Italy's Digital Shift: Paperless Offline Wallets and Civil Records

Published Date : 7/9/2025 

Italy is transforming its civil records and digital identity systems, introducing offline access to digital wallets and digitizing over 700 municipalities. The National Archive of Civil Status (ANSC) streamlines processes, while the IO app's offline features enhance accessibility for citizens. Key stats include 9 million digital documents and 90 million digital identities issued. 

Italy is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with its civil records and identity systems evolving rapidly. The National Archive of Civil Status (ANSC) is central to this shift, consolidating paper-based records into a national digital platform. This move aims to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and provide faster access to critical documents for citizens. Over 700 municipalities have already adopted the system, signaling a strong push toward a unified digital infrastructure. n n nThe transition from paper to digital has been driven by the Department for Digital Transformation in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior. Previously, civil records such as births, marriages, and citizenship applications were stored in physical archives, making retrieval slow and prone to mistakes. The ANSC system addresses these issues by offering a centralized, interoperable platform. Synchronization with the National Registry of the Resident Population (ANPR) ensures data accuracy, aligning civil records with officially registered population data. This integration streamlines workflows, allowing municipal staff to focus on higher-value services rather than repetitive administrative tasks. n n nFor individuals, the benefits are clear. Civil status documents can now be signed electronically using a digital identity, and certificates are increasingly accessible online. This eliminates the need for in-person visits to town halls, reducing bureaucracy and improving convenience. The Italian government has set a deadline for all municipalities to join the ANSC system within 18 months, ensuring full digitization of civil records across the country. The rapid adoption by over 700 administrations highlights growing confidence in this citizen-centric approach. n n nA major milestone in Italy's digitalization is the offline access feature introduced in the IO app. This national digital wallet allows users to access critical documents like driving licenses and health insurance cards without an internet connection. When offline, the app switches to a limited mode, enabling biometric or PIN-based authentication to unlock stored documents. A banner alerts users to the offline status, reminding them that document validity relies on the last online verification. Once connectivity is restored, the app automatically updates all records, ensuring consistency. n n nSince its launch in December 2024, the IO app's wallet feature has attracted over 5.3 million active users, with nearly 9 million digital documents issued. Health insurance cards dominate with 4.6 million records, followed by 4.2 million driving licenses. The surge in digital Disability Cards, surpassing 100,000, underscores the system's growing adoption. Developed by the Department for Digital Transformation, PagoPA, and the Italian State Printing Works and Mint (IPZS), the update ensures essential credentials remain accessible even in areas with poor connectivity. n n nItaly has issued nearly 90 million digital identities as of April 2024, including 50 million CIEs (Carta di Identità Elettronica) and 40 million SPID (Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale). This achievement places the country two years ahead of its PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) targets. The government has also expanded the CIE program, increasing app downloads to 7.3 million and doubling the number of public bodies accepting CIE for access. Undersecretary Alessio Butti emphasized that CIEs link physical and digital identities, reducing fraud linked to duplicate SPIDs. n n nItaly's digital identity ecosystem includes the SPID system and the CIE, with the It Wallet introduced in 2023 as a separate but complementary tool. While the EUDI Wallet program is still in development, Italy's focus on a state-managed system highlights its commitment to security and user control. However, challenges remain, including telecom network delays and fragmentation. Butti warned that these issues could hinder PNRR goals, urging tighter coordination with network operators to secure EU funding and maintain competitiveness. n n nThe digitalization of civil records and identity systems is reshaping how Italians interact with public services. By prioritizing accessibility, security, and efficiency, Italy is setting a benchmark for digital innovation in Europe. As the ANSC and IO app continue to evolve, the country's progress offers valuable insights into the future of public administration in the digital age. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the Italy digital wallet and how does it work?

A: The Italy digital wallet, part of the IO app, allows citizens to access digital documents offline. Users can unlock documents via biometric authentication or a PIN when no internet is available, with updates restoring once connectivity returns.

Q: How is Italy digitizing civil records?

A: Italy's National Archive of Civil Status (ANSC) consolidates paper records into a digital platform, integrating with the National Registry of the Resident Population (ANPR) for real-time accuracy and streamlined processes.

Q: What are the benefits of the offline digital wallet?

A: Offline access reduces reliance on internet connectivity, ensuring critical documents like health insurance cards and driving licenses remain accessible in remote or low-signal areas.

Q: What are the user stats for the IO app?

A: Since its launch, the IO app's wallet feature has attracted over 5.3 million active users, with nearly 9 million digital documents issued, including 4.6 million health insurance cards and 4.2 million driving licenses.

Q: What challenges does Italy face in digitalization?

A: Italy faces telecom network delays and fragmentation, which could hinder its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) goals. The government is pushing for better coordination with operators to secure EU funding. 

More Related Topics :