Italy's Digital Shift: Offline Wallets and Civil Record Overhaul

Published Date : 7/9/2025 

Italy is leading Europe in digital innovation with its offline digital wallet and fully digitized civil records. The National Archive of Civil Status (ANSC) now centralizes over 700 municipalities, while the IO app allows citizens to access critical documents without internet. This shift marks a major step toward a seamless, secure, and citizen-centric public administration. 

Italy is undergoing a major transformation in its civil records system, moving from paper-based archives to a fully digital framework. The National Archive of Civil Status (ANSC) has become a central hub for birth, marriage, and citizenship records, streamlining processes across 700 municipalities. This shift, driven by the Department for Digital Transformation and the Ministry of the Interior, aims to provide faster, more secure access to vital documents for all citizens. n n nFor decades, civil records were stored in physical archives, making retrieval slow and prone to errors. The ANSC platform has changed this by creating a single, national repository that syncs with the National Registry of the Resident Population (ANPR). This integration ensures data consistency, reducing administrative burdens and allowing local governments to focus on higher-value services. The system also enables electronic signatures and online certificate requests, cutting down on bureaucratic hurdles. n n nThe Italian government has set a timeline for full digitization, with all municipalities required to join the ANSC by 2025. This rapid adoption, with over 700 administrations already onboard, reflects the country’s commitment to a unified, digital-first approach. The success of ANSC has also paved the way for the IO app’s offline digital wallet feature, a breakthrough in accessibility for citizens in remote or low-connectivity areas. n n nThe IO app, Italy’s national digital services platform, now offers offline access to critical documents like driver’s licenses and health insurance cards. Users can unlock these files via biometric authentication or a PIN, even without an internet connection. This feature, launched in December 2024, has already attracted over 5.3 million active users, with nearly 9 million digital documents stored. The app’s offline mode ensures that citizens can access essential credentials during network outages, maintaining continuity in public services. n n nThe digital identity ecosystem in Italy is expanding rapidly. The country has issued nearly 90 million digital identities, including 50 million CIEs (Carta di Identità Elettronica) and 40 million SPIDs (Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale). These IDs, managed by the Department for Digital Transformation and PagoPA, link physical and digital identities, reducing fraud risks. The government has also doubled the number of public bodies accepting CIEs, now reaching 11,000 institutions. n n nItaly’s digital wallet initiative, known as It Wallet, is distinct from the EU’s EUDI Wallet program. While the latter focuses on cross-border interoperability, It Wallet prioritizes local access, integrating with SPID for seamless authentication. This dual approach allows Italy to maintain control over its digital infrastructure while aligning with European standards. However, challenges remain, including network fragmentation and delays in telecom infrastructure, which could impact the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) goals. n n nThe government emphasizes the importance of technological neutrality and coordination among telecom operators to secure EU funding. Undersecretary Alessio Butti has called for tighter collaboration to ensure the PNRR’s success, highlighting Italy’s position as a digital leader in Europe. With 2 years of progress ahead of schedule, the country’s digitalization efforts are setting a benchmark for other nations. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the National Archive of Civil Status (ANSC) in Italy?

A: The ANSC is a centralized digital platform that consolidates civil records like births, marriages, and citizenship applications. It streamlines processes by syncing with the National Registry of the Resident Population (ANPR), ensuring data accuracy and reducing administrative tasks for municipalities.

Q: How does the IO app’s offline digital wallet work?

A: The IO app allows users to access digital documents without an internet connection. When offline, the app switches to a limited mode, enabling biometric or PIN-based access to documents like driver’s licenses or health insurance cards. Connectivity resumes automatically to update records.

Q: What are the benefits of Italy’s digital identity system?

A: Italy’s digital identity system, including CIEs and SPIDs, enhances security by linking physical and digital identities. It reduces fraud, streamlines public services, and allows citizens to access over 11,000 institutions using a single, government-managed ID.

Q: What challenges does Italy face in its digitalization efforts?

A: Italy’s digitalization faces challenges like network fragmentation and telecom infrastructure delays. These issues could hinder the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) goals, prompting calls for better coordination among operators and a focus on technological neutrality.

Q: How does It Wallet differ from the EUDI Wallet program?

A: It Wallet is a national initiative focused on local access, integrating with SPID for authentication. In contrast, the EUDI Wallet program aims for cross-border interoperability. Italy’s approach prioritizes domestic control while aligning with EU standards for future expansion. 

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