Codice Fiscale

Every country assigns its residents a number by which it can unequivocally identify them. In the USA it is the social security number. In Italy it is the "codice fiscale" or fiscal identification code

As a resident in Italy you will absolutely need this - not just for tax purposes, but for just about anything - if you want to join the local VCR video rental shop, you want to open a bank account, set up a phone line or internet access, register for a course, ANYTHING. So you would do well to
get it as soon as possible.

There is a predefined method for determining your codice fiscale. The formula is widely known, and there are many sites, such as the one from the internet site of the Italian comuni, where you can input some basic data and the computer will calculate the codice fiscale for you. Although it's been correct every time so far, this formation is only indicative - there is no 100% guarantee that for you it won't be different. The data to input is:

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    • Cognome = Last Name
    • Nome = First and Middle Names
    • Sesso = Gender
    • Comune di Nascita = Town of Birth (if you are a foreigner, insert country of birth: Stati Uniti; inghilterra, etc...)
    • Provincia = Province (use only if in Italy)
    • Data Nascita = Birth Date (Day-Month-Year)

To get the codice fiscale you will need to go to your local Agenzia delle Entrate. You can find your local office by clicking your region here http://www.agenziaentrate.it/indirizzi/agenzia/uffici_locali/index.htm

The documentation that you will need is:

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  • Identification (passport)
  • Permit to Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno)

If you are purchasing a house in Italy, many times the real estate agent will be able to get you a codice fiscale without a permesso di soggiorno but you will need to show your passport.

You may be able to get a codice fiscale from your home country Italian consulate as well, with this only a passport is needed.

Also, there are many codice fiscale calculators on the web.  Basically, you enter the needed information and it gives you your code.  This is fine if for example you need to buy a cell phone for a vacation but it is not a valid registered code (even if it is exactly the same code as the real one) and cannot be used to buy a house, set up a bank account, sign up with the health department or set up utilities.

The Ufficio delle Entrate site has information here HERE It says for a foreigner a passport or permesso di soggiorno is needed but I have been asked when helping others to get their codice to present both not just one. Honestly, it doesn't make much sense that you have to have both since you only need your passport if doing it from outside of Italy but they want an address and by having a PdiS you show that you have an address in Italy.