It is Italy's electronic identity card, a chip-based document that works as both a physical ID and a digital identity for secure online authentication.

Is the CIE a travel document?

Yes. It is a valid identity and travel document within the EU and Schengen area and follows ICAO standards.

🇮🇹 Italy · National ID card

CIE

Carta di Identita Elettronica (Electronic Identity Card)

The CIE is Italy's chip-based electronic identity card that serves as both a physical ID and a digital identity for online authentication. The current CIE 3.0 has been progressively replacing the paper identity card since 2016.

What it does

Online authenticationIdentity verification / KYCTravel / border controlCross-border interoperabilityBiometric authentication

Country:🇮🇹 Italy

Type:National ID card

Status:Live

Launched:2016

Issuer:Ministry of the Interior; produced by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato

Who can get it:Italian citizens and resident foreigners (residence card variant)

Format

Smart cardMobile app

Identity attributes

Legal nameDate of birthFiscal codePhotoFingerprints (stored)

Authentication methods

PKI smart cardPINMobile appBiometric

Common use cases

Government servicesTravelBanking / KYCHealthcare

Standards

eIDAS LoA HighICAO 9303 (travel document)

Coverage

Issued nationwide as the standard replacement for the paper ID card

Interoperability

eIDAS notified at assurance level High; also a valid EU/Schengen travel document

Privacy and trust

As a biometric travel document the card stores fingerprints on the chip, while online use relies on the holder's PIN and an NFC reader or app.

Identity verification providers

Independent identity verification vendors that support documents like this for KYC and onboarding. Exact document coverage varies by provider and region, so confirm support before relying on it.

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Official source

https://www.cartaidentita.interno.gov.it/en/

CIE: frequently asked questions

What is the CIE?: It is Italy's electronic identity card, a chip-based document that works as both a physical ID and a digital identity for secure online authentication.
Is the CIE a travel document?: Yes. It is a valid identity and travel document within the EU and Schengen area and follows ICAO standards.

Educational reference, not official guidance. Confirm current details with the issuing authority. all Italy schemes · identity verification vendors