What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Get One
From renting an apartment to opening a bank account, Italy’s codice fiscale is essential to daily life. One American student in Rome explains why it matters and how to get it.
Why listen to me? I am an American university student currently studying abroad in Rome. I have been living here for the past two years and still struggle with the hassle of immigration appointments and documents. I knew about acquiring a visa and a permit to stay, but I had never heard of a codice fiscale prior to moving to Rome, and I wish I had. I only became aware of this special number once I was already in situations that required me to have it.
If you are an expat living in, or considering living in Italy, it is crucial to know what a codice fiscale is and, even better, how you can obtain your own.
What is a codice fiscale? A codice fiscale in Italy, also referred to as a fiscal code, is the Italian tax code number assigned to all Italians at birth. This number is similar to Social Security numbers in the United States and National Insurance numbers in the UK. Every codice fiscale is a unique 16-character alphanumeric code generated based on a person’s name, date of birth and place of birth. This does not apply to businesses, which are assigned a randomised tax code by the Italian tax office. If you are not an Italian citizen given a codice fiscale at birth, there are still several ways to apply for one.
Why is a codice fiscale important? Before moving to Italy, or even afterwards, it is easy to underestimate why you would need a codice fiscale. It may seem that the only process to focus on is your immigration status and the paperwork and appointments that come with it. While that is extremely important, it becomes very clear quite quickly that a codice fiscale is a non-negotiable part of building a life in Italy.
You must have an Italian tax code to rent a property for longer than 30 days, buy or inherit property, obtain an Italian phone number, open an Italian bank account, apply for a mortgage and complete many other everyday procedures. Without it, integrating smoothly into Italian society becomes nearly impossible.
How do you get a codice fiscale? If you are not currently in Italy, you can apply for a codice fiscale at the Italian consulate that serves your country of residence. If you are in Italy and an EU citizen, you may apply at any office of the Agenzia delle Entrate, the Italian Revenue Agency.
If you are a non-EU citizen in Italy, you may be able to obtain a codice fiscale at the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione if you are applying for entry for work or family reunification. If you are applying for or renewing a residence permit, you may also obtain it at the local police headquarters, known as the questura. In other cases, a request can be submitted directly to the Agenzia delle Entrate.
What documents must you prepare? EU citizens applying at the Italian Revenue Agency must fill out an application form and present an identification document such as a passport or ID card. Non-EU citizens typically need additional documentation. This often includes a valid residence permit, a valid passport with visa, a certificate of identity issued by Italian diplomatic or consular authorities, and proof of the right to stay in Italy, even temporarily.
What was my experience? This process can seem daunting, especially in a foreign country where you may not speak the language. In my experience, obtaining a codice fiscale was the easiest immigration appointment I have had so far. I booked my appointment online and made sure I had all the required documents, plus copies just in case.
I did have to travel some distance for my appointment, but once there, the process was quick. After filling out the necessary forms and showing my documents, I was sent on my way with my codice fiscale in hand. Some of my peers were even able to complete the process online.
As you can see, there are multiple ways to obtain an Italian tax code. While there may be some trial and error involved, securing a codice fiscale is essential if you plan to stay in Italy long term.
