SPID: what it is, what it is for and how digital identity works

SPID has now become fundamental for many of the activities we carry out every day.
Knowing what it is, how it works and how to obtain it is essential if you don't have it or want to explore all its features.
In fact, from 2021 it is crucial to equip yourself with a Digital Identity to use many online services.
Here, then, in our guide we will explore the SPID: from request to activation up to how to use it, with all the news for 2024 and the prospects for the future.
SPID: the complete guide What is SPID, the Public Digital Identity System What is SPID for? How SPID works and who can request it Who issues the SPID? How to request the SPID: necessary documents and activation procedure SPID: how much it costs and how long it takes to obtain it The advantages of the SPID Difference between SPID and CIE Differences between SPID and CNS Will SPID retire? What is true What is SPID, the Public Digital Identity System What does SPID mean? SPID literally stands for Public Digital Identity System and is a real personal electronic access key.
It is essentially a system that provides a unique digital identity to users, allowing them to securely access online services provided by public bodies, such as the Public Administration, and private individuals.
SPID was introduced to simplify and make many online platforms useful for the person accessible, such as tax information, declarations and more or less institutional communications.
Thanks to digital identity, in fact, you can do without going to public and private offices in person, with the advantage of carrying out many operations from home, with a simple PC, or with your smartphone.
SPID therefore also eliminates the need to have different credentials for each online service, making online access easier and more protected at the same time.
What is the SPID for? There are many reasons why activating SPID is a convenient choice.
In fact, it is a safe and fast way to access over 5,300 administration, public bodies and agency services.
In particular, with SPID you can access: INPS services: pension, NASPI, registration of domestic workers, request for family allowances and inclusion allowance (ADI); to Inail services: submit reports of accidents at work, request certificates and documents relating to insurance against accidents at work; to the services of local and regional public administrations: request for registry certificates, changes in registry details, payment of local taxes, fines and car tax, changes to a general practitioner; to the Revenue Agency services: tax return, tax payment, pre-compiled form 730, tax consultation, debt situation control, payments; to the MIUR services: to enroll your children in school; to the Telemaco Business Register: useful for businesses, professionals, private individuals but also citizens to consult the financial statements and deeds of all companies; to the Labor Services Portal: information, data and contents relating to the activities and services carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies; to the IO app: a service that makes all digital public services available to organizations and citizens in a single channel; to the services offered by private entities that join the system: in January 2024, 177 private providers started using SPID identification.
How SPID works and who can request it The Public Digital Identity System (SPID) is an online authentication system made available by Identity Providers (IDP), private bodies authorized by the Italian Government.
It therefore involves various actors, citizens, Identity Providers and the bodies that offer the services.
SPID offers three levels of authentication depending on the level of security required for the specific service.
Level 1: Requires only username and password.
Level 2: Requires the use of a second form of authentication, such as a code sent via SMS or on an app.
Level 3: Requires more advanced identification, often via a smart card and password.
Institutions offering online services have integrated the SPID access option into their systems.
Therefore, to log in with SPID, simply connect to the site that offers the service you need and click on the "Enter with SPID" item.
Once this is done, you can choose whether to enter your unique credentials, or proceed via the app.
The app for accessing with SPID is very convenient because it allows you to log in with just a few clicks without even having to remember your credentials and, furthermore, it is safer because it uses the second level of security.
Each provider has its own app that can be downloaded from Play or Apple Store: Poste Italiane: PosteID Aruba: Aruba OTP Infocert: MyInfoCert Sielte: MySielteID Intesa Sanpaolo: Intesa Sanpaolo Mobile Namirial: Namirial OTP Register: SpidItalia OTP Lepida: LepidaID InfoCamere: DigitalDNA IC Etna Hitech : EtnaID TeamSystem: TeamSystem ID Once you have downloaded the app and entered all the data required to access a service with SPID, if you proceed from a PC you must: click on the item "Enter with SPID"; scan the QR code that appears on the right; wait for the notification from the app on your smartphone; accept the authentication request by entering the code set during app registration; return to the service website and click on "I agree".
If you proceed from a smartphone, you must: click on Log in more quickly / Log in with apps, located in different places depending on the provider; accept authentication on the app by entering your PIN; return to the service website and click on "I agree".
To request SPID you must be resident in Italy or be an Italian citizen and be in possession of a valid Italian document.
Who issues the SPID? The SPID is issued by the Identity Providers.
The accredited bodies are listed on the website of the Agency for Digital Italy (AGID).
The accredited bodies that issue SPIDs are: Aruba Infocert Intesa Sanpaolo Namirial Poste Register Sielte Tim Lepida InfoCamere Etna Hitech TeamSystem read also Spid Italian Post Office: how to obtain it, costs and how safe it is How to request the SPID: necessary documents and activation procedure The procedure for activating the SPID varies slightly depending on the digital identity providers.
However, the documents and general procedures for activation are the same.
Required Documents Identity Document: A valid identity document, such as an identity card, passport or driving license, is required.
Tax code: The tax code is essential to identify the applicant for tax purposes.
Email or Phone Number: You must provide a valid email address or phone number to receive opt-in communications and instructions.
Activation Procedure Once you have chosen the provider with which to activate your digital identity, the applicant must access the provider's website and follow the registration procedure.
This usually involves the following steps: data entry: during registration, the applicant enters the requested personal data, tax code, and identity document details; identity validation: depending on the provider, an identity validation process may be required, such as sending a copy of your identity document via webcam or in-person facial recognition procedure; creation of credentials: once the identity has been validated, the system allows the applicant to create a username and password; SPID activation: after creating the credentials, the SPID service is activated and the applicant can use it to access online services.
With the [Simplifications Decree>article126116] a new delegation management system was introduced which allows a delegation to be given to a person in possession of a SPID for access to online public services with INPS or the Revenue Agency.
This is very useful for the elderly who, even without SPID, can still use digital identity services through the credentials of a delegated family member.
The delegation can be purchased online or at public counters and can concern one or more public services.
SPID: how much it costs and how long it takes to obtain it The request for activation of the digital identity and its subsequent use with security levels 1 and 2 is in most cases free.
However, a fee must be paid depending on the method of recognition.
In the following table we see what the costs are based on the various recognition methods made available to citizens by the main providers.
In person Remotely with webcam CIE CNS Digital Signature Italian Post Office €12 Free €10 Free Free Aruba / €24.90 Free €9.90 €9.90 Infocert €9.90 €29.90 €29.90 Free Free Sielte Free 9.99/14.99€ Free Free Free Namirial Free 19.90/24.90€ Free Free Free Lepida Free Free Free Free Free Free InfoRooms Free / Free Free Free Etna Hitech Free Free Free Free Free Free The prices indicated in the relative table the costs applied by Infocert for identification via video webcam and CIE are currently discounted at €16.90 and €9.90 respectively.
To register for SPID with Intesa San Paolo, you must go to an authorized branch and pay an activation fee of 9.99 euros, which includes recognition at one of the authorized Mooney sales points.
Aruba, Infocert, Poste, Tim and Lepida, in addition to the free activation method, also offer paid registration methods with additional services for professional use and for companies.
Regardless of the provider chosen, once identification has been carried out correctly, it will take a maximum of 48 hours for the SPID to be activated and can be used.
The advantages of SPID The SPID offers various advantages in terms of access to online services and the simplification of bureaucratic procedures.
Below we list some of the main advantages.
Simplified access: with the same credentials, users can access a wide range of online services provided by public and private entities without having to create separate accounts and credentials for each.
Speeding up bureaucracy: with SPID it is not necessary to show up in person at public offices to carry out certain operations.
Many transactions can be managed from the comfort of home through digital identity.
Security: the use of a strong authentication system with SPID helps to guarantee the security of personal data and online transactions, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Time saving: by eliminating the need to repeat registration and authentication for each online service, SPID allows significant time savings for users.
Unique and verified identity: SPID provides a unique and verified digital identity, which is particularly useful for carrying out transactions that require secure and reliable identification.
Digital innovation: SPID promotes digital innovation and the evolution of online services, encouraging the creation of new applications and services that can be easily accessible through a single digital identity.
Furthermore, SPID complies with European regulations on IT security and personal data protection, ensuring a high level of security and compliance.
Difference between SPID and CIE The SPID and the CIE (Electronic Identity Card) are both tools used for digital identification and the management of online transactions, but they are different in various aspects.
The main differences between SPID and CIE concern the main purposes of use.
SPID's aim is to allow users to access online services provided by public and private bodies.
It is designed to simplify and unify access to a wide range of digital services.
While the CIE was born with a different purpose.
This is, in fact, an electronic version of the traditional physical identity card which, in addition to being used for physical identification, can also be used to access online services, providing a secure method of authentication.
The activation procedures are also different.
In the case of the CIE, the user must make an appointment at the Municipalities with the single registry booking system and follow the procedures established by the competent authorities.
The issuance of the CIE involves the collection of biometric data and the generation of an electronic chip embedded in the card.
SPID provides a unified digital identity, reducing the need to store multiple credentials and simplifying the online user experience.
Therefore, while the SPID is only a digital identification system, the CIE acts both as a physical identity card and as a digital authentication tool.
The choice between SPID and CIE depends on the user's specific needs and the services they intend to access.
read also Spid or Cie, what is better and what are the differences Differences between SPID and CNS The National Service Card (CNS) is a smart card with an embedded microchip containing the user's personal data and digital certificates, issued in Italy to allow the access to secure online services and digital signature of documents.
CNS was introduced to improve security in digital transactions and simplify access to a variety of public and private services.
SPID and CNS are both digital identification systems in Italy, but they differ in several aspects.
While the SPID is a system based on digital credentials that allows secure access to online services, the CNS is a physical card.
SPID is managed by private Identity Providers, while CNS is issued by public bodies such as the Revenue Agency.
Both allow access to public and private services, but the CNS is more oriented towards secure identification through the use of digital signatures.
Furthermore, the use of SPID occurs online only, while CNS may require physical interactions in some cases.
read also What is the difference between SPID and National Services Charter (Cns)? Will SPID retire? What's true? The survival of the SPID has been discussed for two years.
The Meloni Government seems to want to replace it with the CIE, which is more convenient for the State, since unlike the SPID, the cost of the electronic identity card is borne by the citizen.
However, with an amendment to the Pnrr decree the government has allocated 40 million euros to pay SPID providers, thus guaranteeing its survival at least until the end of 2024.
SPID actually has its advantages, first of all, the very short lead time activation.
While we are trying to strengthen the CIE in view of its implementation in place of the SPID, the security standards set by Europe for the European digital identity, which should see the light from 2025, have thought of a Digital Identity Wallet, a digital wallet into which each user can upload their documents.
It will be made available within the Io app, presumably in 2025, and, at least in an initial phase, will not replace the SPID; but according to hypotheses, it will become the main tool for interacting with public bodies.
read also From Spid to the single app: what will happen in the coming months and how we will access the PA services