As an expat in Italy you’ll have to complete a long checklist of beuracratic items. Having been in the position myself, I know how daunting it can seem. This is why I have started to compile the Ultimate Checklist for Expats in Italy. Keep reading to find out how to get your SPID in Italy.
So first, what is SPID? It’s relatively new as Italy starts to make more strides in transitioning to more digital platforms (which I think is a good thing!). SPID is Italy’s Public Digital Identity System and allows you to access a variety of government websites and platforms. It is essentially a secure fast-track to login to your account for the various services you may need.
In Milan, I found getting a SPID relatively easy. Let’s walk through the steps on how to get your SPID in Italy.
Documents Required
Before even making an appointment, it’s important to ensure you even have the correct documents – otherwise you may need to backtrack and get the required ones first. You will need:
- Identification Card (like your Carta d’Identità)
- Tax Number (Codice Fiscale)
- A valid email address
- A mobile phone number (ideally Italian or it could make the process more complicated)
- Possible: Residency Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) – This may or may not be a requirement depending on the provider
If you are missing any of the documents above, I have links to additional step-by-step expat guides to assist you.
Choose your SPID Provider
There are currently multiple options of approved providers where you can activate your SPID. You can find a list of the approved poviders here.
I personally think the easiest option is to go in person and see someone face-to-face if you don’t feel fully confident with your Italian. For instance, I had no choice but to go in-person because setting it up through my Carta d’Identita Elettronica was not working.
If you live in Milan, you can make an in-person appointment here through their online portal. Click “Prenota il tuo appuntamento” and select the option to setup your SPID.
If you are outside of Milan, but still prefer to make an in-person appointment, find your nearest, approved Comune here.
Complete the Set Up
Whether you go in person, complete the setup through a video call, or have the supporting documents to do it on your own, a person or chat will help you through the registration process.
Don’t worry if you come across some hiccups. For instance, I couldn’t get my SPID during my first appointment because I didn’t have my physical Codice Fiscale card, I had a printed copy that had originally been emailed to me when I first arrived. I had never even been asked for a physical card (nor knew one existed), so I needed to wait for the physical card to arrive before returning for another appointment. The second went smoothly!
During the appointment, you’ll receive a few codes sent to you via SMS and through email to help facilitate the set up. Again, the operator will be walking you through all of the steps. By the end of the appointment, you’ll receive your SPID login.
After you have everything setup, on your own you can continue to complete which level of security level you prefer. If you have any concerns, I recommend referencing the official SPID site.
And now you’re done! As you can see, it is a relatively easy process to get your SPID in Italy. Now you will be able to quickly and easily login moving forward. A nice little step forward for your tasks to do as an expat in Italy.
Looking for more Italy expat guides? You may want to read these posts: