I have lost my identity card.
'Identità' = ee-den-tee-TAH. Stress on final syllable — all nouns ending in -tà are stressed there.
When your Italian national identity card (CIE) or foreign ID is missing.
'Carta d'identità' is the Italian national identity document issued by the Comune di residenza. The modern version (CIE — Carta d'Identità Elettronica) is a chip card valid for 10 years (adults) or 3/5 years (children). To replace a lost CIE, you must go to your Comune with a passport photo, pay €22.50, and show proof of loss (denuncia di smarrimento from the police). Processing takes 6 business days.
Devo denunciare lo smarrimento della carta d'identità.
I need to report the loss of my identity card.
The denuncia is required before you can get a replacement.
Ho perso solo la patente, ho ancora il passaporto.
I've only lost my licence, I still have my passport.
Clarify which documents remain — each has its own replacement process.
Qual è il documento accettato come sostitutivo temporaneo?
What document is accepted as a temporary substitute?
Ask the police or Comune — they can sometimes issue a declaration.
The Italian CIE (Carta d'Identità Elettronica) functions as a travel document within the EU and many other countries. It also serves as a digital identity for accessing online public services (SPID). Losing your CIE and passport simultaneously in a foreign country requires contacting the nearest Italian consulate.