What is AIRE?

Most Italians have heard the acronym AIRE before but couldn’t answer you if you asked them what it is and what it was for. In this article, that is precisely what we will attempt to do.

AIRE is short for “Anagrafe Italiani Residenti all’Estero,” in other words – the Register of Italians Living Abroad for over 12 months. All Italians are added to it, including Italians that weren’t actually born in Italy. Children that were born outside the territory of Italy and citizens that acquired Italian citizenship as a second citizenship for instance are also added to that Register.

What’s it conducted for? First and foremost, it’s important to note that that adding one’s information to this register is an Italian legal obligation even if many Italians think that it doesn’t apply to them. It also provides them access to such services as:

• absentee voting in Italian and European Union elections and referendums while located in another country where they reside.
• obtaining or renewing identification documents and tickets;
• renewing their driver's license.

How do you sign up? Signing up is easy. All you have to do is go to and answer the questions they list for you. The process only takes 5-10 minutes.

Still have questions? Write us. Give us a call. We will be happy to provide you a detailed consultation.