Codice fiscale step by step

What the codice fiscale is

The codice fiscale is the Italian tax identification number — a 16-character alphanumeric code generated from your name, date of birth, and place of birth. Every Italian resident and many non-residents have one. It is free, issued by the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency), and required for almost any administrative, financial, or commercial transaction in Italy.

You need a codice fiscale to: open a bank account, sign a rental contract, sign a property purchase, open utility contracts, register at a comune, file taxes, register a vehicle, register with the SSN healthcare, sign almost any formal contract. It is the single most important document to have before arriving in Italy.

Apply before you fly out (recommended)

The Italian consular network in the UK issues codice fiscale to UK residents free of charge. Apply at the consulate covering your UK address: London (most of England and Wales), Edinburgh (Scotland), Manchester (north-west England, Northern Ireland), Birmingham (West Midlands), Bedford (smaller catchment).

The application is normally a paper form (Modello AA4/8) submitted in person or by post with a copy of your passport. The consulate processes the application and issues a paper certificate (certificato di attribuzione) within 1-2 weeks. You can then apply for the plastic tessera card after arrival in Italy.

Applying from the UK has two advantages: (1) you arrive in Italy already with the codice in hand and can immediately open utilities, sign rental contracts, etc.; (2) you avoid the post-arrival complication of having to attend an Agenzia delle Entrate office in person during the early-arrival paperwork rush.

Apply after arrival in Italy

If you arrive without one, apply at any Agenzia delle Entrate office in Italy. The Modello AA4/8 form is filled out in person; bring your passport and the form is processed on the spot. The certificate is issued the same day.

For non-EU citizens (which UK passport holders now are post-Brexit), some Agenzia offices request additional documentation — proof of valid stay (passport stamp, visa, kit di soggiorno receipt). The requirements vary by office; the central Rome and Milan offices are typically the most documentation-heavy.

Using the codice fiscale

The codice is used everywhere. Most Italian forms have a dedicated codice fiscale field; quote it whenever asked. The format is: 6 letters from your surname and first name; 2 digits for year of birth; 1 letter for month of birth; 2 digits for day of birth (with +40 added for women); 4 characters for place of birth (Italian comune code, or Z+nationality code for foreign-born); 1 check digit.

You can use the certificate (certificato di attribuzione) for paperwork purposes from day one. The plastic tessera (the credit-card-style version) is convenient but not strictly required. To get the tessera, request it at any Agenzia delle Entrate office after the codice is issued.