Identity card, electronic identity card compulsory from 3 August

There is a new date to mark on the calendar and it is 3 August. It is the day set for which the paper identity card will no longer be valid, definitively replaced by the electronic identity card (CIE).

Nothing can be done even if the document is still valid on the day of the scheduled date. As of this summer, in fact, if you were to be asked to show an identity document and were caught with your paper identity card, the latter would be considered invalid (also abroad).

This is the effect of the European Union's rules to strengthen the security of member states - and therefore also Italia - through European Regulation 1157 of 2019. The greatest risk for the old paper format would be counterfeiting, i.e. the risk of duplicating the document to create false identities. This explains why the regulations call for the paper version to be replaced.

The data, such as personal and biometric data, are contained within the microchip of the CIE, with the aim of ascertaining the identity of the card holder with certainty. This is an important step to ensure faster and more secure controls, especially at borders.

You have to go to your municipality of residence and ask for this document. The request can also be made in the municipality in which you are domiciled, but you still need the authorisation of your municipality of residence. The replacement of the paper identity card with the CIE can be requested at any time and will also not be considered a duplicate of the previous one.