What is SPID and Why You Need It?
The SPID (Public Digital Identity System) is the authentication system that allows access to the online services of the Italian Public Administration. For foreign citizens in Italy it is fundamental For:
- Submit the application for Italian citizenship on the ALI Portal
- Fill out the application for the Decreto Flussi
- Access the Electronic Health Record
- Consult the INPS pay slip and the contribution position
- Access the services of the Revenue Agency
- Use the portal INPS for bonuses and benefits
Requirements for Obtaining SPID as a Foreigner
- A valid Italian identification document: electronic identity card (CIE), Italian passport, or Italian driving license
- Italian tax code (or health card)
- A personal email address
- Mobile number: Some SPID providers also accept foreign numbers (for example PosteID and Sielte), others require an Italian SIM (for example Namirial)
Attention: No SPID provider accepts a residence permit, and none accept the passport issued by your country of origin. The official SPID website also confirms this, indicating the solution: with a residence permit, you can obtain an identity card, and with the identity card, you can apply for SPID.
How to Get an Identity Card as a Foreigner
If you're a resident of Italy, apply for an electronic identity card (CIE) from your municipality of residence. To obtain it, you'll need your residence permit and passport. For foreign citizens, the card serves as identification in Italy, but not for travel abroad. With the CIE, you can also access many public services without SPID: simply choose the "Entra con CIE" option.
PosteID and InfoCert no longer accept the old paper identity card for SPID (since August 3, 2026).
How to Request SPID: Procedure
Option 1: Online
- Choose a SPID provider (Poste Italiane, Aruba, Namirial, Sielte, etc.)
- Register on the provider's website with your details
- Upload your identity card (or other Italian document) and tax code
- Complete the identity verification: with the CIE and its PIN from the provider's app (often free), or via video call or webcam (for a fee)
- Receive your SPID credentials via email
Option 2: In Person at the Post Office
- Go to posteid.poste.it and start the request
- Fill in your personal information online
- Go to a post office with your identity card (or Italian passport) and your health insurance card. In-person identification costs 12 euros.
- Get your credentials
SPID Provider for Foreigners: Which One to Choose
All providers require an Italian ID: the costs and the method of identification vary. Here are the main ones (prices as of October 1, 2026, subject to change):
Our advice: If you don't yet have an electronic identity card, the first step is to request one from your municipality. If you have one with a PIN, choose a provider that doesn't charge for activation with the CIE (PosteID from the app, Namirial, Sielte).
SPID Levels: Which One Do You Need?
SPID has 3 levels of security. For most immigration services, you only need the Level 2:
- Level 1: Login with username and password. This is sufficient for general information.
- Level 2: Login with username, password, and OTP (code via SMS or app). Required for the ALI (citizenship) portal, INPS (National Institute of Social Security), Revenue Agency, and Decreto Flussi
- Level 3: Access with an additional physical device (smart card). Required only for digital signatures and high-security services.
All providers issue Level 2 SPID, which is the one required for immigration procedures.
SPID with Permit Renewal Receipt
To obtain SPID, a residence permit, whether valid or in renewal, doesn't count: providers require an identity card or another Italian document.
A residence permit is required to obtain an identity card. If your residence permit has expired and you have the postal receipt for renewal, the municipality can still issue or renew your identity card, as clarified by the Ministry of the Interior. Ask your municipality which documents you need to bring.
How long does it take
The times to obtain SPID vary:
- PosteID at the post office: immediate activation after recognition (1-2 hours total)
- Webcam recognition: 1-3 business days from registration
- Recognition via video operator: 1-5 days (depends on appointment availability)
Common Problems and Solutions
- Tax code not recognized: Verify that it has been correctly registered with the Revenue Agency. If you have a temporary tax code, it may not work—you need the permanent one (16 alphanumeric characters).
- Document not accepted: No provider accepts a residence permit or passport issued by your country of origin. An Italian document is required: request an electronic identity card from your local municipality.
- Expired residence permit: It doesn't count for SPID, but it's needed to obtain an identity card. With the renewal receipt, the Municipality can issue an identity card even if the residence permit has expired.
- Paper identity card: PosteID and InfoCert no longer accept paper ID cards to apply for SPID (effective August 3, 2026). Request an electronic ID card from your local municipality.
- Name with special characters: If your name contains non-Latin characters (Arabic, Cyrillic), make sure that the transcription matches exactly that of the tax code
- "Data mismatch" error: Verify that your name, surname, and date of birth are identical on your tax code and ID card. Even a different letter will cause rejection.
Warning: The most common mistakes cost months
Even a single incorrectly filled-in field, a missing document or a missed deadline can make reject your application — with months of delay and additional costs to resubmit it.
With ImmigraFacile this doesn't happen:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you need an identification document issued by an Italian authority: usually the electronic identity card (CIE), which the municipality also issues to foreign residents. A residence permit is not accepted, nor is a passport issued by your country of origin. You also need your tax code, email address, and mobile number.
SPID cannot be obtained with a residence permit alone: no SPID provider accepts it. However, the permit is required to apply for an electronic identity card from the municipality of residence, presenting your permit and passport. With your identity card, you can then apply for SPID from any provider.
It depends on the provider and the authentication method. Some providers activate it for free with the electronic ID card and its PIN, such as PosteID from the app, Namirial, and Sielte. In person at the post office PosteID costs €12, plus €6 per year from the second year onwards. Webcam authentication is paid for with almost all providers, starting at around €15 plus VAT. Prices as of October 1, 2026.
The document matters more than the provider: all providers require an Italian document, usually an electronic identity card. If you have a CIE with a PIN, choose a provider that doesn't charge for activation with the CIE (PosteID from the app, Namirial, Sielte). If you prefer an in-person operator, you can get PosteID at the post office (€12).
To obtain SPID, a residence permit, whether valid or in the process of being renewed, doesn't count: you need an identity card. However, if your residence permit has expired and you have the renewal receipt, the Municipality can still issue or renew your identity card, which you can then use to apply for SPID.