One of Italy’s most persistent challenges is its overwhelming bureaucracy, which burdens everyday life for citizens, businesses, nonprofits, and even public institutions. But there’s promising news on the horizon. As part of the European recovery plan, Italy is committed to streamlining 600 administrative procedures by June 2026—and real progress may finally be underway.

Among the proposed reforms under review by the Ministry of the Interior is a plan to eliminate the need for elderly citizens to renew their ID cards. Other simplifications target key sectors like telecommunications, environmental regulation, education, healthcare, renewable energy, and small business operations—including starting, suspending, or closing artisan or freelance businesses.