What pagoPA is used for
Most payments to Italian public bodies go through pagoPA: traffic fines, the waste tax (TARI), school canteen and university fees, health co-payments (ticket sanitario), car tax (bollo auto) in many regions, and fees for documents such as identity cards. The platform is run by PagoPA S.p.A., a state-owned company.
How to read a pagoPA notice
A pagoPA notice (avviso di pagamento) is a one or two-page document with the pagoPA logo. The details you need are:
| Field | What it is |
|---|---|
| Codice avviso | The 18-digit notice code that identifies this payment |
| Codice fiscale ente creditore | The tax code of the public body you are paying |
| Importo | The amount, sometimes with a reduced amount for early payment |
| Data di scadenza | The due date |
| QR code / data matrix | Scan it in a banking or payment app to fill in the details |
Ways to pay
- Banking app: most Italian bank apps have a “pagoPA” or “CBILL/pagoPA” option. Scan the QR code or type the two codes.
- IO app: if you have SPID or a CIE electronic identity card, notices may arrive directly in the app.
- Online checkout: use the pagoPA checkout on the public body’s website and pay by card, including foreign cards.
- In person: pay in cash or by card at a post office, a tobacconist with a payment terminal, or some supermarket tills.
Keep the receipt (ricevuta) until the matter is closed. For fines, paying within five days often gives a 30% discount, as stated on the notice.
Paying without an Italian account
You do not need an Italian bank to pay pagoPA. A foreign card at the online checkout or cash at a post office both work. If you will be paying Italian bills regularly, an Italian account or Postepay Evolution card makes it simpler.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay a pagoPA notice with a foreign card?
Yes. The pagoPA online checkout and the IO app accept international Visa and Mastercard cards. Fees are set by the payment provider you choose and are shown before you pay.
Where can I pay pagoPA in cash?
Post offices, many tobacconists (tabaccherie) and newsagents with Mooney or Lottomatica terminals, and some supermarkets accept pagoPA notices in cash. Bring the paper notice or the QR code on your phone.
What is the IO app?
IO is the Italian public services app. Once you log in with a digital identity (SPID or CIE), you receive pagoPA notices from many public bodies in the app and can pay them by card or bank account.
Is there a fee for paying with pagoPA?
The public body does not charge a fee, but the payment provider usually adds a small commission, often between €1 and €2.50. Each channel shows its commission before you confirm.
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.