Bank account in Italy: not a formality, but the basis of life in the country
A bank account in Italy is a must for anyone who plans to live, study or invest in the country. In 2026, an account is required not only to receive a salary, but also to formalize a lease agreement, register at an address and apply for a residence permit. Many people mistakenly believe that it is impossible to open an account without a residence permit — this is a myth. Below is a step—by-step guide, without simplifications and with real conditions.
What types of bank accounts are available in 2025-2026
– Conto corrente — current account for daily operations: rent payments, utilities, transfers.
– Conto deposito is a savings account with an interest rate of up to 2.1% per annum, but with a withdrawal limit.
– Conto per non residenti — a special account for foreigners without residency, available at major banks.
– Conto online is a digital account with minimal fees, opened remotely in 24-72 hours.
Important: conto per non residenti does not entitle you to tax benefits, but it does allow you to legally manage assets in Italy.
→ Help in choosing a bank and opening an account — Italiatut
What documents are needed to open a bank account in Italy in 2026
– A foreign passport with a valid visa or an entry stamp.
– Codice fiscale — you can get it online or at Agenzia delle Entrate without personal presence.
→ Issue a Codice fiscale with the Italiatut team
– Confirmation of the address — lease agreement, temporary registration or a letter from the Italian guarantor.
– Confirmation of the source of funds — an extract from your home bank for the last 3 months.
Since November 2025, Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit banks have introduced mandatory video identity verification for non-residents.
The procedure takes 15 minutes and is performed in English or Italian.
How to avoid the most common mistakes when opening a bank account in Italy
1. Do not submit documents without a translation from traduttore giurato — even an extract requires a certified translation.
2. Do not ignore the request for dichiarazione sostitutiva, a declaration of the purpose of opening an account that must be completed in Italian.
3. Do not choose a bank based only on a low commission — check whether it supports SWIFT transfers to your country.
4. Do not skimp on support — errors in the primary data lead to the account being blocked for 30+ days.
How much does bank account in Italy maintenance cost in 2025-2026
– Annual tax imposta di bollo — € 34.20 for individuals.
– The commission for maintaining conto corrente is from 0 € (online banking) to 120 €/year (premium packages).
– Transfer to the EU (SEPA) is free at most banks.
– Cash withdrawal abroad — from 1.5% + 2 € fixed fee.
– Online banks (N26 Italia, Hype, and Infinity) offer zero fees with a monthly turnover of 500 € or more.
→ Opening an account with support — Italiatut
What to do after opening a bank account in Italy
1. Activate home banking — without it it is impossible to pay for TARI or file a declaration online.
2. Order a physical card — the virtual one is only suitable for online purchases, not for ATMs.
3. Connect Bonifico ricorrente — autopayments for rent and utilities, saves time and fines.
4. Keep the IBAN in a safe place — it is used for all official transactions, including residence permits and taxes.
For those who want not only to open an account, but also to understand how life works in Italy, the GIDtut team offers guided tours.
If you plan to open a bank account in Italy in the near future, don’t take any chances at random.
Write to us on Telegram and we will fully accompany you along the way!
A bank account in Italy is not a bureaucracy.
This is the first step towards stability, transparency and trust on the part of the state.
And we know how to take this step — confidently and without mistakes.
