How to open a bank account in Italy the easy way

Opening a bank account in Italy can seem like a daunting task. Read our guide to find out how to get started with your banking in Italy.

Yordan

3 minute read

·

Updated on 18 Nov 2024

·

Living

Once you finally make the move to Italy, one of the first things you’ll need to do is open an Italian bank account. Once you’ve opened your bank account in Italy, you’ll be able to receive your salary, pay taxes and avoid pricey transaction fees.

To make your first step towards settling into Italian life easy, we’ve collected everything you need to know so you can learn how to open a bank account in Italy right away. Let’s get into it!

Yes, anyone above the age of 18 can open a bank account in Italy.

However, the type of bank account you can open in Italy will depend on your residence status. Non-residents won’t be able to access the same banking features as Italian residents.

Bank accounts for Italian residents

If you spend more than 183 days a year in Italy, you’re considered an Italian resident. As an Italian resident, there’s a number of bank accounts you can access.

• Conto corrente (current account) is the most common account that you’d use for day-to-day transactions

• Conto corrente cointestato (joint account) is a form of current account that you share with someone else

• Conto di risparmio (savings account) is a savings account that earns you higher interest than the current account

• Conto di deposito (deposit account) is a more restrictive type of a savings account that earns greater interest

Bank accounts for non-residents in Italy

If you spend less than 183 days a year in Italy or you don’t have a permanent place of residence in Italy, you’re considered a non-resident

Non-residents in Italy can only open a current account in Italy, specifically a conto corrente non residenti (non-resident current account) or conto estero (offshore current account). These accounts are for non-residents in Italy who want to manage and collect payments in Italy.

The process of opening a bank account in Italy is pretty similar regardless of your residency status.

To open a bank account in Italy, you’ll need to collect the following documents:

• A valid identification document (passport or identity card)
• Your codice fiscale
• Proof of address
• Proof of employment or enrolment
• A residence permit, if applicable

Some banks may also require you to transfer a particular amount of money to your new account upon opening it. These amounts vary widely, so it’s best to do your research in advance to avoid being caught off guard.

What are the opening times of banks in Italy?

Considering the Italian work culture, the fact that the Italian banks have limited opening times, especially in the afternoon, shouldn’t come as a surprise.

To be exact, most Italian banks aren’t open on weekends and only take customers between 15:00 and 16:30 in the afternoon.

What services do Italian banks provide to their customers?

Italian banks typically offer online banking and automated utility bill payment as standard services. Some banks will offer overdrafts, credit cards and chequebooks as additional services with their current account offerings.

Is it possible to open an Italian bank account online?

Unless the bank operates entirely online, like N26 or Revolut, you can't open an Italian bank account online because the bank wants to verify your identity and documents in person.

There aren't any fees for opening a bank account in Italy. While most banks don’t charge you for the physical debit and/ or credit card you get some may request a payment of about €30 for a credit card or €12 for a debit card.

However, you may be required to pay maintenance fees for your account or pay charges for transfers and withdrawals. The cost of the fees varies a lot between banks, so shop around and find the bank and account that works best for you.

With more than 20 banks operating in the territory of Italy, you’ll have to find the one that accommodates your needs as an expat.

We’ve compiled a list of the best banks in Italy that have English-speaking customer service to help you with your banking needs:

• BNL is one of the largest banks in Italy and offers a wide range of products and services, including accounts for expats.

• Banco Nazionale del Lavoro is another major Italian bank that offers a range of products and services for expats.

• ING is a Dutch bank that offers a wide range of banking products and services, including accounts for expats.

• Unicredit is one of the largest banks in Italy and offers a wide range of products and services for expats.

Although some Italian banks try to cater to the needs of expats, it’s recommended that you know some Italian in order to be able to communicate with the employees better.

Now that you’ve got all the information you need to choose the right Italian bank for you, it’s finally time to open a bank account in Italy and settle into your new Italian lifestyle!