How to obtain the Codice Fiscale – Fiscal Code

The codice fiscale – fiscal code – is an alphanumeric code based on your name, place of birth and date of birth, and identifies you.
It lasts forever. It’s essential to have one as you need it to rent or buy a property, to open a bank account, to buy a sim card, and for a number of other things, hence you may need one even before moving to Italy or even if you will never move to Italy.
Having a codice fiscale doesn’t mean that you have the right to reside in Italy, nor that you are bound to pay tax in Italy.

You can obtain a codice fiscale by applying at your local Italian consulate or embassy, or, if you are in Italy, at any Agenzia delle Entrate office, filling in a form and submitting your passport.
Also, delegates can obtain a codice fiscale for you.

However, Agenzia delle Entrate offices are becoming stricter and stricter to issue fiscal codes. When fiscal codes are requested by non-resident people who buy holiday homes in Italy, Agenzia delle Entrate offices require more and more often a declaration by the notary involved in the purchase. When the code is requested by people not yet resident in Italy who rent a property in Italy, you may be requested to submit the signed rental contract.
Unfortunately, it’s becoming more complicated to obtain a codice fiscale since more documents are requested to apply and applications are more in-depth scrutinised.

This article is not exhaustive and is a guidance only.

If you need assistance with your move to Italy, do please get in touch for a consultation.

Barbara De Benedittis Relocation and Legal in Italy