Italy's paper identity cards are no longer valid for travel abroad as of 3 August 2026, under a European regulation that restricts cross-border identification to electronic documents.
The cards remain valid until 31 January 2027 for domestic purposes, including dealings with public administration, healthcare, and social security services. Municipalities may issue a non-renewable provisional document valid for up to six months that permits foreign travel, though authorities warn that some countries may not accept it. Consumer group Assoutenti advises travellers to check entry requirements via the foreign ministry's travel advisory portal.
Separately, electronic ID cards issued to citizens aged 70 and over now carry unlimited validity under a February decree, though their embedded digital certificates must still be renewed every ten years.