What is the Codice Fiscale?
The codice fiscale is Italy's personal tax identification number — a 16-character alphanumeric code assigned to every individual who has any dealings with Italian public administration. It functions similarly to a Social Security Number in the US or a National Insurance Number in the UK: it identifies you to the government, tax authorities, and many private institutions.
The code is structured and not random. It encodes your surname, first name, date of birth, gender, and place of birth into a precise formula. Two people with identical names and birthplaces will get codes that differ based on specific disambiguation rules.
What the Codice Fiscale Looks Like
A codice fiscale has exactly 16 characters:
- First 3: Letters derived from your surname
- Next 3: Letters derived from your first name
- Next 2: Digits for birth year
- Next 1: Letter for birth month (coded A–T, skipping some letters)
- Next 2: Digits for birth day (women add 40 to their birth day)
- Next 4: Code for municipality (or country for those born abroad)
- Last 1: Control character
Example: RSSMRA80A01H501U
What You Need It For
Almost everything official in Italy requires your codice fiscale:
- Opening a bank account — no codice fiscale, no account
- Buying or renting property — required for any contract, registration, or mortgage
- Healthcare — accessing the Italian National Health Service (SSN), booking specialists
- Utilities — gas, electricity, and internet contracts
- Filing taxes — primary identifier on all tax returns and payments
- Employment contracts — mandatory on all payroll documentation
- SIM cards — required to register a mobile phone number
- School enrollment — for yourself or your children
How to Get One
If you're in Italy: Visit any Agenzia delle Entrate office. Bring your original passport (or EU identity card for EU citizens). The process is free and usually same-day — you often get a temporary paper certificate immediately, with the plastic card following by post.
If you're abroad: Apply at the nearest Italian consulate or embassy. Processing times vary by country. Some consulates allow applications by post or online.
The plastic card (tessera sanitaria): Once you register with the Italian health service, your codice fiscale also appears on your tessera sanitaria (health card) — the green credit-card-sized card that serves as both your tax ID card and your health service card.
Digital Access
With SPID (Italy's digital identity system), you can access your codice fiscale record online through the Agenzia delle Entrate portal, view your tax file, and request a replacement card if yours is lost or damaged.
Codice Fiscale vs. Partita IVA
These two numbers are often confused. The codice fiscale identifies you as an individual for all purposes. The Partita IVA is a separate business registration number for VAT purposes, required only when you operate commercially as a self-employed person or business. If you're just an employee or property owner, you only ever need the codice fiscale.