How to Open a Bank Account in Italy as a Foreigner (2026)

Opening a bank account in Italy is famously slow but doable. The two prerequisites are a Codice Fiscale (Italian tax number) and proof of an Italian address. Italian banks are generally more bureaucratic than their German or Spanish counterparts, but English-language support has improved significantly in major cities. This 2026 guide explains what you actually need, which banks work best for foreigners, and the fintechs that bridge the gap.

Required documents

1. Passport (original, plus visa or permesso di soggiorno if non-EU)
2. Codice Fiscale — Italian tax identification number
3. Proof of address in Italy (rental contract, utility bill, or residenza certificate)
4. Proof of income (employment contract, payslips, pension statement)
5. Optional: residenza certificate (residency registration with comune) — required by some banks
6. Initial deposit of €100–500

Step 1: Get your Codice Fiscale

The Codice Fiscale is free and required by every Italian institution. You can get it:

• At any Agenzia delle Entrate office in Italy (same day, with passport)
• At an Italian consulate in your home country (1–4 weeks)
• Through a commercialista (Italian accountant) for ~€50–100 if you cannot go in person

EU citizens can get a Codice Fiscale with just a passport. Non-EU citizens may also need a visa or permesso di soggiorno.

Step 2: Choose the right bank

UniCredit

Major bank, foreigner-friendly with English support in major branches.

• Monthly fee: €5–10/month
• English support: Yes in major cities
• Best for: All-around expat option

Intesa Sanpaolo

Italy’s largest bank. Branch-by-branch foreigner-friendliness.

• Monthly fee: €4–10/month
• English support: Variable
• Best for: Those wanting a branch relationship

Webank (Banco BPM online)

Online-only, no monthly fees, faster than traditional Italian banks.

• Monthly fee: Free
• English support: Limited
• Best for: Tech-comfortable expats

Fineco

Online-focused, popular with expats and investors.

• Monthly fee: Free with conditions
• English support: Yes
• Best for: Investors and freelancers

N26

EU-based online bank. Italian-format IBAN accepted everywhere.

• Monthly fee: Free standard tier
• Best for: Quick setup before traditional bank

Step 3: Use Wise immediately

Wise gives you an immediate EUR account with Italian-compatible IBAN. Setup takes 10 minutes online.

Common mistakes

Trying to open without Codice Fiscale

Banks will refuse without it. Get this first.

Showing up without translated documents

Some banks require sworn translations (traduzione giurata) of foreign documents. Costs €30–60 per document.

Underestimating the time

Italian bank account opening typically takes 2–4 weeks from first appointment to fully active account. Compared to Germany (1–2 weeks) or Spain (1–2 weeks), this is slower.

Costs to expect

Item	Typical Cost
Account opening	Free
Monthly maintenance	Free–€10/month
Bancomat (debit card)	Free or €15–25/year
Outgoing SEPA	Free
International wire	€15–30
Bollo (stamp duty)	€34.20/year (mandatory on Italian bank accounts)

The bollo is a unique Italian tax — €34.20/year automatically deducted on bank accounts holding more than €5,000.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open an account from abroad?

Some banks (Webank, Fineco) allow online application from EU residents with Codice Fiscale. Most traditional banks require an in-person visit.

Do I need a residenza certificate?

Some banks require it (residency registration with the comune). Webank, Fineco, and N26 typically do not require residenza for basic accounts.

How long does it take?

With Codice Fiscale and all documents ready: 2–4 weeks for traditional banks, 1–2 weeks for online options.

Is the bollo really mandatory?

Yes — the €34.20/year stamp duty applies to all Italian bank accounts above €5,000. It is set by Italian tax law, not the bank.

Next steps

1. Get your Codice Fiscale — free, fast.
2. Set up Wise for immediate banking.
3. Apply at Webank or Fineco online for a faster Italian IBAN.
4. Add UniCredit or Intesa later if you need branch services.

For more on Italy, see our Italy country guide, Moving to Italy, and the cross-country bank account guide.