent municipal offices from being overwhelmed by last-minute applicants.
![Italy Postpones Mandatory Switch to Electronic ID Cards—But Paper IDs Lose Travel Validity]()
For travelers and companies needing practical help with the switch to the CIE—or with any accompanying visa or passport issues—VisaHQ provides streamlined online support. By visiting https://www.visahq.com/italy/ individuals and HR departments can find step-by-step application guidance, document checklists, and expedited processing services that simplify compliance with Italy’s updated identity and travel requirements.
However, the deferment comes with a major caveat for international mobility: from 3 August, paper IDs will no longer be accepted for cross-border travel within the EU or in non-EU countries (such as Switzerland and Egypt) that currently recognise Italian ID cards. Travellers wishing to leave the country with only a paper card will need either a passport or, in urgent cases, a six-month provisional ID that may be issued by a mayor, pending final templates from the Interior Ministry. For employers, the change means that mobile workers who still use paper IDs must obtain a CIE or a passport before undertaking Schengen business trips after early August. HR teams should audit expatriate dependants and frequent cross-border commuters, especially those living in border regions who rely on the ID card for daily movement. While paper cards remain valid domestically (including for bank, healthcare and digital-identity services) until 31 January 2027, the government emphasises that the CIE offers enhanced biometric security and is already integrated with the forthcoming European Digital Wallet. Companies should therefore budget time and resources for the transition rather than rely on the extension.
For travelers and companies needing practical help with the switch to the CIE—or with any accompanying visa or passport issues—VisaHQ provides streamlined online support. By visiting https://www.visahq.com/italy/ individuals and HR departments can find step-by-step application guidance, document checklists, and expedited processing services that simplify compliance with Italy’s updated identity and travel requirements.
However, the deferment comes with a major caveat for international mobility: from 3 August, paper IDs will no longer be accepted for cross-border travel within the EU or in non-EU countries (such as Switzerland and Egypt) that currently recognise Italian ID cards. Travellers wishing to leave the country with only a paper card will need either a passport or, in urgent cases, a six-month provisional ID that may be issued by a mayor, pending final templates from the Interior Ministry. For employers, the change means that mobile workers who still use paper IDs must obtain a CIE or a passport before undertaking Schengen business trips after early August. HR teams should audit expatriate dependants and frequent cross-border commuters, especially those living in border regions who rely on the ID card for daily movement. While paper cards remain valid domestically (including for bank, healthcare and digital-identity services) until 31 January 2027, the government emphasises that the CIE offers enhanced biometric security and is already integrated with the forthcoming European Digital Wallet. Companies should therefore budget time and resources for the transition rather than rely on the extension.
