This article is part of the "First Steps in Italy" cluster
Codice Fiscale 2026: how to get it - the first document in Italy
Permesso di soggiorno 2026 - residence permit and questura by cities
INPS and pensions 2026 - pension contributions and personal account
ISEE and benefits 2026 - allowances, bonuses, Assegno Unico
Healthcare SSN 2026 - booking a doctor and tessera sanitaria
Impatriati 2026 - tax relief for expats
Contents
- Why digital identification is needed in Italy 2026
- CIE: electronic identity card
- SPID: digital login for public services
- CNS: alternative via tessera sanitaria
- What you can do with SPID and CIE in 2026
- IO App: the state on your phone
- PEC: certified email
- Step-by-step guide for an immigrant
- Common problems and solutions
- Conclusions
Why digital identification is needed in Italy: SPID and CIE in 2026
Why is it practically impossible to do anything in Italy without SPID or CIE — from booking a doctor to checking your pension contributions?
SPID Italy and CIE Italy are the two main ways of digital identification, without which an immigrant’s life in Italy turns into endless queues and paperwork. Digital identification in Italy in 2026 is not an option but a necessity. Without it you are literally cut off from all public services.
Without SPID or CIE you cannot:
- Log into the INPS website — view your pension contributions, apply for NASPI, check your employment record
- Log into the Agenzia delle Entrate — 730 tax return, electronic invoices, CU
- Book a doctor via ASL or the regional platform
- Apply for ISEE — without it there are no benefits, discounts, bonuses
- Download certificates from ANPR (national registry of residency)
- Receive notifications from the state via the IO app
- Submit documents for university admission via Universitaly
Until 2020 you could get a PIN at an INPS office and log in with it. Since then the system has fully moved to SPID, CIE and CNS. Old PINs have stopped working, although some offices still issue something similar out of inertia.
Community experience
"I went to INPS to get a PIN at the office. The guard said — codes stopped working 2 years ago. But acquaintances did it that way. He went to check — it turned out it was possible. The procedure took 10 minutes."
Member of the immigration community, 2025
This case is rather an exception. In 2026 the standard login for all public portals is only via SPID or CIE. “How to get SPID as a foreigner” is one of the most frequent questions in the Russian-speaking community in Italy — no wonder: the procedure is not obvious, and without digital access you can’t even check whether your employer is paying contributions for you correctly.
SPID and CIE are not the same thing
SPID is a digital account (login and password + verification). CIE is a physical plastic card with a chip. Both grant access to the same services but work differently. Many people have both for reliability.
CIE in Italy 2026: electronic identity card
What is CIE, how can a foreigner obtain it, and how does it differ from a regular identity document?
CIE (Carta d’Identità Elettronica) is an electronic identity card issued by the comune. For foreigners, CIE in Italy is both an identity document within the country and a key to access public portals via the CieID app.
What you need to obtain a CIE
-
✓Valid permesso di soggiorno (residence permit)
Or a receipt of application/renewal (ricevuta). Without legal status the CIE will not be issued.
-
✓Residenza (registration of residence) in the comune
You must be registered. If you’ve just moved — register your residenza first.
-
✓Codice Fiscale
The tax code is required for all document operations.
-
✓Photo 35x45
Standard ID photo. Sometimes the comune takes the photo on the spot.
-
✓Payment ~17 EUR
The cost includes card issuance. Payment via revenue stamps (marca da bollo) or PagoPA.
How the issuance works
The procedure is simple: you book an appointment at the Ufficio Anagrafe of your comune (often via the comune’s website or by phone), come with documents, provide fingerprints and have your photo taken. The card is sent by mail in 7–15 working days. Along with the card you will receive an envelope with PIN and PUK codes — don’t throw it away, you’ll need it to activate CieID.
Foreigner’s CIE is NOT a travel document
Unlike the CIE for Italian citizens, a foreigner’s CIE does not grant the right to cross borders. To leave Italy you need your passport and a valid permesso. The foreigner CIE bears the note "non valida per l'espatrio".
CieID app: logging into sites without SPID
CieID is a free smartphone app (iOS and Android) that allows using CIE to log into public portals. It’s an alternative to SPID and for many people a more convenient option.
Community tip
"Download CieID and activate it. When you need to access official sites — INPS, check data, book a doctor — click to log in with CIE, the app on your phone will show a pop-up, press OK and you’re in."
From a discussion in the immigration chat, 2025
To activate CieID you need to:
- Download the CieID app from the App Store or Google Play
- Place the CIE near the phone (NFC) and enter the PIN code
- Set your own code for quick access
After activation — when logging into any public site choose “Entra con CIE”, the app will automatically show a confirmation request, press OK — and you’re inside.
CIE is level 3 — higher than SPID level 2
Logging in with CIE automatically grants authentication level 3 (maximum). SPID by default operates at level 2. For most services there is no difference, but some operations (electronic signing of documents) require level 3.
SPID in Italy 2026: how a foreigner can obtain digital identification
How can a foreigner get SPID in Italy: which providers, how much it costs, what documents are needed?
SPID (Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale) is the public digital identity system that works as a single login for all Italy’s public services. SPID Italy is one of the most common ways to access INPS, the tax office, ASL and hundreds of other agencies.
SPID providers in 2026
SPID is issued by accredited Identity Providers. Here are the main ones:
| Provider | Cost | Identification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poste Italiane (PosteID) | Free | In person at a branch | Most popular. Accepts foreign passport |
| Aruba | From 0 EUR | CIE / webcam / in person | Free if identified via CIE |
| Infocert | ~29.90 EUR | Webcam | Convenient without leaving home |
| Namirial | ~29.90 EUR | Webcam | Accepts foreign passport |
| Sielte | Free | Webcam / CIE | Free video identification |
| TIM id | Free | In person at TIM store | Only for TIM customers |
| Lepida | Free | CIE / CNS | Regional provider Emilia-Romagna |
| SpidItalia (Register) | ~29.90 EUR | Webcam | Fast procedure |
| Etna Hitech | ~29.90 EUR | Webcam | Less known but works |
The easiest free way is PosteID with in-branch identification at Poste Italiane. The fastest without leaving home is via CIE online with any provider.
Three SPID levels
Login and password. Basic level. Suitable for informational services without personal data. Practically unused.
Login + password + OTP code (SMS or app). Standard level for 99% of services: INPS, tax office, ASL, IO, ANPR. This is the one you’ll use every day.
Maximum protection — requires a physical token or a special app. Needed for electronic signature, access to judicial documents and some banking operations. Not all providers offer it.
How a foreigner can get SPID: two ways
Path 1: free via Poste Italiane (in person)
Start registration online at posteid.poste.it
Fill in your details: name, surname, codice fiscale, email, Italian phone number. Choose identification "at the branch".
Go to a Poste Italiane branch with your documents
Bring: passport, codice fiscale (card or printout), permesso di soggiorno. The operator will verify documents and complete identification.
Activate SPID
You will receive an email to complete activation. Download the PosteID app to get OTP codes. Done — you can log into any government site.
Path 2: online via CIE (~30 EUR with paid providers, free with some)
If you already have CIE and a phone with NFC — you can get SPID fully online without leaving home. Choose a provider, identify via CIE, and get SPID in 15–30 minutes.
Question from the community
"You can get SPID for 29.90 euros via webcam. It says you need carta d'identita or passaporto. Will they accept a NON-Italian passport?"
From a discussion in the immigration chat
Answer: yes, most providers accept a foreign passport for webcam identification. But each provider may have specific requirements — check in advance. The most reliable option for a foreigner is Poste Italiane in person; they definitely accept a foreign passport.
You can’t get SPID without an Italian number
All providers require an Italian mobile number to send OTP codes. If you don’t yet have an Italian SIM card — buy one before applying for SPID. The simplest plans cost 5–7 EUR/month from Iliad, ho. Mobile, Very Mobile.
You also need a personal email
For SPID you need an email address that is not linked to another SPID. If multiple people in a family apply — each needs their own email and phone number.
CNS in Italy: the tessera sanitaria alternative to SPID
What is CNS, when can it be useful and why is it a less convenient option?
CNS (Carta Nazionale dei Servizi) is the third way to log into public portals in Italy, alongside SPID and CIE. CNS works via the tessera sanitaria (health card) if its chip is activated.
How it works
A tessera sanitaria with an activated CNS chip is inserted into a lettore di smart card (card reader) — a USB device for reading smart cards. The reader connects to a computer, drivers are installed, and you can log into websites that support CNS.
CNS works, but it’s inconvenient
You need a physical card reader (~15–25 EUR on Amazon), driver installation, chip activation at the ASL or regional agency. And it only works from a computer — you can’t log in from your phone. For most people it’s easier to get SPID or activate CieID.
When CNS can be useful
- You don’t have a CIE (for example, you’re waiting for it) and you don’t have SPID
- You need access to regional medical services that work better via CNS
- Your phone doesn’t support NFC for CieID
- You prefer working from a computer
How to activate CNS
Get the tessera sanitaria
If you are registered in the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), you already have a tessera sanitaria. If not — register at the ASL.
Activate the CNS chip
Contact your region’s ASL or regional agency (depends on the region). They will activate the chip and provide a PIN code. In Lombardy this can be done in some pharmacies with a card reader.
Buy a card reader
On Amazon or electronics stores — a USB smart card reader. Price 15–25 EUR. Any reader compatible with Italian smart cards will do.
Install drivers and software
Download the middleware for your OS from the regional agency’s site. After installation — insert the card, enter the PIN, and you can log into government sites.
Community opinion
"Do pensioners need to bother with this or is it easier to get SPID? I have CIE and log into INPS with it, but for booking a doctor login is only via SPID."
From a discussion on digital services in the community
In practice: if you have CIE — use CieID. If you don’t have CIE but need access right now — get SPID. CNS is a fallback option that can help in specific situations.
What you can do with SPID and CIE in Italy 2026: full list of services
Which specific sites can you access via SPID and CIE, and what can you do there?
Digital identification in Italy opens access to thousands of public services. Here are the most important ones for an immigrant:
INPS - pensions, contributions, benefits
- Estratto conto contributivo - full statement of pension contributions for all years worked in Italy
- NASPI - submit an unemployment benefit claim online
- CU (Certificazione Unica) - download your annual income certificate
- Simulazione pensione - calculator for your future pension
- Bonus e indennità - apply for various bonuses and allowances
- ISEE precompilato - prefilled ISEE declaration
Agenzia delle Entrate - taxes
- 730 precompilato - prefilled tax return
- Fatture e Corrispettivi - electronic invoicing system for VAT-registered businesses (P.IVA)
- Cassetto fiscale - personal tax drawer with all your tax data
- Visura catastale - cadastral report on real estate
- Certificati - tax certificates and documents
Healthcare
- Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico - electronic medical record, all test results and examinations
- Prenotazione visite - booking specialist appointments via the regional platform
- Ricette elettroniche - electronic prescriptions from doctors
- Scelta del medico - choose and change your GP online
Other important services
Registry of residency. Download certificates of residence, household composition, stato civile — all online and free.
The state app. Fines, benefits, notifications, payments via PagoPA.
Portal for applying to Italian universities. Submit documents and track status.
Portal for public employees. Payslips, certificates, tax data.
User experience
"Having apps like CIE, INPS, IO is a necessity. Without them you almost don’t exist for the state. All certificates, appointments, notifications — only through them."
From a discussion in the Russian-speaking community in Italy
ANPR — free certificates without going to the comune
Since 2023 via ANPR (anagrafenazionale.interno.it) you can download 14 types of certificates for free: residence, household composition, stato civile and others. Previously you had to go to the comune and pay a marca da bollo for each certificate. Login — via SPID or CIE.
IO App in Italy 2026: the state on your phone
What is the IO app, why do you need it and how do you receive notifications from the state through it?
IO is the official app of the Italian government that acts as a single point of contact between you and the state. It’s free to download from the App Store and Google Play. To log in you need SPID or CIE.
What arrives in IO
- Fines - notifications about traffic fines (multe) with the option to pay directly in the app
- Benefits - information about Assegno Unico, bonuses and payments
- Tax notifications - reminders about tax deadlines
- Messages from the comune - notifications about appointments, documents, decisions
- Messages from INPS - status of applications, decisions on benefits
- Messages from ASL - vaccination reminders, test results (in some regions)
PagoPA: payments via IO
PagoPA is the unified payment system for all public payments in Italy. Through IO you can pay:
- Fines (multe stradali)
- School fees (mensa scolastica)
- Municipal taxes and fees (TARI, IMU)
- Medical fees (ticket sanitario)
- Revenue stamps (marca da bollo) for documents
Practical experience
"IO is very convenient — a parking fine came straight into the app, I pressed pay, money was taken from the card. Before you had to go to the post office or tabaccheria with a paper slip. You can also see Assegno Unico there — when and how much will be paid."
From the immigration community experience
IT Wallet in IO — digital documents
Since 2024 IO has included the IT Wallet feature — a digital wallet for documents. You can add your tessera sanitaria, driver’s license and patente (in the future — CIE). Documents are stored on the phone and have legal validity for presentation to the police and medical facilities.
PEC in Italy 2026: certified electronic mail
What is PEC, who is required to have it, and why pay for mail when there’s Gmail?
PEC (Posta Elettronica Certificata) is certified email that has the legal value of a registered letter with return receipt (raccomandata con ricevuta di ritorno). When you send a PEC message — the recipient can’t claim “I didn’t receive it”. The fact of sending and delivery is recorded and is legally valid in court.
Who must have PEC
Mandatory
- All legal entities (SRL, SPA)
- Sole proprietors (P.IVA - ditta individuale)
- Self-employed professionals with orders (avvocati, commercialisti, ingegneri)
- All entities registered in the Registro Imprese
Not mandatory, but useful
- Employees
- Students (for correspondence with universities)
- Anyone who wants legally valid correspondence with public bodies
- For sending formal complaints and claims
PEC providers and cost
| Provider | Cost/year | Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba PEC | ~5 EUR | 1 GB | Cheapest, popular choice |
| Poste Italiane (PostaCertificat@) | ~5.50 EUR | 200 MB - 1 GB | Convenient for Poste customers |
| Legalmail (Infocert) | ~25 EUR | 5 GB | More storage, for businesses |
| Register.it | ~6 EUR | 1 GB | Easy setup |
| PEC.it | ~8 EUR | 2 GB | Mid-range option |
For personal use the cheapest plan is enough. Aruba PEC for 5 EUR/year is the optimal choice for most immigrants.
Practice of using PEC
"PEC is required for those with a P.IVA — it’s mandatory. For employees it’s not required, but I got one for safety for 5 euros a year at Aruba. It came in handy a couple of times — I sent a complaint to my internet provider via PEC and they resolved it in 2 days. Regular emails they ignored for a month."
From a community discussion, 2025
PEC can be used to communicate with any public body
All public institutions in Italy must have PEC and respond to PEC messages. This is sometimes faster than going in person: write to the comune via PEC — they must reply. And you have legal proof of the request.
Step-by-step guide: digital identification for an immigrant in Italy 2026
In what order should you arrange digital documents after moving to Italy?
Here is the optimal sequence of actions for an immigrant who has just arrived in Italy and wants access to all digital services:
Obtain your permesso di soggiorno (residence permit)
This is the foundation of everything. Without legal status you cannot obtain any document. Submit documents at the questura or via Poste Italiane depending on the visa type.
Register your residenza at the comune
Go to the Ufficio Anagrafe of your comune with your rental contract, permesso (or ricevuta), passport. Submit the application for registration. A vigile (neighbourhood officer) will come to check the address.
Get the CIE at the comune
After registering residenza, book an appointment to get the CIE. Cost ~17 EUR. The card will be mailed to your home in 7–15 days.
Get SPID
Two options: free at Poste Italiane with your passport or online via CIE. If you already have CIE — do it via CIE, it takes 15 minutes. If not — go to Poste.
Activate CieID on your phone
When you receive the CIE — download CieID, place the card to the phone (NFC), enter the PIN. Now you have two ways to log into public sites.
Download IO and log into INPS and the tax office
Install the IO app, log in via SPID or CIE. Visit inps.it — check your contributions. Visit agenziaentrate.gov.it — check your tax drawer.
Get a PEC (if you have a P.IVA)
PEC is mandatory for freelancers and business owners. For employees it’s optional. Aruba PEC for 5 EUR/year is the simplest option.
Community experience
"You can get the Codice not only by post, but also by going to ASL or INPS yourself if you say you’re rarely at home. It’s faster — no need to wait for the letter."
Tip from a member of the Russian-speaking community
The whole process takes 1–2 months
The longest stages are waiting for residenza and the CIE. But you can get SPID in parallel via Poste Italiane with your passport without waiting for the CIE. That way you get access to public sites faster.
Common problems with SPID and CIE in Italy: solutions 2026
What to do if they don’t give SPID without CIE, CIE without residenza, or the comune delays the registration?
Getting digital identification in Italy often becomes a closed loop of dependencies for immigrants. Here are the most typical problems and how to solve them:
Some providers require an Italian CIE for online identification. Solution: go to Poste Italiane in person — they accept a foreign passport. Or use a provider with webcam identification that accepts a foreign passport (Namirial, Infocert).
The comune issues CIE only to registered residents. Without residenza — no way. Solution: register your residenza first. While waiting — get SPID via Poste with your passport so you’re not left without access.
The vigile doesn’t come to verify the address, the application hangs for weeks. Solution: after 45 days of silence the principle of "silenzio-assenso" applies — the registration is considered approved. You can write a PEC (or regular letter) to the comune reminding them and citing the law.
Old or budget smartphones may lack NFC or support for the required chip. Solution: use SPID instead of CieID. Or borrow a friend’s phone with NFC for a one-time activation — after activation CieID may only require the code for regular access.
Some operators may have trouble with foreign document formats during webcam identification. Solution: if refused — try another provider. Poste Italiane in person is the most reliable option; they accept foreign passports.
PIN and PUK arrive in the envelope with the CIE. If lost — you can recover it via the comune (you must come in person with documents). If you’ve blocked the card by entering the wrong PIN 3 times — you need the PUK to unblock it.
Closed loop: permesso — residenza — CIE — SPID
Each document depends on the previous one. The only way to break the loop is to get SPID via Poste Italiane with your foreign passport without waiting for the CIE. This gives access to public services while you wait for the other documents.
Community lifehack
"My advice to newcomers — don’t wait until all documents are ready. Go to Poste to get SPID with your passport right away. It’s free and takes half an hour. Then catch up with the CIE when the residenza is issued. The main thing is to get access to INPS and the tax office as soon as possible."
Tip from an experienced community member, 2026
Conclusions: digital identification in Italy for an immigrant
In 2026 you can’t access INPS, the tax office, book a doctor, or get ISEE without digital identification. It’s the first thing to arrange after obtaining residenza.
CIE provides level 3 authentication and works via phone NFC. SPID is handy when you don’t have the card on hand. Together they cover all situations and serve as backups for each other.
Don’t wait for the CIE. Go to Poste Italiane with your passport and codice fiscale — get SPID for free in 30 minutes. You need access to public services from day one.
The IO app is the single window for all state notifications. Fines, benefits, reminders — all in one place. PagoPA allows paying public fees directly from your phone.
If you have a Partita IVA — PEC is required by law. For employees — it’s worth getting for 5 EUR/year. The legal validity of correspondence can be useful in disputes.
Follow this sequence, but SPID can be done in parallel with CIE via Poste. The whole process from arrival to full digital access takes 1–2 months.
Detailed guide on the topic
Related articles on our forum
Codice Fiscale 2026: how to get it - the first document, required for SPID and CIE
Permesso di soggiorno 2026: questura by cities - without permesso there is no residenza and CIE
INPS and pensions 2026 - personal INPS account, which requires SPID
ISEE and benefits 2026 - you can only apply for ISEE via SPID/CIE
Healthcare SSN 2026 - booking a doctor via regional portals
Impatriati 2026: taxes for expats - tax return via Agenzia delle Entrate
Permesso di soggiorno: complete guide 2026 - detailed instructions on residence permits