Italy · Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Quick answer
Italian banking includes large banks, cooperative banks and online banks. Opening an account usually needs a codice fiscale (tax code), ID and proof of address; non-residents can open dedicated accounts. The Bank of Italy supervises banks.
Italian bank-account opening depends on identity, tax code (codice fiscale), residence status and bank compliance checks. Business accounts normally require company-register documents and beneficial-owner information.
- Individuals commonly need valid ID/passport, codice fiscale and address/residence evidence requested by the bank.
- Company accounts usually require incorporation details, Chamber of Commerce records and information on directors or beneficial owners.
- Payment services and banks are supervised under the Italian and EU financial-services framework; verify fees and eligibility directly with the provider.
Step-by-step
- 1
Get your codice fiscale
The codice fiscale (tax code) — issued by the Agenzia delle Entrate or an Italian consulate — is free and needed for banking and most contracts.
- 2
Choose a bank
Pick a large bank, a cooperative bank or an online bank; non-residents can open a dedicated "conto corrente non residenti", which is more restrictive and covers basic operations.
- 3
Gather your documents
Have a valid ID or passport, your codice fiscale and proof of address or residence; many banks require an in-person visit.
- 4
Prepare business documents (business accounts)
For a business account, prepare the Chamber of Commerce records, incorporation details and beneficial-owner information.
- 5
Complete identity and compliance checks
Banks run know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering checks before opening the account.
- 6
Activate the account and set up SEPA payments
Receive your IBAN and card, then set up salary, rent, utility (bollettino) payments and SEPA direct debits (addebito diretto).
Checklist
- Codice fiscale (tax code)
- Valid ID or passport
- Proof of address or residence
- Chamber of Commerce records + beneficial-owner info — business accounts
- Initial deposit (if required by the bank)
Official authorities
- Banca d’Italia
Central bank and banking-supervision authority.
- Agenzia delle Entrate
Official tax agency, including tax-code and VAT information.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a codice fiscale to open an Italian account?
Yes — the codice fiscale (tax code) is needed for banking and most contracts; it is free to obtain.
Can non-residents open an account?
Yes — banks offer non-resident accounts (conto per non residenti) with more documentation.
Are online banks available?
Yes — several online and app-based banks operate in Italy with lighter requirements.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Italian Government — Official portal of the Italian Government
- Ministry of the Interior (residence) — Residence permits (permesso di soggiorno) and immigration
- Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) — Italian income tax, VAT, and tax code (codice fiscale)
- Visa for Italy (MAECI) — Visa requirements and applications from abroad