CODICE FISCALE
1. What is the Codice Fiscale and what is it used for?
The Codice Fiscale is a unique tax identification code assigned by Italy to individuals and other entities (companies, associations, etc.) to unambiguously identify them in interactions with public authorities and within the tax system.
It is issued by the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency). This code serves as your official identifier in most public and many private procedures — from accessing healthcare to signing contracts.
Where and when the Codice Fiscale is needed in practice
The most common situations where you cannot proceed without a CF include:
• Registration with the Comune (anagrafe) and obtaining various permits and certificates.
• Signing contracts: housing rental, mobile phone, internet, bank account, or employment.
• Accessing healthcare services and obtaining the Tessera Sanitaria (National Health Service card — your CF is printed on it).
• Using INPS services, submitting Modello 730, or receiving bonuses and tax benefits.
• Creating a SPID (national digital ID) or CIE/CNS for accessing online public services.
⚖️ 2. Legal Framework
• D.P.R. 29 settembre 1973, n. 605 — establishment of the codice fiscale
• Circolare Agenzia delle Entrate n. 95/2005 — application, renewal, and correction procedures
3. Structure of the Codice Fiscale
For an individual, the CF consists of 16 characters (letters and numbers) that encode:
- Parts of the surname and first name
- Date of birth and gender
- Code of place of birth (Italian municipality or country)
- A control character (used for verification)
Example: RSSMRA91T15Z404K
(ROSSI MARIA, born 15.12.1991 in Rome)
When there are duplicates (people with the same name and date of birth), a mechanism called omocodia is applied — replacing certain digits with letters according to official rules to ensure each code remains unique.
⚠️ Important: “Generating” a CF through online calculators is only approximate — the only valid code is the one officially issued and registered by the Agenzia delle Entrate.
4. Who receives a Codice Fiscale
• Italian citizens — automatically at birth (via the anagrafe/tax system).
• Foreign citizens (EU/non-EU) residing or temporarily staying in Italy who enter into legal or fiscal relations — such as renting housing, employment, study, or healthcare — must obtain the CF at Agenzia delle Entrate (personally, through an authorized representative, or sometimes through an Italian consulate abroad).
In what form it is issued
• A certificate of assignment (paper sheet with your CF and an official stamp or QR code).
• A green plastic Codice Fiscale card — commonly used by foreigners without SSN rights or Italians living abroad.
• For those entitled to medical care under the SSN, a Tessera Sanitaria/CNS (blue card) is usually issued instead of the green card. All these documents reproduce the same CF.
• In some cases, the Permesso di soggiorno may also contain the Codice Fiscale — serving as an official confirmation of its assignment.
🧩5. How to obtain a Codice Fiscale: where to go and what documents are needed
Who issues the Codice Fiscale
The official issuing authority is the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency).
Foreign citizens can obtain it:
• In Italy — at any local office of Agenzia delle Entrate
• Abroad — at an Italian Consulate (useful for students or workers under contract who have not yet entered Italy)
Some categories (e.g., foreign workers) may receive a CF automatically when registering at the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione or when applying for a Permesso di soggiorno.
Required documents
For non-EU citizens (extra-UE):
• A valid passport (with visa if required for entry);
• Completed application form AA4/8 (official Agenzia delle Entrate form).
For EU citizens:
• Passport or national ID card;
• Occasionally, proof of residence in Italy (residenza or dichiarazione di ospitalità).
For children:
• Passport or birth certificate;
• Parents’ documents with their CF;
• Application completed and signed by one parent.
6. Procedure
1️) Appointment or visit to Agenzia delle Entrate
In most cases, you can go without an appointment, but in large cities an online prenotazione (booking system) may be required.
2️) Submitting documents
Present your passport and the completed application form.
3️) Issuance of the Codice Fiscale
• You receive the paper confirmation with your CF immediately.
• The green plastic card is sent later by post (not mandatory — the paper certificate has full legal validity).
4️) Registration in the national database
Your CF becomes accessible in government systems — from that moment, you can use it for any administrative procedure.
⏱️ Processing time: usually the same day.
7. Advice and practical notes
• If you have already applied for a Permesso di soggiorno, you can request the Codice Fiscale using the postal receipt (ricevuta postale).
• In case of errors (misspelled name, wrong date, etc.), submit a correction request to Agenzia delle Entrate.
• The Codice Fiscale remains the same for life — even if your name, citizenship, or residence changes.
• When personal data changes (e.g., surname after marriage), update your Tessera Sanitaria or card, but the code itself does not change.
Useful links
- https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/
- https://www.mef.gov.it/index.html
- https://www.anagrafenazionale.interno.it/
- https://www.salute.gov.it/new/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1️) Can I obtain a Codice Fiscale before getting a Permesso di soggiorno?
✅ Yes. A valid passport (with visa if required) is sufficient. A Permesso di soggiorno or ricevuta postale can help but is not mandatory.
2️) Where can I obtain the Codice Fiscale?
📍 At the Agenzia delle Entrate (tax office). Abroad — at an Italian Consulate.
3️) Can I get a Codice Fiscale online?
❌ No. It can only be issued officially through Agenzia delle Entrate or a consulate. Online services allow only to request a duplicate or verify an existing code.
4️) How long does it take to issue?
Usually the Codice Fiscale is issued the same day, as a paper certificate.
5️) Does the Codice Fiscale change after marriage or a name change?
❌ No. It remains the same for life. Only the supporting documents (Tessera Sanitaria, certificate) are updated.
6️) Is there a difference between the green Codice Fiscale card and the blue Tessera Sanitaria?
🟩 The green card is simply the CF holder.
🟦 The Tessera Sanitaria is the SSN healthcare card, which also contains your CF. Both confirm the same number.
7️) Is there a fee for obtaining the Codice Fiscale?
❌ No. It is issued free of charge.
8️) What if there’s an error in my code?
📑 Contact Agenzia delle Entrate with your documents and a correction request (form AA4/8).
9️) Can they refuse to issue a Codice Fiscale?
🚫 Only if the documents are invalid or there is no legal basis for your stay in Italy (for example, expired visa or passport).
10) Can I use online “Codice Fiscale generators”?
⚠️ Only for checking how the code is composed from your personal data. The only valid code is the one officially issued by Agenzia delle Entrate.
We’ve prepared a detailed PDF Guide for you — covering all the steps and procedures for obtaining a Codice Fiscale.
Download and use it as a ready-to-go manual!