This full guide will help you to find out how to get SPID as an expat in Italy.
Congratulations! You moved to Italy and you are happy to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Today I will make you even happier with good news. Italy has finally started its digitalization process! This means Arrivederci to paperwork and Benvenuto to digital public services.
One of the most important innovation of recent years is SPID, the Italian Public Digital Identity System.
Did you already hear about SPID but you don’t know how to obtain it? Don’t worry!
By reading this full guide you will find out:
- What is SPID? And why you should get it
- What do you need to get SPID as an expat in Italy?
- Which identity provider to choose?
Moreover, at the end of this guide you will find the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) on how to get SPID as a foreigner.
Let’s start!
What is SPID? And why you should get it
SPID stands for Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale. It is your public digital identity with which you can access the online public and private services adherents. Take a look at this page to know where you can use SPID.
In other words, SPID is a simple and safe way to enjoy several services in Italy.
SPID is simple because you can access health and school services, public wi-fi networks and much more wherever you are and from any device. You have just to log in on the public website or app by clicking the “Enter with SPID” button.
SPID is safe because your public identity and personal data are protected by your secret credentials (username and password). Moreover, SPID provides higher security levels requiring OTP (One-Time Password) or smart cards for accessing particular services. Take a look at the FAQ below to find out the three security levels offered by SPID.
What do you need to get SPID as an expat in Italy?
All Italian citizens over 18 years old can activate SPID by contacting on authorized digital identity provider.
But how to get SPID as a foreign citizen?
If you are an of age (18+) expat living in Italy, you will need:
- an Italian ID card (or any other valid identity document). Here’s how to get the Italian Carta di identità?
- your Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) or the Italian Tax Code Card (Codice Fiscale). Take a look at my legal guides for obtaining the Tessera Sanitaria or the Italian Codice Fiscale.
- a personal email address;
- the Italian or foreign mobile phone number you normally use (even if you are not the holder of the contract). Find out here how to get an Italian mobile phone number.
Note that during the SPID activation you have to take a picture or a scan of your documents and attach them to the application form.
Which SPID identity provider to choose?
To obtain your SPID as a foreign citizen in Italy you have to choose one of the authorized identity providers. They are: Aruba, Inforcert, Intesa, Namirial, Poste, Register, Sielte, Tim and Lepida.
I personally use Infocert but feel free to choose the provider that best suits your needs.
SPID Identity providers offer different types of activation for free or paying. Take a look at the following picture for an overview of the authorized service providers and choose the best one for you.
In short, the SPID registration consists of three steps
- enter your personal data by filling the registration form;
- create your SPID credentials (email, username and password);
- validate the account by choosing between the different recognition modes offered by the provider.
Each identity provider must identify you before validating your SPID account. This is because SPID is strictly personal and your account shall match with your identity.
The most common identification methods used by the Italian identity providers are:
- in person at the offices of the digital identity providers
- via webcam
- by sending an audio-video selfie together with the payment of a symbolic bank transfer
- by means of an Italian Electronic Identity Card (CIE)
As you can see in the picture above, some identification options are for free instead of others for a fee:
- usually remote recognition methods are paid;
- on the contrary, in-person recognition is for free.
In any case, the use of SPID is totally free! This means that once activated SPID no cost or fee will be charged to you.
FAQ on how to obtain SPID as a foreign citizen in Italy
SPID is your public digital identity for accessing to online public services in Italy.
Yes. Foreigners (18+) living in Italy can obtain SPID.
To obtain SPID foreigners need an Italian ID document and a health or tax code card as well as an e-mail and a mobile phone.
The providers are Aruba, Infocert, Intesa, Namirial, Poste, Register, Sielte, Tim or Lepida.
Find them on Google.
Yes. SPID provides three security levels: credentials; OTP; physical devices like smart cards.
Yes. The use of SPID is for free also for expats. However, the provider could request you a fee for activating your account.
Yes. The legal representative of your business is entitled to apply for SPID.
As a foreinger, you just need to choose the service provider, create an account and verify your identity.
SPID is strictly personal therefore you need to validate your identity for activating it. For example, recognition method are: in person, via webcam or by CIE.
Your provider will help you.
Yes. Your provider will help you.
Yes. You can activate more than one SPID accounts by contacting different providers.