There are around 41 million people in Italy who have activated their SPID — the Public Digital Identity System that allows users to access government platforms and public services online.
SPID has become essential for completing most official procedures required by the Italian state. Yet in 2025, it came close to being discontinued altogether.
Why SPID Was at Risk of Disappearing
For several months, rumors circulated about the Italian government’s plan to phase out SPID in favor of the electronic ID card, known as CIE (Carta d’Identità Elettronica). While CIE is already widespread, it currently offers fewer digital features and is less commonly used for online public services.
Both tools are key to managing many everyday administrative tasks. However, SPID — despite its sometimes tricky setup — has become widely used across Italy, including by foreign residents who hold a valid passport. CIE, on the other hand, has not yet reached the same level of adoption, especially among older citizens, many of whom have yet to switch to the digital version of their ID card.
What’s Next for SPID: Will Digital Identity Become a Paid Service?
From paying taxes and fines, to accessing healthcare services, booking medical appointments, registering a digital address, or using certified email (PEC), SPID is now a daily necessity for millions of people across Italy. Although using SPID is not legally mandatory, it has become practically indispensable. And its importance is set to grow even further. After months of uncertainty and political back-and-forth, the Italian government has renewed its partnership with SPID providers, such as Poste Italiane, Aruba, Lepida, and InfoCert.
The new agreement extends cooperation between Assocertificatori (the consortium of SPID providers) and AgID, the Agency for Digital Italy, for another five years — until 2030. However, Assocertificatori has indicated that some providers might independently decide to introduce a fee-based model, potentially turning SPID into a paid service. If that happens, millions of Italians — already accustomed to free access — could be forced to subscribe annually to maintain their digital identity credentials.
