How to Get Your SPID with Poste Italiane: A Comprehensive Guide

The Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale (SPID), or Public Digital Identity System, is essential for accessing a wide range of online services offered by Italian public administrations and private entities. It’s like a digital key that unlocks access to things like filing taxes, managing healthcare appointments, applying for government benefits, and much more. If you live in Italy, having SPID is almost mandatory to navigate the bureaucracy efficiently. Poste Italiane, the Italian postal service, is one of the accredited providers of SPID, offering a relatively straightforward process. This guide will provide a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough on how to obtain your SPID with Poste Italiane.

What is SPID and Why Do You Need It?

Before diving into the process, let’s clarify what SPID is and why it’s so important.

• SPID Defined: SPID is a unique digital identity that allows you to access various online services using a single username and password combination. It simplifies the process of interacting with public and private entities online, eliminating the need to remember multiple sets of credentials.
• Level of Security: SPID offers different levels of security (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3), each providing varying degrees of authentication for different online services. The most common and widely used is Level 2. Poste Italiane typically provides Level 2 SPID.
• Why You Need SPID: In Italy, an increasing number of services require SPID authentication. This includes:
• Government services: Accessing INPS (National Social Security Institute), Agenzia delle Entrate (Tax Agency), and other public administration portals.
• Healthcare services: Booking medical appointments, downloading test results, and managing your healthcare records.
• Municipal services: Applying for permits, paying local taxes, and interacting with your municipality online.
• Private entities: Some private companies, like banks and insurance providers, are also adopting SPID for secure access to their online services.

In short, SPID simplifies online interactions and is practically a necessity for anyone living in Italy.

Getting Started with SPID at Poste Italiane: Prerequisites

Before you start the SPID application process with Poste Italiane, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

• Valid Italian Identification Document: This can be either your Italian identity card (Carta d’Identità), passport, or driving license (Patente di Guida). The document must be valid and not expired.
• Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) or Tax Code Card (Codice Fiscale): You’ll need your tax identification number, which is on either your health insurance card or tax code card.
• Italian Mobile Phone Number: You need an active mobile phone number that is registered in Italy. This phone will be used for SMS verification during the registration and login process.
• Active Email Address: You’ll need a valid and accessible email address. Poste Italiane will use this email address for communication purposes.
• Computer or Smartphone with an Internet Connection: The initial registration process can be done online.
• Optionally, a Webcam: Some verification methods, such as the online video identification, require a webcam.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining SPID with Poste Italiane

Poste Italiane offers several ways to obtain SPID. We’ll cover the most common and straightforward method, which involves online registration and a physical visit for identification. Other methods, like fully online verification with a webcam, are also available, but we’ll focus on the most generally applicable approach. Here’s how to get SPID with Poste Italiane:

Step 1: Begin the Online Registration

1. Visit the Poste Italiane SPID Website: Go to the official Poste Italiane website dedicated to SPID. You can usually find this by searching for “Poste Italiane SPID” on your browser.
2. Click on “Richiedi SPID” (Request SPID): Find the button or link that says “Richiedi SPID,” or something similar, and click on it. This will start the registration process.
3. Choose “Livello 2” (Level 2): Select the SPID Level 2 option. This is generally the most used level and the one that Poste Italiane mainly offers to individuals.
4. Select the Payment Method: Poste Italiane typically offers a variety of payment options, often involving a small one-time cost or a yearly fee for the service. Choose the option that best suits you. Sometimes they have promotional offers with reduced or no fees. Review all options carefully.
5. Fill in the Online Form: You will be prompted to fill in a form with your personal details. This includes:
   • Your full name (first and last)
   • Date and place of birth
   • Your Italian Tax Code (Codice Fiscale)
   • Email address
   • Italian mobile phone number
   • Home address
   • Chosen username (choose carefully because it cannot be changed later)

   Make sure to double-check all your information before submitting.

6. Create Your Password: You’ll also need to create a strong password for your SPID account. Make sure it adheres to the requirements indicated by Poste Italiane (often including a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols). Store this password securely.
7. Agree to the Terms and Conditions: After filling in the form, you’ll need to agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy of Poste Italiane. Read them carefully before agreeing.
8. Submit the Application: Once you’ve filled in the form and agreed to the terms, submit your application online.

Step 2: Choose a Verification Method

After submitting your online registration, you will be prompted to choose a verification method for confirming your identity. Poste Italiane provides several options, including:

• In-Person Verification at a Post Office: This is the most common method and the one we will focus on. You’ll need to go to a physical Poste Italiane office with your ID documents. This typically does not require an appointment but, during busy periods, an appointment can be beneficial.
• Video Identification Online (with a Webcam): If you have a webcam, you can choose the online video identification method. This will involve a video call where an operator will check your identity document. Ensure you have a stable internet connection and a clear view of your documents and yourself.
• Use of a Digital Signature (Firma Digitale): If you have a valid digital signature device, this can be used to speed up the verification process.
• Through a qualified authorized third party: Certain authorized partner companies can perform the ID verification process for Poste Italiane.

For this guide, we will describe the in-person verification method at a Post Office, as it’s the most accessible to most users.

Step 3: Complete the Verification at the Post Office

1. Visit Your Local Post Office: Locate a Poste Italiane office near you that handles SPID registrations. Not all post offices offer this service, so it might be useful to check on the website beforehand if there’s a local post office ready to offer SPID registration nearby.
2. Bring Your Documents: Make sure to bring all the original documents you used during your online application. This includes:
• Your valid Italian identification document (Carta d’Identità, Passport, or Patente di Guida)
• Your Tessera Sanitaria or Codice Fiscale card
• The application reference number (it might be sent to your email address or be available on the website).
3. Inform the Post Office Employee: Let the staff know you are there to complete the SPID identification process.
4. Verification Process: The employee will verify your identity and documents. They may ask you some questions to confirm your information.
5. Final Confirmation: If everything matches, the employee will finalize the registration process. They will provide you with information on how to use your SPID credentials.

Step 4: Activate and Use Your SPID

Once your identity is verified, Poste Italiane will send you an activation code via SMS to your registered mobile number or by email. This is essential to complete the activation of the account. Instructions for completing the activation will be included in the messages.

1. Receive Activation Code: Check your email and/or phone for the activation code.
2. Access the Activation Link/Portal: Follow the instructions from Poste Italiane to finalize your activation. It usually involves accessing a link from the email or going to a specific page on the website where you must enter the activation code.
3. Set Up a Temporary Password and Reset it: You might be asked to create a temporary password and then to replace it with a new one as part of the activation procedure.
4. Download PosteID App (Optional but Recommended): Poste Italiane also offers a mobile application called PosteID. Downloading the app is recommended as it can make the login process faster and more secure. It also allows you to have a QR code based login which does not require password re-entry every time. This will give you an alternative method of authenticating your login. If you choose to use it, download the app from your app store (App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android), and link it to your SPID account.
5. Start Using Your SPID: Your SPID is now active and ready to be used. Visit any website that accepts SPID authentication (you’ll usually see the SPID logo at the login stage) and enter your username and password or use the PosteID app for QR code login.

Important Considerations

• Cost: SPID with Poste Italiane may come with a cost, either as a one-time activation fee or a recurring annual fee. Be sure to check their current price structure. Some promotional periods might offer reduced fees.
• Time: The process, from online application to the full activation, might take a few days, depending on the availability of appointments and post office opening hours.
• Password Security: Keep your SPID password and your PosteID app PIN secure. Do not share them with anyone.
• Lost/Stolen Documents: If any of your ID documents are lost or stolen, notify Poste Italiane and take appropriate action according to law enforcement regulations, as this might impact your SPID account.
• Customer Support: If you encounter any problems, contact Poste Italiane’s customer support. They have telephone lines, email contact points and online chat services available.
• Multiple SPID Accounts: You are not allowed to hold more than one SPID account at a time. If you already have SPID with another provider, it’s not necessary to get one with Poste Italiane as well.

Conclusion

Obtaining your SPID with Poste Italiane is a necessary step for smooth interaction with many online services in Italy. Following the steps described in this guide, you should be able to get your digital identity efficiently. By having SPID, you’ll be able to access essential public services from your home or office, saving you precious time and effort. Remember to keep your credentials secure and contact Poste Italiane support if you have any questions or encounter issues during the process.

Good luck, and welcome to the convenient world of SPID!