The codice fiscale is tax code that many foreigners may have to obtain to open a bank account, pay utilities, have a job, sign a lease, sign up for Italian healthcare, and even to buy some things online. This tax code is the equivalent of the American Social Security Number (SSN). While Italians receive their codice fiscale at birth, foreigners will need to visit the Agenzia Delle Entrate to get one. Like most bureaucratic tasks in Italy, the process of getting your tax code is not always easy. In this article I will walk you through the steps for how to get your codice fiscale.
There may be more than one Agenzia Delle Entrate in your city so find the agency closest to you. The one in Bologna is outside of the city center and it took me about one hour to walk there (I hate taking the bus).
Materials
Make sure you bring the following items with you to the Agenzie Delle Entrate:
- Passport
- Photocopies of your passport’s main page and visa page
- A copy or original receipt of your permesso di soggiorno that you received from the poste italiane or your actual permesso di soggiorno if you have it
Every agency in Italy seems to operate using different rules. I was told by some Italians that the agency would not be able to issue me a codice fiscale without my actual permesso di soggiorno. However, there were able to issue me one with only my receipt. Some agencies seem to require a permesso di soggiorno or a copy of your visa, while other agencies may require both. The problem with the latter requirement is that it can take months to get your permesso di soggiorno card so this is not always feasible if you need a codice fiscale to get a paycheck from your place of work.
The Protocol
Once you have your materials together, here is the protocol for the Agenzie Delle Entrate:
Step 1 – This is the universal step for Italian government agencies: grab a ticket. In Bologna, there was a staffed front desk where the official gave you a ticket and the paperwork you requested. However, in other cities there might be a machine inside the door where you need to take a ticket from.
Step 2 – Fill out the codice fiscale form you were given. Depending on your reason for getting a tax code, you may be required to fill out different parts of the form. If you are getting one for work then you will need to fill out sections A, B, C, and D. The Agenzia Delle Entrate actually published a guide, in English, on how to fill out the form. You can find it here.
Section A – Circle “D” if you are filling out the form for yourself or “T” if you are filling it out for a third party. Where it says “Codice Tipologia Richiedente” you put “01” if you are a non-resident student, “02” if you are a non-resident worker, “03” if you are temporarily living in Italy, and “04” if you are applying for another reason. If you are filling out the form for a third party, there is a different list of codes you need to chose from. These are listed on the link I posted in the paragraph above to the Agenzia Delle Entrate‘s website.
- Section II – Circle “A” if you are applying for a tax code, which is what I am assuming you need to do.
- Section B – Fill out your name, sex, place of birth, province, and birthdate. If you were born outside of Italy, put “EE” in the province box.
- Section C – Fill in your address in Italy.
- Section D – Fill in your address in your home country.
- Sign and date at the bottom, but wait until you are in front of the official to do this. Remember, in Italy you always write the day first and then the month.
Step 3 – Make sure you are listening to the numbers being called over the loudspeaker while you are filling out your form. There should be a screen as well that shows which numbers they are serving so you can get an idea of when it will be your turn.
Step 4 – Present your documents to the official and receive your codice fiscale just minutes later!
Disclaimer: This post does not constitute legal advice. The materials on this website have been prepared by Expat Alexa and are intended to communicate general information only. Please contact a lawyer for legal advice.
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