One of the first and most important things new residents in Italy need is a codice fiscale, or tax code. Here’s a quick guide to getting yours.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Codice fiscale: How to get your Italian tax code (and why you need one)
Get ready for your visit to the Italian tax office. Photo: AFP
What is it and why do I need one?
A codice fiscale is a personal identification number similar to a Social Security number in the US or National Insurance number in the UK.
But it’s not just used for employment or paying taxes. Unlike in the UK where you get your NI number at the age of 16, Italy issues the codice fiscale at birth.
And if you weren’t born in Italy, you’ll still need to get hold of this number as soon as you start your life here.
Whether you’ll be working or not, the code is essential for everyday activities. You’ll need it to do practically anything; from opening a bank account to buying property, and you’ll even need to enter it when making some online purchases.
Is it difficult to get?
The good news is that it’s relatively easy to get hold of. You can get your own codice fiscale even if you don’t speak much of the language – and even if you’re not in the country.
How do I apply?
If you’re not in Italy, visit the Italian embassy or consulate in your country to apply. You can also have a legal professional in Italy obtain the tax code on your behalf.
If you are in Italy, non-EU citizens applying for the tax code will need to visit one of three offices, depending on their reasons for applying.
According to the Agenzie delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency, or tax office), people entering the country “either for employment purposes or to reunite with their family” must apply for a codice fiscale at the immigration desk at their local prefettura (prefecture), known as the ‘Sportello Unico per l’immigrazione‘.
Meanwhile, foreign nationals “who require either the issuance or renewal of a residence permit” should apply for the tax code via their local Questura, the province’s police headquarters.
“In any other situation the tax identification number can be obtained from the offices of the Italian Revenue Agency,” the tax office website states.
Citizens of non-EU Countries need to show at least one of the following documents when applying:
a valid passport with visa (if required), or any other document accepted by the Italian authorities
a certificate of identity issued by the Italian diplomatic or consular authorities of the Country of nationality (with photo)
a valid residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)
an ID card issued by the municipality of residence in Italy.
“Non-EU citizens must also prove that they have the right to stay, even temporarily, in Italy,” the website states.
EU citizens can instead apply for the tax identification number at any Agenzie delle Entrate office. Find your nearest office here.
Along with the application form, which the tax office will provide (although perhaps not in English), you’ll need to show a valid identification document (identity card or passport).
The all-important application form. Photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP
When will I get my codice fiscale?
You should be assigned your code immediately if you’re applying in person. The tax office will print out a piece of paper with your number on.
A plastic card (tesserino) carrying the same information should be posted a few weeks later to the address you gave on the application form.
If you later apply for a tessera sanitaria, or Italian state health insurance card, your codice fiscale will also be printed on the back of that.
READ ALSO: Who can register for national healthcare in Italy?
If you lose your codice fiscale or tessera sanitaria, you can request a replacement online.
For more details about applying for a codice fiscale, see the Italian tax office’s website here (in English).
Find more guides to navigating Italian paperwork in our bureaucracy section.
EXPLAINED: What is Italy’s ‘pink parking’ and how do you use it?
Are you pregnant or do you have a child under two years old? Here’s how you can use Italy’s priority pink parking, according to updated rules of the Highway Code.
Published: 25 April 2022 16:50 CEST
EXPLAINED: What is Italy’s ‘pink parking’ and how do you use it?
Finding a car parking space can be a headache in Italy, especially in busy town centres at peak times.
To ease the burden on drivers with precious cargo, Italy recently formalised its rules on so-called ‘pink parking’ (parcheggio rosa) for pregnant women or parents with children under two years old.
READ ALSO: How visitors to Italy can avoid driving penalties
Pink lines on the road reserved for this group is nothing new, as it existed in some form before, but the latest Highway Code reform introduced new measures and formalised what was previously a gesture.
Here’s what the parking privilege entitles you to now and how to prove you’re eligible to use it.
How pink parking spaces have changed
Before the Italian authorities updated the Highway Code in November, individual towns could reserve some parking spaces, but only for certain categories of people, such as those with limited mobility.
These categories could include pregnant women, but this was not explicitly stated.
As it wasn’t a national measure, town halls created their own pink parking spaces near essential public services like hospitals, schools, parks, banks and post offices. Supermarkets have also historically created pink parking spaces for clients, as a gesture of courtesy.
(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP)
Under the reform, however, the Highway Code provided for pink parking spaces formally, nationwide.
Italy’s road rules contained a reference to parking spots for pregnant women and parents with children up to the age of two. In order to use these parking spaces, you need a ‘pink permit’ (permesso rosa).
Article 158 of the Highway Code prohibits parking within pink lines if you don’t fall into this category.
Anyone caught using a pink parking space who is not eligible could be fined from anywhere between €80 to €328 for mopeds and from €165 to €660 for other vehicles.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How do you dispute a parking ticket in Italy?
How do you get a pink permit?
To apply for a pink permit, you need to apply to your town hall as the permit must be issued by the municipality of residence (comune di residenza).
Each local authority should have a form for you to fill out, which will then be reviewed by the police.
Depending on where you live, however, it’s worth noting that not all town halls have caught up with the new regulations and may not yet be in a position to give you a pink permit.
The Local contacted one municipality in the province of Bologna to apply, to which they replied, “The municipality is still in the process of identifying any areas to be dedicated to ‘pink’ parking.
“We very much doubt that this will happen before the end of summer 2022.”
To find out if your town hall has begun issuing permits, you can usually email or go online with Spid authentication, if available.
In order to obtain the pink permit you will normally need to show:
A copy of the certificate of the baby’s due date of birth or the birth certificate;
A copy of your driving licence;
A copy of your car registration document.
See full details of Italy’s Highway Code here and visit our travel section for the latest updates.
