by Maximiliano Crocamo
Italian residents aged 70 and older are no longer required to renew their national identity cards, following a government measure that took effect on July 30 as part of a broader effort to simplify administrative procedures.
The change was first announced last November by Public Administration Minister Paolo Zangrillo and forms part of the government’s so-called “simplification decree.” Officials said the measure is intended to reduce bureaucratic requirements for older citizens by eliminating the need to visit municipal offices solely to renew their identity documents.
Italy’s national identity card, officially known as the Carta di Identità Elettronica (CIE), has been issued in electronic format since replacing the paper version in 2017. For adults, the card is generally valid for 10 years, and renewal applications have traditionally been allowed up to 180 days before expiration.
The identity card, issued by the Interior Ministry, serves as the principal form of identification for interactions with public administration offices and a wide range of other official and private transactions.
The new rule exempts residents aged 70 and over from the periodic renewal requirement, marking a shift in long-standing administrative practice aimed at easing obligations for senior citizens.
The identity card has also undergone changes in its role as a travel document. Until July 2025, it could be used for domestic flights within Italy and for travel within Europe’s Schengen area. Under revised regulations introduced last year, passengers on domestic flights are no longer required to present an identity card at boarding, relying instead on their boarding pass, although airlines and authorities may still request identification in certain circumstances.
