The Electronic Identity Card (CIE) is the access key, guaranteed by the State and issued by the Ministry of the Interior, which allows the citizen to authenticate securely to online services of institutions and public administrations that allow its use.
Thanks to the CIE, citizens no longer have to use different credentials for each Administration, but have a single physical and digital identification tool to access online services, both public and private, in Italy and Europe.
In fact, the realization of the Italian eIDAS node completes the European digital citizenship project, which allows CIE holders to access online services in other EU countries (e.g. university, banking or public administration services).
The Electronic Identity Card serves as a digital authentication tool through a computer, smartphone or both.
It is necessary to have the 8 digits of the PIN: the first part is delivered at the request of the card, the second part at the delivery of the document (click here in case of loss).
The authentication methods are listed below:
- desktop: access to the service is via computer with a contactless smart card reader for CIE reading. To access the service it is necessary to install the CIE software;
- mobile: the user accesses the service through a smartphone equipped with an NFC system and the “CieID” app;
- desktop with smartphone: the access to the service is via computer, using a smartphone equipped with an NFC system for reading the CIE, and the “CieID” app.
A user guide to CIE authentication for the three modalities is available at Tutorial page.
The CIE Software is available at “Middleware and user guide” page.
For a list of service providers enabled to authenticate with CIE click here.