Obtaining a digital identity in Italy without Italian residency
Updated: 15 hours ago
If you own property in Italy, many administrative procedures can—or must—now be completed online, from accessing the tax authority’s services to submitting applications to local authorities. Many important processes, such as applying for a rental registration code (CIN/CIR), are no longer possible without a digital identity. A digital identity is essentially an online ID that allows you to log in securely to government services through your web browser.
The challenge: the most widely used digital identities, CIE and SPID, cannot be applied for without a main residence in Italy. Available alternatives include CNS and a digital signature, which we explain in more detail below. In practice, most major authorities and service providers allow you to log in using any of these identity systems. Cases where only CIE or SPID is accepted are relatively rare.
1. Digital identities at a glance
Digital identity | Description | Available without a main residence in Italy |
CIE (Carta d’Identità Elettronica) | Italian identity card with a chip and online identification function | Not available |
SPID (Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale) | Personal online account with a government-approved provider | Not available |
CNS (Carta Nazionale dei Servizi) | Personal identity certificate stored on a card or USB device | Available |
Digital signature | Personal signing certificate stored on a card or USB device | Available |
2. CNS and digital signatures: two different functions
CNS and digital signatures are often confused, but they serve different purposes:
CNS = logging in
CNS allows you to prove your identity when accessing an Italian government portal. It acts as a digital key to the secure area of a tax authority or municipal website, where you can complete and submit the relevant forms.
Digital signature = signing documents
A digital signature allows you to sign applications, declarations and contracts electronically with legally binding effect. It also makes it possible to establish whether a file has been modified after signing.
Products offered by Italian Chambers of Commerce can combine both functions in one device. The DigitalDNAKey contains one certificate for logging in via CNS and another for digital signatures. It is supplied on a USB device or a card. The card requires a dedicated reader, so the USB option is recommended.
3. Applying through the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce
As mentioned above, CNS and digital signatures can be obtained through regional Chambers of Commerce. For German-speaking property owners, the Bolzano Chamber of Commerce is a useful point of contact because it offers the application process in German. You can also apply there if your property is outside its catchment area.
You will usually need:
A passport
An Italian tax identification number (Codice Fiscale)
An Italian address to which the USB device containing the DigitalDNAKey and its CNS and digital signature certificates can be sent
A smartphone or computer for identity verification
After completing the online forms, you will usually verify your identity during a video call or an in-person appointment with a Chamber of Commerce representative. The USB device will then be sent to you. The USB device comes with dedicated software that you need to install on your computer. Together with the certificates stored on the device, it enables CNS access to government portals and legally binding digital signatures. Please get in touch if you would like our support with the application.
Need to understand the cadastral figures in your property documents? Our guide to calculating IMU property tax explains how cadastral income feeds into the calculation.
