Taxes & Finances

The Codice Fiscale: What It Is and How to Get One

The codice fiscale is Italy's tax identification number, and you'll need it for almost everything: buying property, opening a bank account, signing a phone contract, existing. The good news is it's free and relatively easy to get. The less good news is "easy" in Italian bureaucracy is still a process. Here's how to get yours, from Italy or from abroad.

What Is It

The codice fiscale is Italy's tax identification number,a unique 16-character alphanumeric code assigned to every person who interacts with Italian institutions. Think of it as Italy's equivalent of a Social Security Number or National Insurance Number.

The code is derived from your personal details (name, date of birth, place of birth, gender) using a specific algorithm. This means your codice fiscale is deterministic,it's always the same for the same person.

Example Codice Fiscale

RSSMRA85M01H501Z

This code encodes: surname, first name, birth year, birth month, birth day + gender, and birthplace municipality code, with a check character at the end.

Why You Need It

You need a codice fiscale for almost everything in Italy:

Buying property: Required for the purchase contract
Opening a bank account: No codice fiscale, no account
Signing contracts: Rental agreements, utility contracts, phone contracts
Registering residency: At the comune
Healthcare: SSN enrollment and medical services
Employment: Any work in Italy
Tax filings: Obviously

Get your codice fiscale before you do anything else in Italy. Without it, you'll be stuck at the first bureaucratic hurdle.

Getting One in Italy

If you're in Italy, you can get a codice fiscale from any Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency) office.

What You Need

Valid passport (original)
Completed application form (available at the office or online)

The Process

Find Your Local Office

Search "Agenzia delle Entrate" plus your location.

Check If Appointment Needed

Some offices accept walk-ins; others require appointments.

Present Passport and Form

Staff will verify your details and generate the code.

Receive Certificate

You'll get a paper certificate immediately. The plastic card is mailed later.

The process is usually quick,15 to 30 minutes if there's no queue. The paper certificate is valid proof of your codice fiscale; you don't need to wait for the plastic card.

Getting One Abroad

You can obtain a codice fiscale before arriving in Italy through the Italian consulate in your country.

Through the Consulate

Contact your nearest Italian consulate
Book an appointment (usually required)
Bring passport and any requested forms
Processing time varies,can be days to weeks

Through Your Lawyer or Notary

If you're buying property, your Italian lawyer or notary can often arrange your codice fiscale as part of the purchase process. They submit the application on your behalf with a power of attorney.

Online Calculators

You can find online tools that calculate what your codice fiscale would be based on your details. These are useful for understanding the format, but they don't officially register your code with the Italian system. You still need to apply through official channels.

The Code Format

The 16-character codice fiscale encodes your personal information:

Code Structure

Characters 1-3Surname consonants
Characters 4-6First name consonants
Characters 7-8Birth year (last two digits)
Character 9Birth month (letter code)
Characters 10-11Birth day + gender indicator
Characters 12-15Birthplace code (municipality or country)
Character 16Check character

For foreigners, the birthplace code is a country code (e.g., Z114 for UK, Z404 for USA). The day number adds 40 for women (so 01 = male born on the 1st, 41 = female born on the 1st).

Common Questions

Is it free?

Yes. The codice fiscale is issued free of charge at the Agenzia delle Entrate. Consulates may charge small administrative fees.

Do I need residency to get one?

No. Anyone can get a codice fiscale regardless of residency status. This is why you can get one before moving to Italy.

I lost my card. What do I do?

Your codice fiscale number is permanent,you don't need the card to use it. But if you want a replacement card, visit any Agenzia delle Entrate office with your passport.

Can I have multiple codici fiscali?

You should only have one. If duplicates are created (sometimes happens with name variations), they should be merged. Having multiple can cause problems.

My name changed (marriage, etc.). What now?

Italy typically keeps your original codice fiscale even if your name changes. You may need to update records to link your new name to the existing code.

The Bottom Line

The codice fiscale is your key to Italian bureaucracy. Get it before you need it,ideally before you arrive in Italy, or as your first task after arrival. The process is free and relatively simple. Once you have it, keep the number safe; you'll use it constantly.

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