Italy has revised its passport regulations for the first time in 60 years, introducing changes to align with international travel standards. The amendments, part of a broader legislative update, aim to modernise bureaucratic procedures.
The foreign ministry stated on Friday that the adjustments were “not substantial” but “small updates” to bring a 1967 law in line with current international practices. One key change is the formal abolition of the option to renew expired passports without issuing a new booklet. The ministry noted that this practice had not been in use for years, as modern passports must be machine-readable at airports.
Passports will continue to have a 10-year validity, with no option for renewal after expiration. The previous system, which allowed for an initial five-year passport that could be extended, has been entirely phased out.
Another significant update is the elimination of the collective passport, which was previously available for groups of five to 50 people travelling for cultural, religious, sports, or tourism purposes. The foreign ministry clarified that this document had not been issued for years due to non-compliance with international standards.
For Italian citizens abroad, minor procedural changes have been introduced. Consulates are now authorised to issue travel declarations for minors if required by the destination country. Additionally, those who lose or have their passport stolen abroad must report it to local police authorities. However, if this is not possible, consulates can still issue a replacement passport.
The bill also confirms that the carta d’identità (identity card) remains valid for travel outside the European Union to countries with specific bilateral agreements in place.
