How an Italian IBAN is built
Every Italian IBAN follows the same 27-character pattern. The first four characters are international and the remaining 23 are the Italian bank account number, called the BBAN.
| Positions | Example | Name | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | IT |
Country code | Always IT for Italy |
| 3–4 | 60 |
Check digits | Catch typos anywhere in the IBAN (mod-97 check) |
| 5 | X |
CIN | Italian check letter for the national part |
| 6–10 | 05428 |
ABI | Identifies the bank |
| 11–15 | 11101 |
CAB | Identifies the branch |
| 16–27 | 000000123456 |
Account number | 12 characters, padded with leading zeros |
The example is the illustration Italian banks themselves use, not a real person’s account. San Marino and the Vatican use the same structure with their own country codes, so do not confuse an SM or VA IBAN with an Italian one.
What the checker tests
The checker runs four tests, all in your browser:
- Country and length. An Italian IBAN must start with
ITand be exactly 27 characters long once spaces are removed. - Shape. Two digits after
IT, then a letter, then 10 digits for ABI and CAB, then 12 letters or digits for the account. - CIN letter. The CIN is recalculated from the ABI, CAB and account number using the Italian algorithm. A wrong CIN almost always means a typo.
- International check digits. The IBAN is rearranged and divided by 97, as defined in ISO 13616. The remainder must be 1.
If every test passes, the number is well formed. It does not prove that the account is open or that it belongs to the person you think it does.
Finding the bank from the ABI code
The ABI code (Associazione Bancaria Italiana) is the five-digit number in positions 6 to 10. Each Italian bank has one, and it does not change when a branch moves. When banks merge, accounts are usually moved to the new owner’s ABI code over several months, which is why some customers of BPER Banca or Intesa Sanpaolo received new IBANs after the Carige, Sondrio and UBI mergers.
| ABI code | Bank |
|---|---|
| 03069 | Intesa Sanpaolo |
| 02008 | UniCredit |
| 05034 | Banco BPM |
| 05387 | BPER Banca |
| 01030 | Monte dei Paschi di Siena |
| 01005 | BNL BNP Paribas |
| 06230 | Crédit Agricole Italia |
| 07601 | Poste Italiane (BancoPosta, Postepay) |
| 03015 | FinecoBank |
For every bank, including smaller ones, see the Italy SWIFT and ABI code directory.
Common IBAN mistakes
- Letter O instead of zero. Italian IBANs only contain letters in position 5 and, rarely, in the account number. If you typed an O anywhere else, it should be a 0.
- Old IBAN after a merger. If a payment bounces from an account at a bank that has since merged, ask the recipient for their current IBAN.
- Postepay card number instead of IBAN. A Postepay Evolution card has a 16-digit card number and a separate 27-character IBAN. Transfers need the IBAN.
- Missing characters. Copying from a PDF sometimes drops the last digit. Count to 27.
Is it safe to share an IBAN?
An IBAN lets people send money to an account, not take money out of it. Sharing it with a landlord, employer or friend is normal in Italy. Be cautious about sharing it alongside your identity documents with someone you do not know, because fraudsters can try to set up direct debits (SDD mandates) in your name; your bank must let you dispute an unauthorised debit.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters does an Italian IBAN have?
An Italian IBAN always has 27 characters. It starts with IT, followed by two check digits, a CIN check letter, the 5-digit ABI code, the 5-digit CAB code and a 12-character account number.
How can I tell which bank an Italian IBAN belongs to?
Characters 6 to 10 of an Italian IBAN are the ABI code, which identifies the bank. For example, 03069 is Intesa Sanpaolo and 02008 is UniCredit. The checker on this page looks the ABI up for you.
Does a valid IBAN mean the account exists?
No. A valid IBAN only means the number is correctly formed and its check digits match. Only the bank can confirm the account exists and who owns it, so always confirm details with the recipient before a large transfer.
Do I need a SWIFT code as well as an Italian IBAN?
For a euro transfer from inside the SEPA area, the IBAN is enough. For transfers from outside Europe, such as from the US, your bank will usually also ask for the recipient bank’s SWIFT/BIC code.
What is the CIN in an Italian IBAN?
The CIN (Control Internal Number) is the single letter in position 5 of an Italian IBAN. It is calculated from the ABI, CAB and account number and catches typos in the Italian part of the IBAN.
Sources and fact-checking
Checked on 2 November 2026 by Ionut Popea following our editorial policy. Fees, codes and rules change; confirm anything important with the bank or authority before acting.