Italian citizens who still hold the old-style paper identity card have less than three weeks to switch to a biometric alternative if they intend to travel abroad. In a notice published on 13 July 2026, several Italian consulates – including those in Lyon (France) and Wellington (New Zealand) – reminded nationals that Decree-Law 108/26 abolished the international travel validity of the paper card as of 3 August. After that date the document will only be accepted inside Italy for domestic identification purposes. The change is part of a wider digital-identity overhaul that has already seen the electronic identity card (CIE) become mandatory for new issuances since 2018. Under the new rules, Italians registered with AIRE (the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) can now request the CIE at any Italian municipality when they return home, reducing the historical bottlenecks at consular offices. In truly urgent circumstances municipalities may still issue a six-month temporary travel document, but consulates warn that some foreign border authorities may refuse it, advising travellers to consult the Ministry’s “Viaggiare Sicuri” database before departure. For mobility managers the key takeaway is that employees travelling on assignment after 3 August must carry either a valid passport or a CIE. Carriers will be required to deny boarding to passengers presenting an outdated paper card at check-in, with airlines already updating their document-verification systems. Organisations should therefore audit staff documents immediately and schedule CIE appointments – which often require digital fingerprints – for anyone who still relies on the older format. Beyond compliance, the switch will eventually speed up border formalities. The biometric CIE is compatible with the EU’s automated eGate infrastructure and will support the forthcoming Entry/Exit System, potentially cutting queuing times for Italian nationals at Schengen airports. However, observers note that capacity constraints remain in smaller municipalities, so early action is essential. Finally, expatriates should be reminded that the paper card will remain valid inside Italy until its printed expiry date, meaning it can still be used to open bank accounts or sign leases during home leave. What it will no longer do is get its holder onto an international flight – a distinction that could prove costly if overlooked.
Source: Ambasciata d’Italia a Wellington
