What is AIRE?

The acronym AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero) indicates the register, established on 27 October 1988 with law #470, of all Italian citizens who don’t reside in Italy. Currently, AIRE registers almost 6 million Italian citizens, so about 10% of Italian citizens live abroad (that means 1 Italian out of 10!!).

Registering with AIRE is a right (but also a duty!) of Italian citizens that allows the exercise of certain rights, including obtaining the release and renewal of Italian identity and travel documents, renewal also in non-EU countries -European driving licenses, and the exercise of the right to vote.

Each municipality has its AIRE and has the task of keeping it updated. But Italy also has a national AIRE containing the data transmitted by the municipal registers and the indication relating to the citizen's registration in the electoral rolls of the municipality of origin.

Not updating the information concerning, in particular, the change of address makes contact with the citizen impossible. That’s why it’s essential that the Italian citizen proceeds with his registration and communicates his address correctly and completely in compliance with the postal regulations of the country of residence.