Italy's Digital Shift: Offline Wallets and Civil Records Move Online

Published Date : 7/9/2025 

Italy is revolutionizing its civil status systems with a national digital wallet and fully digitized records, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for citizens. The country’s shift from paper-based to digital processes includes offline document access, real-time synchronization, and a growing digital identity network. This initiative, driven by the Department for Digital Transformation, aims to streamline bureaucratic tasks and improve public services across Italy. 

Italy is undergoing a major digital transformation, particularly in its civil status management and digital identity systems. The National Archive of Civil Status (ANSC) has launched a unified platform that consolidates records from over 700 municipalities, replacing traditional paper-based methods. This move marks a significant step toward modernizing public administration, offering faster, more secure access to critical documents like births, marriages, and citizenship applications. The system, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, ensures data consistency and reduces errors by integrating with the National Registry of the Resident Population (ANPR). n n nThe shift to digital records has streamlined operations for both citizens and local governments. Previously, retrieving civil status documents required visiting physical archives, a process that was slow and prone to mistakes. Now, users can access electronic signatures and request certificates online, cutting down processing times and eliminating the need for in-person visits. Municipal staff also benefit, as automated workflows free them from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value services. The government has set a deadline of 18 months for all municipalities to join the ANSC platform, ensuring full digitization of civil records across the country. n n nA key innovation in Italy’s digital push is the offline access feature of the national digital wallet within the IO app. This update, part of the IT-Wallet System, allows citizens to retrieve essential documents like driver’s licenses and health insurance cards even without an internet connection. The app automatically switches to a limited mode when offline, enabling users to unlock documents via biometric authentication or a PIN. While offline, users receive reminders that document validity depends on the last online verification. Once connectivity is restored, the app updates all records in the background, ensuring accuracy and convenience. n n nSince its launch in December 2024, the IO app’s digital wallet has seen massive adoption, with over 5.3 million active users and nearly 9 million digital documents stored. Health insurance cards and driving licenses dominate the records, with over 4.6 million and 4.2 million entries, respectively. The system’s success highlights Italy’s commitment to digital innovation, as it continues to expand its public digital identity network. This includes the Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale (SPID) and the biometric Carta di Identità Elettronica (CIE), which provide secure, state-managed credentials to prevent fraud and duplication. n n nItaly’s digital identity initiatives are accelerating, with over 90 million digital IDs issued as of April 2025. The government has also expanded the use of CIEs, doubling the number of public bodies that accept them to 11,000. Undersecretary Alessio Butti emphasized that these efforts align with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), positioning Italy as a leader in digital transformation within the EU. However, challenges remain, including delays in telecom infrastructure and the need for tighter coordination with network operators to secure EU funding and maintain competitiveness. n n nThe integration of digital wallets and civil records reflects a broader trend toward citizen-centric governance. By reducing bureaucracy and improving access to services, Italy aims to create a more efficient and transparent public administration. As the country continues to refine its digital tools, the focus remains on balancing innovation with security, ensuring that all citizens benefit from the transition to a fully digitized society. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the ANSC, and how does it benefit Italians?

A: The ANSC (National Archive of Civil Status) is a digital platform that consolidates civil records like births, marriages, and citizenship applications. It benefits Italians by streamlining access to documents, reducing errors, and enabling faster, secure services through integration with the National Registry of the Resident Population.

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

A: The IO app’s offline wallet allows users to access digital documents like driver’s licenses and health insurance cards without an internet connection. It uses biometric authentication or a PIN to unlock files, with updates resuming automatically once connectivity is restored.

Q: What role does SPID play in Italy’s digital identity system?

A: SPID (Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale) is Italy’s public digital identity framework, allowing citizens to access online services securely. It complements the CIE (biometric ID card) and ensures fraud prevention by linking physical and digital identities.

Q: Why is Italy’s digital wallet considered a first in the EU?

A: Italy’s IT-Wallet System is unique because it offers offline access to critical documents, making it the first true digital wallet in the EU. This innovation enhances convenience and reliability, especially in areas with poor connectivity.

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

A: Italy faces delays in telecom infrastructure and fragmentation among network operators. These issues risk hindering the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) objectives, prompting calls for tighter coordination and technological neutrality to secure EU funding. 

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