Opening a Bank Account in Italy

Step-by-Step

1. 1

   Choose Your Bank

   1. 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.
   2. Without SPID, video-recognition identification is available at UniCredit and Fineco; Intesa Sanpaolo also offers in-branch apertura.
   3. 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.

   Banca d'Italia — Albo intermediari supervisionati (bancaditalia.it ↗) Intesa Sanpaolo — Persone e Famiglie (intesasanpaolo.com ↗) UniCredit — Conto Corrente Genius (unicredit.it ↗) Fineco — Apri il conto online (finecobank.com ↗)
2. 2

   Gather Required Documents

   1. Codice fiscale (certificato or Tessera Sanitaria).
   2. Documento d'identità in corso di validità — passport for non-EU, carta d'identità or passport for EU.
   3. Non-EU: permesso di soggiorno valido or the ricevuta del kit postale.
   4. Proof of Italian address — residenza anagrafica certificate, contratto di locazione registrato, or recent utility bolletta intestata.
   5. 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. 3

   Open the Conto Online (Digital-First Route)

   1. 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).
   2. Identify via SPID (fastest) or video-recognition with documento d'identità.
   3. Provide codice fiscale, dati anagrafici, indirizzo, cellulare, and email.
   4. Sign the contract via firma elettronica — SMS-OTP or SPID.
   5. 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. 4

   Open the Conto in Branch (In-Person Route)

   1. Prenota un appuntamento at the chosen filiale via the bank's online booking system or telephone.
   2. Present documents in originale at the appointment.
   3. Sign contractual moduli at the desk; provide a campione di firma.
   4. 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. 5

   Receive Carta di Debito and Activate Online Banking

   1. The carta di debito is mailed to your indirizzo within approximately 5-10 working days.
   2. On arrival, activate the carta via the bank's app or via ATM with PIN (the PIN typically arrives in a separate mailing).
   3. Install the bank's app, register your cellulare, and link your conto for online operations: bonifici SEPA, Cbill payments, prelievi ATM, gestione carte.
   4. 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. 6

   Set Up Stipendio Accredito (If Employed)

   1. Provide your new IBAN to your datore di lavoro (employer) for stipendio accredito.
   2. For UniCredit Conto Genius, the EUR 1,90 monthly canone is azzerabile when stipendio or pensione is accreditato to the conto.
   3. 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.