In addition to a visa if you are not an EU citizen, one of the things you need for life in Italy is a codice fiscale. A codice fiscale is an Italian fiscal code that serves as a unique identifier, similar to America’s social security number. The code is generated using your name, date of birth and place of birth. You can find the formula used here.
You will find that you need a codice fiscale to do lots of things in Italy: rent an apartment, open a bank account, get internet set up at home… hell, you even need one for a gym membership.
The easiest thing to do, is to request a codice fiscale at your Italian consulate/embassy at the same time you apply for your visa. Getting a codice fiscale at the Los Angeles Italian Consulate was the single easiest thing I ever did there. I showed up without an appointment and was handed a stamped document with my very own fiscal code in under 10 minutes. This service is available at Italian consulates in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
If you arrive in Italy without a codice fiscale, you can apply for one at the nearest Agenzia della Entrata.
Since the code is based on your name, place of birth and date of birth, in a pinch you can also use online generators to estimate what your codice fiscale should be. A few examples of these websites can be found here and here.
Finally, a codice fiscale is completely free.
In the grand scheme of things, getting this code is one of the simpler bureaucratic hassles that Italy has ready and waiting for you and you should not pay someone to obtain your codice fiscale. Just make sure to bring a valid passport with you, as well as your permesso di soggiorno should you need to apply within Italy.
Applying for a Codice Fiscale for a Newborn Baby
If you give birth in Italy, your child will need a codice fiscale in order to access any government services. You can go directly to the Agenzia della Entrata with no appointment. You will be given a form to fill out and then a number to wait to be called.
Simply be sure to bring a copy of the hospital birth certificate (you do not need the official one from the city hall), and a copy of each parent’s passport. Only one parent needs to be present to apply for the codice fiscale and you do not need to bring the newborn baby with you.
Oh my God, don’t even start talking to me about codici fiscali! I had to go get one with my boss before they paid me for the first time but as I was living with my boyfriend and thus had no contract of accommodation, they refused to give me one. Then they suggested signing me up as living in the office (as my boss was present they said this was ok) and that I could change it at the comune with my boyfriend in tow to confirm I lived there. The comune said this was not possible – but hey, at least I had a tax code! It’s just that now I apparently live in a warehouse on an industrial estate in the middle of nowhere… before all of that, it was so hard to do anything! When they asked me for one at the swimming pool I nearly broke down haha xxx
La Lingua : Food, Life, Love, Travel, Friends, Italy
Does this apply to vacation apartment rentals?
Most likely not! Only when you are signing a registered lease. I imagine that holiday apartments function like hotel rooms, and you certainly don’t need one for hotels. I wouldn’t worry unless you are planning a long term, formal agreement.
I have a friend that lives in Italy
She want to come to US
The codice fiscale card like a green to travel here
Hi Lois – a codice fiscale is more like a social security number. It has nothing to do with a visa/green card. I am not an expert, but I think your friend has to go through normal US immigration procedures — there is no connection to a fiscal code.
I was asked for one when I was buying a phone at the TIM store, as a tourist mind you. The gentleman selling me the phone made one up on the spot to write down in the required space. Done. 🙂
Ah yes! There is a formula, but for more formal contracts – like rentals or bank accounts, it is useful to have the official document.
Hello Natalie,
How can one do that?
Thank you! Most useful information ever. (new Italian from South Africa.)
Fabulous! So glad this was helpful and welcome to Italy!
Hi, many universities, like Politecnico and Bocconi in Milan, example, have special agreement with Agenzia Entrate, and you will get your codice fiscale from school so ask for it before thinking too much about it!
Thank goodness I found this. I was looking at how to apply for a codice fiscale in Rome but have looked up our local Italian consulate and can apply there. Much easier and less time. THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!
It is much easier there!
Hi, Im happy to help out to apply for codice fiscale online.
I am happy to be here
Thank you. The second calculator works for me (I only need it to buy a prepaid SIM card for internet).
Please my baby was born in Germany during the lockdown and now am back to Italy how do I apply for my baby born out Italy