Aprigliano International Law Firm

Starting this summer, the Italian digital passport ID Pass will be available on Google Wallet, allowing Italian passport holders to store their document directly on their smartphone. The tool, already available in a number of countries and now rolling out in Italy, introduces a new way to verify identity and age online, without having to show an entire document. For the millions of Italians living abroad, and for descendants who have recently obtained or are pursuing Italian citizenship, this development is worth understanding clearly.

How does ID Pass work?

The setup process involves three steps. First, the user photographs the main page of their physical passport. Then, the NFC chip already embedded in the document is scanned. Finally, a video selfie completes the verification. Once the process is complete, the digital passport is stored directly on Google Wallet, without being saved to the cloud.

The system is based on global identity standards and is designed with privacy as a core feature. Its key innovation is selective disclosure: when a check is required, the user does not need to share the entire passport. If only age verification is needed, for example, the system can confirm that the person is over 18 without revealing name, date of birth, or any other personal data.

 

What ID Pass can and cannot replace

This is the most important point to understand. ID Pass does not replace the physical passport. At airports, government offices, border controls, and any official context requiring a full document, the physical passport must still be presented. ID Pass is designed specifically for online identity and age verification on digital platforms, not for in-person official procedures.

It is also important not to confuse ID Pass with IT-Wallet, Italy’s national digital wallet available through the IO app. IT-Wallet handles documents such as the driving licence and the health card (tessera sanitaria) for verified in-person checks. ID Pass, by contrast, is Google’s tool for online identity verification, and currently works with the passport, not the carta d’identità.

The two systems are parallel, not overlapping: one for official in-person contexts, the other for digital verification online.

 

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Italy’s digital identity landscape in numbers

Italy’s position on digital documents is already strong. Since its launch at the end of 2025, IT-Wallet has recorded over 10 million activations, with more than 17 million documents loaded, placing Italy among the leading countries in Europe for digital document adoption. However, digital wallets are still used primarily for payments rather than identity documents, suggesting that tools like ID Pass may help shift that habit.

What this means for Italians abroad and descendants pursuing citizenship

For Italian citizens living outside Italy, whether registered with AIRE or not, a digital passport stored on a smartphone offers a practical convenience for identity verification in an increasingly digital world. Online platforms, financial services, and age-restricted services are gradually adopting digital identity standards, and having a compliant digital document will become increasingly relevant.

For descendants of Italian emigrants who are currently pursuing recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, this development adds a further practical dimension to citizenship. An Italian passport, once obtained, is not only a travel document: it is now also a digital identity credential, accepted for online verification across platforms that support the standard.

If you are a descendant of an Italian-born ancestor and are considering whether to pursue Italian citizenship, a case-specific assessment remains the necessary first step to understand which path, consular or judicial, is available for your situation.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Italian digital passport replace the physical one?

No. ID Pass on Google Wallet does not replace the physical passport. Official contexts, airports, border controls, government offices, still require the physical document. ID Pass is designed for online identity and age verification on digital platforms only.

How do I set up ID Pass with my Italian passport?

The setup requires three steps: photographing the main page of the physical passport, scanning the embedded NFC chip, and completing a video selfie. Once done, the digital passport is stored on Google Wallet without being saved to the cloud.

What is the difference between ID Pass and IT-Wallet?

IT-Wallet is Italy’s national digital wallet, available via the IO app, which manages documents such as the driving licence and health card for in-person verified checks. ID Pass is Google’s tool for online identity verification, currently working with the passport. The two systems are parallel and serve different purposes.

Can I use ID Pass to verify my identity at the airport?

No. ID Pass is for online digital verification only. At airports and border controls, the physical passport must be presented.

Is the digital passport stored in the cloud?

No. According to Google, the digital document is stored locally on the device through Google Wallet, without being saved to the cloud.

What data is shared when I use ID Pass for a check?

Only the data specifically requested for the check is shared. If age verification is needed, the system can confirm the user is over 18 without revealing name, date of birth, or other personal details. This selective disclosure is one of the key privacy features of the system.

When will ID Pass be available in Italy?

The feature is expected to become available in Italy starting in summer 2026.

Thinking about obtaining an Italian passport?

To hold an Italian passport, digital or physical, you must first be a recognised Italian citizen. If you are a descendant of an Italian-born ancestor, find out whether you are eligible.