Opening a Bank Account in Italy

Who this is for

Key tradeoffs

Important considerations that affect most people in this situation.

Common requirements

These documents come up consistently across Italian banks. Having everything prepared prevents multiple branch visits.

• Valid passport — bring the original and copies. EU citizens can use national ID cards. Some banks request both passport and ID if you have them
• Codice fiscale — the Italian tax identification code. Non-negotiable for all banking. The physical card or the number itself works
• Proof of address — for residents, a utility bill, rental contract, or dichiarazione di ospitalità from your host. Non-residents need proof of address in their home country
• Proof of residency status — if you have Italian residency (certificato di residenza), bring it. If not, be clear you're opening a non-resident account
• Proof of income or employment — many banks request this, especially for accounts with overdraft or credit facilities. Employment contract, pay stubs, or tax returns
• Italian phone number — required for 2FA and notifications. Getting a prepaid SIM (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre) is straightforward

Types of banks commonly used

The practical choice depends on what you need: full Italian banking services or quick access to an account with Italian IBAN.

• Major traditional banks (UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, BNL) — extensive branch networks, full services including mortgages and loans, credibility with landlords. Monthly fees typically €3-12/month. English-speaking staff available in major cities but not guaranteed
• Regional banks (Banca MPS, Banco BPM, BPER) — similar services to major banks, sometimes more flexible. Strong presence in specific regions. Fees comparable to major banks
• Italian digital banks (Fineco, Hype, Widiba) — streamlined online opening, lower or no monthly fees, limited branch access. Fineco is popular with expats for its English interface and investment services
• International digital banks (N26, Revolut, Wise) — fastest to set up, often no codice fiscale required for basic accounts. N26 provides German IBAN; Wise and Revolut don't provide Italian IBAN. May not satisfy requirements for rent, salary, or visa purposes

Typical process

Once you have your codice fiscale and documents, opening an account is achievable in one visit—though Italian banking culture favors patience.

• Book an appointment if possible. Walk-ins work at many branches, but appointments reduce wait times. Major city branches are busier
• Bring all documents to your appointment. Missing paperwork typically means returning another day. Italian banks are particular about documentation
• Expect the process to take 45-90 minutes. There's paperwork to sign, identity verification, and system setup. Don't schedule appointments back-to-back
• Account agreements are in Italian. You can request time to review, but official English translations aren't standard. Consider having a translator or trusted friend present for complex accounts
• Online access (home banking) is typically activated within 24-48 hours. You'll receive login credentials separately from your card
• Physical debit card (Bancomat) arrives by mail within 1-2 weeks. Some banks offer temporary cards or immediate digital card access
• For digital banks, the process is often fully online: upload documents, video verification call, account active within 1-5 business days

Where people get stuck

These friction points come up repeatedly. Anticipating them makes the process smoother.

• No codice fiscale — banks won't proceed without it. The Agenzia delle Entrate offices in major cities can issue one quickly if you have proper ID
• Language barriers — staff in smaller branches or outside major cities may have limited English. Milan, Rome, and Florence branches in central areas are more likely to have English-speaking staff
• Branch discretion — Italian banks give significant discretion to individual branches and officers. If one branch is difficult, another branch of the same bank might be more accommodating
• Non-resident complications — some branches are less familiar with non-resident account procedures. Larger branches in expat-heavy areas (central Milan, Rome) handle more foreigner accounts
• Address proof difficulties — if you don't have an Italian address yet, you'll need to open a non-resident account. A dichiarazione di ospitalità from someone hosting you can work temporarily
• Monthly fees and conditions — Italian banks typically charge monthly fees (€3-12) but waive them with conditions like direct salary deposits or minimum balances. Understand fee structures before committing

Using international digital banks

International banks serve as useful complements or alternatives to traditional Italian accounts, especially during the transition period.

• Wise — multi-currency accounts with competitive exchange rates. Provides Belgian IBAN for Euro accounts, not Italian. Works for many purposes but may not satisfy Italian-specific requirements
• Revolut — similar multi-currency functionality. Lithuanian IBAN for Euro accounts. Good for daily spending, international transfers, and travel
• N26 — German bank with German IBAN. Full EU banking license means deposit protection. Some landlords and employers accept any EU IBAN; others specifically require Italian
• Fineco — Italian bank with digital-first approach. Provides Italian IBAN, offers investment services, competitive fees. Requires codice fiscale but process is more streamlined than traditional banks
• Practical approach — many expats maintain both: an Italian bank for local requirements (rent, salary, utilities, official purposes) and a digital bank for everyday spending and international transfers

Regional differences

Banking experience varies across Italy. Location affects your options and the process.

• Milan — financial center, most banks have experience with foreign clients. Higher likelihood of English-speaking staff. Fineco headquarters are here
• Rome — major city with good banking infrastructure, though bureaucracy can be slower. Large expat community means banks are familiar with foreigner accounts
• Florence and tourist cities — banks accustomed to foreign clients but may push tourist-oriented products. Be clear about your residency intentions
• Smaller cities and south — more variable experience with foreign account holders. May require more patience and documentation. Local regional banks may be more flexible than national chains
• University cities (Bologna, Padua, Turin) — banks familiar with international students, which can help even non-student expats

Next steps

Continue your research with these related guides.