How to use the IO app for Italian government services
Learn how to set up and use the IO app to access Italian government services, receive official messages, and make payments from your phone.
What you will learn
In this guide, you will learn how to set up the IO app on your phone and use it to access Italian government services. IO lets you receive messages from public administrations, pay taxes and fees, access the Carta Giovani Nazionale, and manage government bonuses. It is the single official app for interacting with Italian public services digitally.
What you need
- An iPhone or Android phone
- A SPID digital identity or a CIE (Carta di Identità Elettronica) with its PIN
- An internet connection
The steps
Step 1: Download the IO app
Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for IO. The app icon is a white circle with a blue background. Tap Install or Get to download it.
Step 2: Open the app and start login
Open the IO app. On the welcome screen, tap Log in with SPID or Log in with CIE. If you choose SPID, select your SPID provider from the list (for example PosteID, Aruba, or Infocert). If you choose CIE, you will need your CIE card and its PIN.
Step 3: Complete the login
If you selected SPID, enter your SPID username and password on the provider’s login page. Approve the login on your SPID provider’s app if requested. If you selected CIE, enter the first 4 digits of your CIE PIN, then hold your CIE card against the back of your phone for the NFC reader to scan it, then enter the remaining 4 digits.
Step 4: Set up your security code
After logging in for the first time, IO will ask you to create a 6-digit unlock code. Choose a code you can remember. You can also enable Face ID or fingerprint to unlock the app more easily in the future.
Step 5: Explore your messages
Tap the Messages tab at the bottom of the screen. Here you will see official communications from government agencies, such as payment reminders, appointment confirmations, or bonus notifications. Tap any message to read its details.
Step 6: Make a payment
When you receive a payment notice in your messages (for example, a tax payment or a fine), tap the message and then tap Pay. The app uses the pagoPA system. Choose your payment method: credit card, debit card, PayPal, or bank transfer. Follow the instructions to complete the payment. You will receive a receipt in the app.
Step 7: Access your services and bonuses
Tap the Services tab to see which government services are available to you. You can activate or deactivate notifications for each service. If you are eligible for bonuses (like the Bonus Cultura or Carta Giovani), they will appear in the Wallet tab where you can activate and use them.
Tips
- Keep push notifications turned on for the IO app so you do not miss important messages from the government.
- You can add a payment card to the app’s wallet once and use it for all future payments without entering the details again.
- If your SPID login fails, make sure your SPID provider app is up to date and that you have approved the login notification.
- Check the Services tab regularly because new local and national services are added frequently.
Useful links
facil.guide
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Frequently asked questions
What is the IO app?
IO is the official app of the Italian government. It brings together public services from national and local administrations in one place. You can receive messages, pay fees, access digital documents, and manage bonuses and benefits.
Do I need SPID to use the IO app?
Yes, you need either a SPID digital identity or a CIE (Carta di Identità Elettronica) to log in. If you do not have SPID yet, you need to set it up first with an authorized provider like PosteID, Aruba, or Infocert.
Is the IO app free?
Yes, the IO app is completely free to download and use. Payments you make through the app (such as taxes or fees) go to the public administration, not to the app.
Can I use IO on a computer?
No, IO is only available as a mobile app for iPhone and Android. There is no web version. All services are accessed through your phone.
What payments can I make through IO?
You can pay fines, school fees, taxes, health tickets (tickets sanitari), and other public fees through the integrated pagoPA payment system. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account.
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