The PEC address (Posta Elettronica Certificata) is a certified electronic mail address, which, in Italy, has evidentiary value comparable to that of a registered letter with return receipt. When messages are exchanged between two PEC addresses, acceptance and delivery receipts are generated automatically. These receipts provide legally relevant proof of the date, time and integrity of the transmitted message. The content of the message, including any attachments, is also documented and protected against subsequent alterations.
Companies, corporations, freelancers and numerous commercial activities are legally required to use a PEC address. This address must be filed with the Companies Register. Since 2025, this obligation has also included the appointed directors of Italian companies: each director must apply for a personal PEC address and also register it with the Companies Register.
PEC enables efficient, secure and legally recognized communication with authorities, business partners and clients. It facilitates the management of deadlines, the documentation of notifications and various organizational processes.
Nevertheless, there are limitations: the PEC only has full legal effect within Italy and only if both the sender and the recipient have a PEC address. Messages sent to ordinary email addresses lose their certified status.
Although it is a paid service, PEC represents a key instrument of digital administration in Italy. Planned adjustments to the European eIDAS standards are expected to further harmonize and professionalize its use in the future.