From 3 August 2026 the paper identity card will no longer be valid for travel abroad, even if it has not expired. Here’s what changes, who must request the CIE and what risks those who leave without the new document run.
For millions of Italians, summer 2026 could reserve an unpleasant surprise at the time of check-in or document control. In fact, from 3 August 2026, the traditional paper identity card will cease to be valid for traveling abroad, regardless of the expiry date shown on the document.
An innovation that arrives at the height of the holiday season and which risks involving citizens who, despite possessing an apparently still valid identity card, may find themselves unable to leave for a trip abroad.
What changes from August 3, 2026
The date to mark on the calendar is August 3, 2026. From that moment the only valid identity document will be the Electronic Identity Card (CIE), the document equipped with a microchip which in recent years has progressively replaced the old paper format.
The termination of validity concerns paper identity cards used for travel abroad and applies regardless of the expiry date printed on the document. In other words, a paper card that is still valid on the card for several years can no longer be used to travel outside national borders.
The measure affects both Italy and the countries of the European Union, where the identity card is normally a sufficient document for entry without a passport.
Because the paper card will no longer be accepted
The decision is part of the process of modernization and standardization of European identity documents. The Electronic Identity Card in fact guarantees much higher security standards than the old paper document, thanks to the presence of anti-counterfeiting elements and the integrated microchip.
The objective is to reduce the risk of forgery and make identification procedures at borders quicker and safer.
Who risks having problems
The measure concerns a very large audience of citizens. Not only those who travel frequently for work or tourism, but also families, students, pensioners and Italians living abroad who may still have a paper identity card issued many years ago.
Parents who plan trips abroad with minor children must pay particular attention, checking in advance the type of document held by all members of the family.
Those who have booked holidays in Europe should also check their documents immediately. Destinations very popular with Italians such as Spain, Greece, France, Germany or Portugal require a valid document for expatriation and, after August 3, the paper version will no longer be sufficient.
How to request the Electronic Identity Card
Anyone who still has a paper identity card can request the CIE from the municipality of residence.
An important news also concerns Italians registered with AIRE. From 1 June 2026, thanks to Law no. 11 of 19 January 2026, Italian citizens residing abroad can also request an Electronic Identity Card from any Italian municipality.
For those who live outside Italy it is also possible to contact the Italian consular network to find out how and when to issue the document.
What happens if you start with paper paper
The most real risk is being denied boarding or encountering problems at border controls. In fact, airlines and the competent authorities verify the validity of the documents necessary for entry into the destination country.
For this reason it is advisable to check your identity document in advance, avoiding arriving close to departure when the municipal offices could record an increase in requests.
With millions of Italians ready to leave for the summer holidays, the definitive transition to the Electronic Identity Card represents one of the most important bureaucratic innovations of summer 2026. And for those who still have the old paper document, the time has come to replace it.
