--- title: Opening a Bank Account in Italy country: italy service: "bank-account" category: finance difficulty: moderate estimated_time: "Online apertura with SPID: same day to 1-2 working days; in-branch: 30-60 minutes plus 1-2 days for IBAN activation" cost_range: "EUR 0-30 per month" last_verified: 2026-05-11 canonical: https://publicservices.guide/italy/bank-account/ status: current confidence: low tags: - "first-month" - finance - banking - "conti-correnti" sources: - https://www.bancaditalia.it/compiti/vigilanza/intermediari/index.html - https://www.intesasanpaolo.com/it/persone-e-famiglie.html - https://www.unicredit.it/it/privati/conti/tutti-i-prodotti/conti-correnti/genius.html - https://finecobank.com/it/online/ - https://www.spid.gov.it/ --- # Opening a Bank Account in Italy **Country:** 🇮🇹 Italy **Last verified:** 2026-05-11 **Estimated time:** Online apertura with SPID: same day to 1-2 working days; in-branch: 30-60 minutes plus 1-2 days for IBAN activation **Cost:** EUR 0-30 per month ## Required documents - **Codice fiscale** *(codice fiscale)* - Where to get: Agenzia delle Entrate ufficio territoriale, Italian consulate, or Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione (see codice fiscale guide) - Required: Certificato di attribuzione, Tessera Sanitaria, or tesserino del codice fiscale - _Note:_ Universally required by Italian banks for non-resident and resident customers alike. Without it, conto opening cannot proceed. - **Documento d'identità** *(documento d'identità)* - Where to get: Country of citizenship (passaporto), or comune di residenza in Italy (carta d'identità) - Required: In corso di validità — original plus a photocopy - _Note:_ Passport for non-EU citizens; carta d'identità or passport for EU citizens. Some online apertura flows accept SPID in place of the documento d'identità scan. - **Permesso di soggiorno or ricevuta kit postale** *(permesso di soggiorno or ricevuta del kit postale)* - Where to get: Questura (permesso card) or Ufficio Postale Sportello Amico (ricevuta when permesso is in itinere) - Required: Original — for non-EU citizens - _Note:_ Italian banks generally accept the ricevuta from the kit postale as a stand-in while your permesso card is being processed. See the permesso di soggiorno guide for that procedure. - **Proof of Italian address** *(indirizzo di residenza o domicilio)* - Where to get: Comune anagrafe (residenza certificate), utility provider (bolletta), or landlord (contratto di locazione registrato) - Required: One of: residenza anagrafica, registered rental contract, or recent utility bill intestata - _Note:_ Some banks accept a self-declared domicilio dichiarato with supporting evidence (rental contract, utility bill) while residenza anagrafica is in progress. ## Costs - **Account opening:** 0 EUR — Italian banks do not charge an account-opening fee at conto corrente apertura. The customer relationship begins free. - **Monthly canone — UniCredit Conto Genius:** 1.9 EUR — Per UniCredit Conto Genius product page: canone a 1,90 EUR al mese, che può essere azzerato se accrediti lo stipendio o la pensione. The product includes a carta di debito internazionale MyOne (Mastercard or Visa, physical or digital) at zero annual canone and the Banca Multicanale online/mobile/telephone service also at zero canone. - **Monthly canone — Fineco One:** 0 EUR — Per Fineco product page: Fineco One is Gratis, senza vincoli di patrimonio. The smart entry tier covers everyday banking needs. - **Monthly canone — Fineco Classic:** 3.95 EUR — Per Fineco product page: 3,95 EUR al mese, azzerabile con 50.000 EUR di patrimonio. Includes carta di debito virtuale gratis, carta debito fisica 5,95 EUR per year, free bonifici Italia and Cbill. - **Monthly canone — Fineco Max:** 29.95 EUR — Per Fineco product page: 29,95 EUR al mese, azzerabile con 500.000 EUR di patrimonio. Premium all-inclusive: carta debito fisica, carta credito and Gold all gratis, free bonifici, versamenti ATM gratis. - **Imposta di bollo annuale:** 34.2 EUR — Per Fineco product page: resta dovuta l'imposta di bollo, applicata secondo la normativa vigente, in caso di giacenza media annuale superiore a 5.000 EUR. Rate of 34,20 EUR per persone fisiche set by DPR 642/1972 as updated annually; the rate may evolve with each Legge di bilancio — verify the current-year figure with your bank or via fiscal-law sources. ## Steps ### 1. Choose Your Bank - Compare the three representative options against your needs: Intesa Sanpaolo for an extensive filiale network and the XME Conto Silver/Gold/Platinum tier choice; UniCredit Conto Genius for a balanced retail conto with EUR 1,90/mese canone azzerabile with stipendio accredito; Fineco for a digital-first experience across Fineco One (Gratis), Classic, and Max tiers. - Without SPID, video-recognition identification is available at UniCredit and Fineco; Intesa Sanpaolo also offers in-branch apertura. - Consider language: most Italian banks' apertura flows are in Italian, with some Intesa, UniCredit and Fineco materials available in English. Branch staff English fluency varies. > **Tip:** Fineco operates app-first with no filiale network. UniCredit Conto Genius is sold both online and in branch. Intesa Sanpaolo's filiale network supports in-person cash deposits and document signing. _Links:_ - [Banca d'Italia — Albo intermediari supervisionati](https://www.bancaditalia.it/compiti/vigilanza/intermediari/index.html) - [Intesa Sanpaolo — Persone e Famiglie](https://www.intesasanpaolo.com/it/persone-e-famiglie.html) - [UniCredit — Conto Corrente Genius](https://www.unicredit.it/it/privati/conti/tutti-i-prodotti/conti-correnti/genius.html) - [Fineco — Apri il conto online](https://finecobank.com/it/online/) ### 2. Gather Required Documents - Codice fiscale (certificato or Tessera Sanitaria). - Documento d'identità in corso di validità — passport for non-EU, carta d'identità or passport for EU. - Non-EU: permesso di soggiorno valido or the ricevuta del kit postale. - Proof of Italian address — residenza anagrafica certificate, contratto di locazione registrato, or recent utility bolletta intestata. - For online apertura: SPID credentials, OR have webcam/fotocamera plus passport ready for video-recognition. > **Tip:** Anti-riciclaggio rules require banks to verify both your identity and the legitimacy of your funds. For salaried opening of a starter conto, basic documents typically suffice; high-value initial deposits require additional supporting documentation. ### 3. Open the Conto Online (Digital-First Route) - Go to the bank's product page and click the apertura link (UniCredit: Aprilo Online; Fineco: APRI IL CONTO; Intesa: Confronta i conti, then product-specific apertura). - Identify via SPID (fastest) or video-recognition with documento d'identità. - Provide codice fiscale, dati anagrafici, indirizzo, cellulare, and email. - Sign the contract via firma elettronica — SMS-OTP or SPID. - Wait for IBAN confirmation by email — typically immediate or within 1-2 working days. > **Tip:** Online apertura keeps the workflow contactless. If the recognition step fails (lighting, document scan quality), the bank typically retries or routes you to in-branch fallback rather than refusing. ### 4. Open the Conto in Branch (In-Person Route) - Prenota un appuntamento at the chosen filiale via the bank's online booking system or telephone. - Present documents in originale at the appointment. - Sign contractual moduli at the desk; provide a campione di firma. - Receive IBAN at the appointment or by email within 1-2 working days. > **Tip:** In-branch apertura is the reliable fallback when online flows have edge cases (non-EU passport, unusual document type, anti-riciclaggio escalation, or simply prefer in-person service). ### 5. Receive Carta di Debito and Activate Online Banking - The carta di debito is mailed to your indirizzo within approximately 5-10 working days. - On arrival, activate the carta via the bank's app or via ATM with PIN (the PIN typically arrives in a separate mailing). - Install the bank's app, register your cellulare, and link your conto for online operations: bonifici SEPA, Cbill payments, prelievi ATM, gestione carte. - If you chose carta digitale (UniCredit MyOne digital variant), provision it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet via the bank app. > **Tip:** Italian banks generally support NFC contactless payments via the carta and Apple/Google Wallet integration on supported devices. Verify with your bank if you intend to rely on digital-only carta. ### 6. Set Up Stipendio Accredito (If Employed) - Provide your new IBAN to your datore di lavoro (employer) for stipendio accredito. - For UniCredit Conto Genius, the EUR 1,90 monthly canone is azzerabile when stipendio or pensione is accreditato to the conto. - Verify the first stipendio accredito on your app's transaction history. > **Tip:** Set up additional accrediti for recurring inflows (rimborsi spese, prestiti, freelance payments) under the same IBAN — they all count toward canone azzerabile conditions for banks that have such conditions. ## FAQ ### Which Italian bank should I choose as a new arrival? The three options span common profiles. Intesa Sanpaolo, with one of Italy's largest filiale networks, suits people who prefer in-person branch service — its current retail product family is XME Conto Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with per-tier services. UniCredit is a pan-European group; its flagship Conto Genius retail product carries a EUR 1,90 monthly canone azzerabile with stipendio or pensione accredito. Fineco is a digital-first challenger with three tiers (Fineco One Gratis, Classic EUR 3,95 azzerabile a 50.000 EUR, Max EUR 29,95 azzerabile a 500.000 EUR) plus a separate Fineco Trading conto. Compare canone, services included, filiale coverage, and app evolution against your needs. ### Can I open a conto corrente before I am resident in Italy? It depends on the bank. Many Italian banks offer a conto per non residenti with reduced KYC for foreign-nexus customers (e.g. those purchasing property). For full retail conto with Italian residenza features, banks typically accept the ricevuta del kit postale del permesso di soggiorno while the permesso is in itinere. Check with the specific bank for non-residenti options. ### Can I open the conto online without going to a branch? Yes — UniCredit Conto Genius and all three Fineco retail tiers support online apertura. Identification is via SPID, or video-recognition with documento d'identità via webcam. You need a working mobile number and email. Per UniCredit: per aprire online il conto avrai bisogno di documento d'identità (ad esempio patente, passaporto) o SPID, webcam o fotocamera per farti riconoscere, numero di cellulare e indirizzo email attivo. Intesa Sanpaolo is expanding online apertura — confirm with the bank. ### How quickly will I receive my IBAN and carta di debito? IBAN is typically active immediately after contract signing or within 1-2 working days. The carta di debito is mailed to your indirizzo within 5-10 working days. The carta digitale variant (where offered) is provisionable to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet shortly after issuance. ### Are deposits in Italian banks insured? Yes. Italian banks subject to Banca d'Italia vigilanza participate in the Fondo Interbancario di Tutela dei Depositi (FITD), the Italian deposit-guarantee scheme. FITD coverage is set at the EU-harmonised level under the Deposit Guarantee Schemes Directive — verify the current cap and scheme rules directly with your bank or on bancaditalia.it. ### What is the imposta di bollo? The imposta di bollo is an annual fiscal stamp duty applied by Italian fiscal law (DPR 642/1972 as updated) to any conto corrente where the giacenza media annuale exceeds EUR 5.000. The rate for persone fisiche is currently 34,20 EUR per year, charged by the bank on behalf of the State. It applies even to conti with a free canone (e.g. Fineco One). Verify the current rate with your bank or via the latest Legge di bilancio. ### Do all Italian banks let me carry out bonifici SEPA for free? Fineco offers free bonifici SEPA (including istantanei) across its retail conti, in Italia and all'estero. UniCredit Conto Genius charges by default but offers a Pacchetto Bonifici SEPA Online Illimitati add-on at 2,00 EUR/mese (3-year duration, cancellable any time). Intesa Sanpaolo terms vary by XME Conto tier — check the Confronto i conti tool. ## Local tips - Italian banking has three distinctive shapes: traditional retail (Intesa Sanpaolo, with one of Italy's largest filiale networks); pan-European group banking (UniCredit, headquartered in Milan); and digital-first challenger (Fineco, app-led, founded as UniCredit subsidiary, now independent since 2019). - The codice fiscale is the first non-negotiable requirement at every Italian bank — sort out that guide first if you have not yet. - Italy applies an imposta di bollo (annual fiscal stamp duty) to any conto corrente whose giacenza media annuale (annual average balance) exceeds EUR 5.000. The rate is set by national fiscal law and is paid even on conti with a free canone — factor it into your annual cost. ## Sources - [Banca d'Italia](https://www.bancaditalia.it/compiti/vigilanza/intermediari/index.html) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — Banca d'Italia esercita la vigilanza nei confronti degli intermediari: banche italiane, banche estere operative in Italia, gruppi bancari, intermediari finanziari ex art. 106 TUB, istituti di moneta elettronica, istituti di pagamento, OICR, SGR, SIM, agenti in attività finanziaria e mediatori creditizi. Banca d'Italia cura i relativi Albi ed Elenchi pubblici. - [Intesa Sanpaolo](https://www.intesasanpaolo.com/it/persone-e-famiglie.html) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T2_ — Intesa Sanpaolo's current retail product family is XME Conto, with three tiers: XME Conto Silver, XME Conto Gold, and XME Conto Platinum. Comparison tool: Confronta i conti. - [UniCredit S.p.A.](https://www.unicredit.it/it/privati/conti/tutti-i-prodotti/conti-correnti/genius.html) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T2_ — UniCredit Conto Corrente Genius: canone a 1,90 EUR al mese che può essere azzerato se accrediti lo stipendio o la pensione. Includes carta di debito internazionale MyOne (Mastercard or Visa, physical or digital) and Banca Multicanale at zero annual canone. Online apertura supported with SPID or webcam-based recognition. Required for apertura: documento d'identità o SPID, webcam o fotocamera, cellulare, email. Pacchetto Bonifici SEPA Online Illimitati add-on available at 2,00 EUR mensili, 3-year duration, cancellable any time. - [FinecoBank S.p.A.](https://finecobank.com/it/online/) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T2_ — Fineco offers three retail conti: Fineco One (Gratis, senza vincoli di patrimonio), Fineco Classic (3,95 EUR al mese, azzerabile con 50.000 EUR di patrimonio), Fineco Max (29,95 EUR al mese, azzerabile con 500.000 EUR di patrimonio), plus a separate Fineco Trading conto for trading-only customers. All conti offer bonifici SEPA gratis (including istantanei) in Italia and all'estero, prelievi gratis sopra 99 EUR in Italia su circuito Bancomat, and Cbill gratis. Resta dovuta l'imposta di bollo applicata secondo la normativa vigente in caso di giacenza media annuale superiore a 5.000 EUR. Fineco reported CET1 23,3% in 1Q26 results (citing the bank's solidity claim). - [SPID — Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale](https://www.spid.gov.it/) — accessed 2026-05-11 — _T1_ — SPID is the Italian digital identity system; SPID credentials are accepted by Italian banks for online conto apertura identity verification. --- Verification pending — see the canonical page for the latest trust state. Canonical: https://publicservices.guide/italy/bank-account/