Setting up a Bank Account in Italy

Understand the requirements of opening a personal bank account in Italy…

Setting up a bank account in Italy – Bank accounts can be opened in Italy by both residents and non-residents from 18 years of age.

Non-residents are entitled to a non-resident account (conto estero) only. Only foreign currency or imported euros may be paid into this account.

Foreigners working in Italy may open an account in order to pay in a salary and have a credit or debit card.

The following papers are necessary:

  • Passport
  • Tax number (Codice Fiscale)
  • Recent utility bill (as proof of address)
  • Residence card or proof of employment in Italy

It is not necessary to make an appointment to open a current account. Opening an account can be done in a day and methods of making payments (cash cards and cheque books) will usually arrive within two to three weeks of the account being opened.

Information on the main banks and post office accounts available in Italy…

  • BNL-BNP Paribas
  • Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara
  • Gruppo Banca Carige
  • Banca di Roma
  • San Paolo Banca di Napoli
  • Credito Siciliano
  • Poste Italiane
  • Banca Intesa (multi-lingual information centre can provide information on products and services in English)
  • Monte dei Paschi di Siena (the oldest bank in the world)
  • UniCredit Banca

Post office accounts

Post offices also offer banking services and savings and current accounts. Non-residents may not open a post office account. Any resident over the age of 18 may open a post office account.

To open a post office account, the following papers are necessary:

  • Passport
  • Tax number (Codice Fiscale)
  • Recent utility bill
  • Residence card (Carta di Soggiorno)

Having an account at the post office presents a number of advantages. The post offices are open for longer hours and bills are debited free unlike in normal banks. Often postal account costs are lower.