Poste Italiane S.p.A. announces transition of its SPID service to a paid model

Poste Italiane has declared that its SPID service, accessed through the PosteId platform, will shift from a free offering to a paid service after the first year of use. The change is effective from 2026 and aligns Poste Italiane with the pricing models already adopted by other SPID providers, such as Aruba, which introduced a fee from the second year of subscription.

Key details of the new pricing structure

  • First year: The SPID service remains free of charge.
  • Second year onward: A fee of €6 per year will apply to all users who maintain an active SPID registration.
  • Exemptions: Users who are eligible for existing public sector benefits, such as the electronic identity card (CIE), or who possess other verified electronic identification documents, may be exempt from the fee.
  • Renewal and payment: The fee will be automatically charged at renewal time, with the option to pay online through the PosteId portal.

Context and impact

  • Digital identity landscape: The decision follows a decade of free access that positioned Poste Italiane as the most widely used SPID provider in Italy. The move to a paid model represents a significant shift in the national digital identity ecosystem.
  • User base: Millions of citizens rely on SPID for access to public administration services, banking, and e‑commerce platforms. The introduction of a fee may influence user behaviour, potentially encouraging the use of alternative identity providers or the adoption of the CIE to avoid costs.
  • Financial implications for Poste Italiane: While the announcement does not provide revenue forecasts, the introduction of a fee could generate additional income for the company’s digital services segment. Given Poste Italiane’s market capitalization of approximately €28.2 billion and a price‑earnings ratio of 12.91, the move may be viewed as a strategic effort to diversify income streams within its financial services portfolio.

Corporate response

Poste Italiane’s statement emphasised that the change “does not alter the quality of service” and that the company remains committed to providing secure, reliable digital identity solutions. The company also highlighted that the electronic identity card (CIE) remains free and can be used as an alternative to SPID for users who wish to avoid the €6 fee.

  • Recruitment of financial consultants: On the same day, Poste Italiane announced a hiring drive for financial consultants in the Gallura region, targeting recent graduates and young professionals.
  • Strategic acquisitions: While unrelated to SPID, Giovanni Cagnoli’s acquisition of Key2people through the holding Carisma was reported, signalling ongoing activity in the consultancy sector.

The transition of Poste Italiane’s SPID service to a paid model marks a pivotal moment for Italy’s digital identity framework, potentially reshaping user engagement and influencing the competitive dynamics among identity service providers.