The pre-notification is the first step in a process that will enable Italian citizens and business to use their SPID credentials to access public services in other Member States. This will make cross-border interactions easier and more secure for Italian citizens and businesses. Italy is the second Member State to pre-notify its national eID scheme, following Germany's notification which was completed last September.
In a letter from 24 November 2017 Marianna Madia, the Italian Minister of Public Administration and Simplification officially pre-notified the national eID scheme to Vice President of the European Commission Andrus Ansip. This notification is significant, because it is the first national eID scheme to be notified under the eIDAS regulation that is led by the private sector. This is a good example that both the private and public sector play a key role in constructing a Europe in which national eID schemes are recognised across borders.
The pre-notification of SPID covers 8 eID service providers, including 3 providers that issue eID means up to level of assurance "high". Read details on levels of assurance which include detailed criteria which allow Member States to map their eID means against a benchmark (low, substantial and high) and the implementing regulation.
Next steps
Following the Italian pre-notification, the other Member States participating in the Cooperation Network will be able to peer-review SPID, if they wish so, and the actual notification of the eID scheme will then follow. After publication of the notification by the European Commission, other Member States have to recognise SPID eIDs at the latest 12 months after the publication.
eIDAS
In an increasingly digital society it is important that citizens and businesses trust their digital interactions, also in cross-border situations. This is why the eIDAS regulation aims to provide a predictable regulatory environment to enable secure and seamless electronic interactions between businesses, citizens and public authorities. The regulation ensures that people and businesses can use their own eID to access public services in other EU countries where eIDs are available. Read more about eIDAS.
Read Vice President Ansip's blog on the pre-notification of Italy's eID scheme.