Starting June 1, 2026, pursuant to Law 11/2026, Italian citizens registered with the Registry of Italians Resident Abroad (AIRE) will be able to apply for an electronic identity card at any Italian municipality.
Citizens interested in taking advantage of this option can schedule an appointment on the Ministry of the Interior’s online platform or, if their Italian municipality allows it, they can show up without an appointment.
The identity card can be picked up in person at the Italian municipality or can be sent to their foreign address.
Therefore, starting June 1, 2026, Italian citizens residing in the Brussels consular district and registered with AIRE will have three ways to apply for an electronic identity card:
- At any Italian municipality by scheduling an appointment through the Ministry of the Interior’s online booking platform or by visiting directly without an appointment if their municipality allows it;
- At the Consulate General of Italy in Brussels, by scheduling an appointment through the Prenot@mi platform;
- At the Consulate General of Italy in Brussels, without an appointment, subject to availability, at 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and also at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. This option does not guarantee access.
Before scheduling an appointment (or visiting the Consulate General), please remember to ensure your consular file is in order and your residential address is up to date. Any changes of address must be communicated via the FAST IT portal.
Please note that paper identity cards will no longer be valid for travel abroad starting August 3, 2026, regardless of their expiration date.
All other information regarding CIEs is available here.
