Identity card and foreign travel: from 2026, only the digital ID will be valid

Starting on August 3, 2026, the way millions of Italians and foreign residents in Italy (with or without a residence permit, depending on whether they hold EU or non-EU citizenship) present themselves at European borders will change for good. On that date, in fact, the traditional paper identity card will no longer be accepted for travel abroad. The reason lies in the implementation of European Regulation 2019/1157, which imposed higher and uniform security standards across all EU Member States.

This is not a mere technicality: it affects the daily lives of millions of citizens and residents. Even today, tens of millions of paper documents are still in circulation, issued over the years and formally valid well beyond 2026. However, their validity will abruptly end in the summer of 2026, regardless of the expiration date printed on them. This change will force anyone still holding the old format to replace it with the Electronic Identity Card (CIE), or alternatively, to rely on a passport.

The EU’s decision to phase out the paper document has a precise logic: the old models lack the machine-readable zone (MRZ), one of the essential elements for making border controls more secure and reducing the risk of forgery. The CIE, on the other hand, is equipped with advanced technologies and biometric features, ensuring a level of protection that is incomparably higher than before.

The rollout of the CIE began in 2016, gradually extending to all Italian municipalities. Today, the majority of residents already possess it, but a significant portion—estimated at around ten million people—still use the old paper card. For these individuals, time is running out: anyone who does not request the new card in time risks being unable to travel within Europe after the summer of 2026.

Naturally, some issues remain unresolved. One concerns the fate of the paper document as a means of identification within Italy. It is still unclear whether, after the EU deadline, the traditional card can continue to be used domestically, for example, at banks or to access public services. Institutions will need to clarify this with an official measure to avoid confusion and uncertainty.

What is certain is that, for travel purposes, the electronic card will become the only valid alternative, alongside the passport. Its validity depends on the holder’s age, but for adults it lasts ten years, just as the paper version did. The difference lies entirely in the technology: the CIE is already the document that allows access to many digital services of the Public Administration, and from 2026 it will also become the only key to crossing borders.

The transition will not be simple: an extensive communication campaign will be needed to inform those who have not yet switched to the new format. A mere announcement on institutional websites will not suffice; it will be crucial to reach people less accustomed to digital tools, by sending traditional letters or personalized notices. Otherwise, thousands of travelers may find out at the last minute that they cannot use their paper document, leaving them unable to depart.

Therefore, August 3, 2026, is not just any date: it will mark the end of an era—that of the paper identity card, which for decades has accompanied Italians both at home and abroad, as well as EU and non-EU foreigners residing in Italy with a valid residence permit. From that day forward, travel will only be possible with an electronic document. A historic transition, which affects not only border security but also, more broadly, the relationship between citizens, residents, digital identity, and the institutions of the future.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.