Documents you will need
| Document | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport or EU identity card | Everyone | Must be valid. Some banks also ask for a second ID. |
| Codice fiscale | Everyone | Italy’s tax code. Every Italian bank requires it. See how to get one. |
| Proof of address | Everyone | Italian rental contract or residency certificate for residents; a recent utility bill or bank statement from home for non-residents. |
| Permesso di soggiorno | Non-EU residents | Or the receipt (ricevuta) of your application while you wait for the card. |
| Proof of income or status | Some accounts | Employment contract, pension statement or university enrolment. |
| US tax form W-9 | US citizens | Required by FATCA reporting rules. |
Step by step
- Get your codice fiscale. Apply at an Agenzia delle Entrate office in Italy or, in some cases, through an Italian consulate. It is free.
- Choose a bank. Decide whether you need a full resident account or a non-resident account. Compare the best banks for foreigners.
- Book an appointment. Most branches work by appointment. Ask whether an English-speaking adviser is available.
- Sign the contract. You will sign the account contract, privacy forms and an anti-money-laundering questionnaire (adeguata verifica) about where your money comes from. Contracts are in Italian; bring a friend or ask for time to read.
- Receive your IBAN and card. You get your IBAN immediately. The debit card (often called a bancomat card) follows within one to two weeks, with the PIN sent separately.
- Activate online banking. Download the bank’s app and set up the security code or token. Italian banks use strong customer authentication for every payment.
Types of account
- Conto corrente: the everyday current account, with a debit card and transfers.
- Conto di base: a basic account with capped costs that banks must offer to consumers, including people without residency.
- Conto non residenti: an account for people who live abroad. It may exclude credit cards, loans and ATM cash deposits.
- Conto deposito: a savings account that pays interest, linked to a current account.
What it costs
Look for the Indicatore Sintetico di Costo (ISC), a standard annual cost figure every Italian bank must publish for its accounts, on the fee sheet called the foglio informativo. Traditional accounts often cost €5 to €10 a month. Online accounts can be free if you meet conditions such as a salary credit or a minimum monthly inflow. Expect stamp duty (imposta di bollo) of €34.20 a year on accounts with an average balance above €5,000.
Tips from people who have done it
- Go in the morning. Many branches only see customers until about 13:30 and briefly in the afternoon.
- Ask for the IBAN on headed paper (a certificato IBAN). Landlords and employers often want it.
- Keep a foreign account open for the first months. Transfers in from abroad are cheapest with a service such as Wise; see sending money to Italy.
- To pay taxes with the F24 form, utilities by direct debit (domiciliazione) and pagoPA notices, an Italian bank’s app is the simplest option.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open an Italian bank account online from abroad?
Traditional Italian banks usually require non-residents to visit a branch in person. App-based providers such as Revolut can be opened online from abroad and now offer Italian IBANs; FinecoBank also has online onboarding.
How long does it take to open a bank account in Italy?
With all documents ready, an appointment at a traditional bank usually takes one to two hours, and the debit card arrives by post or at the branch within one to two weeks. App accounts can be opened in minutes.
Do I need residency to open a bank account in Italy?
No. Non-residents can open a non-resident account (conto non residenti), although it may come without a credit card or loan options. Residents have access to all of a bank’s accounts.
Can I open a bank account in Italy without a codice fiscale?
Italian banks require a codice fiscale for every account. Foreign app providers such as Wise and Revolut can open an account without one, but you will need a codice fiscale for most other things in Italy.
How do I close an Italian bank account?
Send the bank a signed request to close the account, often by registered letter (raccomandata) or in branch, and return any cards. Under Italian rules, closing a current account cannot be charged for, though the bank may take a few weeks to settle final costs.
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.