Documents Needed to Open a Bank Account in Italy
Documents Needed to Open a Bank Account in Italy
The documents needed to open a bank account in Italy depend on the bank, the account type and whether you are an Italian resident or non-resident.
Most applicants need a valid identity document and an Italian tax identification number, known as the codice fiscale. Foreign customers may also be asked for a residence permit, proof of address, tax-residency details and documents explaining their income or source of funds.
Online accounts generally have stricter residence and document requirements than accounts opened at a physical branch.
Quick Document Checklist
Prepare the following before applying:
- Valid passport or national identity card
- Italian codice fiscale
- Residence permit for non-EU citizens, when applicable
- Proof of Italian or foreign residential address
- Italian mobile phone number
- Email address
- University admission letter or employment contract
- Scholarship, salary or financial-support documents
- Recent bank statements
- Tax identification numbers for other countries
- Documents explaining the source of larger deposits
The bank may request only some of these documents or ask for additional information after reviewing your application.
1. Valid Identity Document
The bank must verify your identity before opening an account. Commonly accepted documents include:
- Passport
- Italian identity card
- EU national identity card
- Italian driving licence
- Other official photographic documents accepted by the bank
UniCredit states that the standard documents needed to open a current account are a valid identity document and codice fiscale. Intesa Sanpaolo similarly allows online applicants to identify themselves using an identity card, driving licence or passport.
The document must be valid, readable and show the same name used throughout the application.
2. Italian Codice Fiscale
The codice fiscale is one of the most important requirements for opening an Italian bank account. It is Italy’s personal tax identification code and is used for banking, employment, university registration, healthcare and dealings with public authorities.
Foreign citizens may receive their first codice fiscale through:
- The immigration desk during certain residence-permit procedures
- The police headquarters in some immigration cases
- An Italian Revenue Agency office
- An Italian embassy or consulate when applying from abroad
The Italian Revenue Agency confirms that foreign citizens can request the tax code and that residents abroad may submit the official application through an Italian diplomatic or consular office or a Revenue Agency office.
Take the official certificate, tax card or health card showing your codice fiscale. Banks may reject an unofficial tax-code calculation generated by a commercial website.
3. Residence Permit for Non-EU Citizens
Non-EU students, employees and other foreign residents should prepare their valid Italian residence permit, known as a permesso di soggiorno, or evidence that an eligible application or renewal is being processed.
The exact requirement differs by bank and product. A basic current account may have different identification rules from a credit card, overdraft or loan.
For certain basic accounts, a temporary residence document may be accepted when the customer does not have another standard identity document. UniCredit, for example, states that a temporary residence permit may be sufficient in specific circumstances for its basic account.
Bring both the residence document and passport rather than relying on the permit alone.
4. Proof of Address
Banks may ask you to confirm your Italian or foreign residential address.
Possible evidence includes:
- Italian residence certificate
- Rental agreement
- University accommodation confirmation
- Utility bill
- Official government correspondence
- Recent statement from another bank
Online banks commonly require the applicant to be officially resident in Italy. BBVA Italy, for example, restricts its standard online current account to Italian residents. Poste Italiane also states that applicants opening certain BancoPosta accounts online must have Italian tax residence.
Non-residents should choose a bank and account that explicitly accepts customers living outside Italy.
5. Italian Mobile Number and Digital Identification
For an online application, you may need:
- Smartphone with a working camera
- Italian or supported European mobile number
- Email address
- Selfie or video identification
- SPID or electronic identity card in some processes
- Existing bank account for a verification transfer
Intesa Sanpaolo identifies online customers through video verification or a bank transfer. BBVA’s application requires photographs of an accepted identity document and selfies.
If the digital verification fails, the bank may direct you to a branch.
Documents for International Students
International students should prepare:
- Valid passport or EU identity card
- Italian codice fiscale
- Residence permit for non-EU students
- University admission letter
- Certificate of enrolment
- Proof of accommodation
- Scholarship confirmation
- Evidence of personal savings
- Foreign bank statements
- Sponsorship or family-support documents
The university documents help explain why you live in Italy and why you need the account. Financial documents show how rent, tuition and other living expenses will be funded.
Documents for Employees and Workers
Employees should prepare:
- Employment contract
- Employer declaration
- Recent payslip, when available
- Residence permit allowing employment
- Italian tax information
- Proof of address
Self-employed applicants may also need:
- VAT number
- Business registration
- Recent tax return
- Invoices or income records
A salary statement is not normally necessary for a simple account and debit card, but it may be required for a credit card, overdraft or loan.
Proof of Income and Source of Funds
Italian banks must complete anti-money-laundering and customer-verification checks. They may ask:
- Why you need the account
- Where deposited money will come from
- How much you expect to receive
- Whether money will arrive from abroad
- Which countries will be involved
- Whether another person supports you financially
The Bank of Italy requires financial institutions to identify customers using reliable documents and obtain information needed for customer due diligence.
Supporting documents can include:
- Scholarship letter
- Employment contract
- Payslips
- Foreign bank statements
- Tax returns
- Property-sale documents
- Inheritance records
- Sponsorship declaration
Tax-Residence Information
You will usually need to declare:
- Italy as a tax residence, when applicable
- Any other country where you are tax resident
- Foreign tax identification numbers
- US tax status, when relevant
Students should answer according to their actual tax position rather than assuming that studying in Italy automatically removes tax obligations elsewhere.
Documents for Non-Residents
A non-resident applicant should prepare:
- Valid passport
- Italian codice fiscale
- Proof of foreign address
- Foreign tax identification number
- Evidence of non-resident status
- Proof explaining why an Italian account is required
- Income or source-of-funds documents
Many digital accounts are restricted to Italian residents. Non-residents will usually have better chances through a bank that explicitly accepts them and may need to visit a branch.
What If You Cannot Open a Regular Account?
People legally residing in the European Union can request an Italian basic payment account when they do not already hold another Italian account providing the same essential services.
A basic account may include:
- Deposits and withdrawals
- Debit card
- Salary or scholarship payments
- Direct debits
- SEPA transfers
- Essential online services
It does not normally include credit, an overdraft or a credit card.
Final Answer
The two main documents needed to open a bank account in Italy are a valid identity document and an Italian codice fiscale.
Foreign students and workers should also prepare their residence permit, proof of address and documents explaining their studies, employment and source of funds. Online accounts usually require Italian residence and digital identity verification, while non-residents may need to apply at a physical branch.
Official Sources
- Italian Revenue Agency – Tax Identification Number for Foreign Citizens
- Bank of Italy – Basic Payment Account
- Bank of Italy – Customer Due-Diligence Rules
- UniCredit – Documents Needed to Open an Account
- Intesa Sanpaolo – Opening a Current Account Online
- Poste Italiane – Open a BancoPosta Account
- BBVA Italy – Accepted Documents
