The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a worldwide notice informing citizens that the old paper-format Carta d’Identità will no longer be valid for cross-border travel as of 3 August 2026. The alert, circulated on 13 July through all embassies and consulates, follows Legislative Decree 108/2026, which mandates exclusive use of the Electronic Identity Card (CIE). Italian nationals registered with AIRE (the registry of residents abroad) may now apply for the CIE at any municipality during visits to Italy, a change designed to avoid long waits at consulates. The ministry recommends applying at least three weeks before intended travel, as biometric cards are printed centrally in Rome and shipped via courier. Airlines have been instructed to deny boarding to holders of paper IDs for extra-Schengen flights after the deadline. Within the EU, acceptance will depend on bilateral agreements, but carriers emphasise that the machine-readable CIE speeds up e-gate processing under the new Entry/Exit System. Corporate mobility teams should audit employee travel documents immediately: assignees based abroad who rely on the paper card for identity within the EU should schedule municipal appointments during summer home leave or request consular fast-track slots where available.
