How to Open a Bank Account in Italy as an International Student

How to Open a Bank Account in Italy as an International Student

Learning how to open a bank account in Italy as an international student can make managing tuition payments, rent, scholarships and daily expenses much easier. An Italian current account—known as a conto corrente—usually provides an IBAN, debit card, online banking and access to SEPA transfers.

The process is not identical at every bank. Some accounts are available only to registered Italian residents, while others accept non-residents who have an Italian tax code. Online banks may also require Italian-issued identification or SPID, making a branch application more practical for newly arrived students.

Can International Students Open a Bank Account in Italy?

Yes. International students can open bank accounts in Italy when they meet the bank’s identification and residency requirements.

Students legally resident in an EU country are also entitled to request a basic payment account. A bank cannot reject a basic-account application solely because the applicant does not live in the country where that bank is established. This legal right applies to basic payment accounts, not automatically to premium accounts, savings accounts or credit products.

Banks can still reject an ordinary current-account application after completing identity, tax-residence and anti-money-laundering checks.

Documents Needed to Open a Student Bank Account

The exact requirements depend on the bank and the student’s immigration status. Prepare:

• A valid passport or accepted national identity card
• An Italian tax identification number, or codice fiscale
• Proof of an Italian residential address
• A valid student visa for non-EU nationals
• Residence permit or application receipt when requested
• University admission or enrolment certificate
• Italian or European mobile telephone number
• Proof of tax residence
• SPID or an Italian electronic identity card for some online accounts

Italian banks commonly list a valid identity document and codice fiscale as the core documents needed to open a current account.

A bank may request additional information about the source of funds, expected transactions or countries from which the student will receive money.

Step 1: Obtain an Italian Codice Fiscale

The codice fiscale is the Italian tax identification number. It is commonly required for banking, rental contracts, university procedures and dealings with public authorities.

Foreign citizens applying for their first codice fiscale can request it from the Italian Revenue Agency. The agency states that EU and non-EU foreign citizens applying directly for their first number must book an in-person appointment. Applicants living abroad may also submit the relevant form through an Italian diplomatic or consular office.

Students should obtain an official certificate rather than relying only on a tax-code number produced by an unofficial online calculator.

Step 2: Choose the Right Account Type

International students normally choose between three options.

Standard Current Account

A standard conto corrente offers:

• Italian IBAN
• Debit card
• Cash withdrawals
• SEPA transfers
• Direct debits
• Online and mobile banking

It is generally the best choice for receiving scholarships, paying rent and managing regular expenses.

Basic Bank Account

A conto di base provides essential banking services such as transfers, withdrawals and debit-card payments. It can be useful when a student has been rejected for an ordinary account or needs only basic services.

Prepaid Card With IBAN

A prepaid card with an IBAN may allow the student to receive transfers and make payments without opening a complete current account. However, it may have lower limits and fewer services than a traditional bank account.

Step 3: Compare Eligibility Before Applying

Do not start an online application until you confirm that the bank accepts your documents.

For example:

• UniCredit’s Genius Buddy account is intended for adults who are resident in Italy.
• Intesa Sanpaolo states that XME Conto Silver can be opened by adult residents and non-residents who have an Italian codice fiscale.
• BancoPosta’s online application requires Italian tax residence and an identity document issued in Italy, although accounts can also be requested through a post office.

Newly arrived students with only a foreign passport may therefore have better results by arranging a branch appointment.

Step 4: Apply Online or Visit a Branch

Opening an Account Online

The digital application usually involves:

1. Entering personal and tax-residence information
2. Uploading an identity document
3. Confirming the codice fiscale
4. Completing a selfie or video identification
5. Providing an Italian address
6. Answering anti-money-laundering questions
7. Signing the agreement electronically

Some banks allow identification through SPID, video verification or a transfer from another account in the applicant’s name. Intesa Sanpaolo, for example, supports online identification methods but requires accepted documents for the digital process.

Opening an Account at a Branch

Bring original documents rather than screenshots or photocopies. A branch employee may ask about:

• Your university and course
• Expected length of stay
• Source of scholarship or family funds
• Estimated monthly deposits
• Tax residence outside Italy
• Reason for opening the account

Ask whether the bank accepts the residence-permit application receipt when the physical permit has not yet been issued.

Step 5: Review the Fees Before Signing

Before accepting the contract, request the Fee Information Document and information sheet. Italian banks must provide standardised documents showing major fees and an estimated annual cost indicator.

Check the cost of:

• Monthly account maintenance
• Debit-card issuance and renewal
• Withdrawals from another bank’s ATM
• Online and branch transfers
• Foreign-currency transactions
• Cash deposits
• Paper statements
• Card replacement
• Overdrafts

Italy generally applies annual stamp duty of €34.20 to personal current accounts when the average balance exceeds €5,000, unless an exemption or bank promotion applies.

Step 6: Activate the Account

After approval:

• Confirm your Italian IBAN
• Activate the debit card
• Set the card PIN
• Enable mobile banking
• Register for transaction notifications
• Test a small incoming transfer
• Add the IBAN to university or scholarship records
• Set up rent and utility payments

Keep copies of the signed contract, fee documents and account details. The Bank of Italy recommends retaining the contract and pre-contractual documents for future reference.

What to Do if the Bank Rejects Your Application

First, ask whether the problem concerns:

• Unsupported identity documents
• Missing proof of address
• Incomplete residence-permit documentation
• Tax-residence information
• The bank’s requirement for registered Italian residency

You can then try a branch-based bank or request a basic payment account. If a basic-account application is rejected, the provider must communicate the reason within the required period, except when disclosure is restricted by anti-money-laundering or security rules. Complaints can be submitted to the bank and, where appropriate, escalated to the Banking and Financial Ombudsman.

Official Sources

• Italian Revenue Agency – Tax Identification Number for Foreign Citizens
• Bank of Italy – How to Open and Close a Current Account
• Bank of Italy – The Basic Account
• European Union – Opening a Basic Bank Account
• Intesa Sanpaolo – XME Conto Silver
• UniCredit – Current Account Documents
• Poste Italiane – BancoPosta Current Accounts