PRACTICAL INFO
DAILY LIFE
Administrative formalities
to tackle upon arrival
Daily Life
Tax identification number (codice fiscale) is a unique 16-character alphanumeric code which identifies a citizen’s personal data.
E.g. this is the tax identification number of Mr Mario Rossi born in 1998: RSSMRA98S08H501H
It is required in Italy for all sort of procedures, e.g. opening a bank account, applying for the national health service, renting a flat etc.
It is valid only when issued and certified by Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Inland Revenue) and does not expire. If you have already lived, worked or studied in Italy you should have already received it!
How much does it cost?
It is free of charge.
How to apply?
If you are a student, PhD student or a researcher, please get in touch with your host institution.
Documentation required:
- Eu citizens must show a valid Passport or another ID document (for verification).
- Non Eu citizens must show a valid Passport and Visa (for verification), Copy of passport (with the personal data and copy of the visa).
The tax number may be issued also by Italian Consulates abroad. Please check the Consulate website in the country you reside to get more information.
To be valid the tax number must be issued by Agenzia delle Entrate or by Italian Embassy/Consulate.
If you are coming with family members (minors) and they need to apply for tax identification code, please make sure to have with you also documents issued by the competent authority about you family status that should be translated in Italian (this can be done also in Italy at the local Courthouse) or in original language provided that it shows the apostillae.
Things to know
Daily Life
Knowing Italian will make your stay as well as your daily life less difficult. You will have the opportunity to better experience the Italian culture and way of living and it will help you accomplish the administrative formalities.
Do you want to know more about Italian language and culture?
Do you want to learn Italian in your country?
Know more about Italian language and culture
Visit Italiana the portal for the promotion of Italian culture and language abroad by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Three sections dedicated to:
– Culture and creativity (projetcs, initiatoves to promote Italian culture);
– Language and education (online tools, and resourses);
– Opportunities (Public notices, awards and artist residencies, grants, scholarships).
Learn Italian in your country
All around the world Italian Cultural Institutes (in Italian istituti italiani di cultura) aim at promoting the Italian language and culture.
They regularly organise Italian language courses specifically designed for foreigners in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and promote events, exhibitions, academic exchange programmes, etc.
Dante Alighieri schools are recognised institutes of formal training and are qualified to issue certificates stating the knowledge and command of the Italian language. For further information click here.
ItaliAmo – A1 language and culture course APP
It is a free app to learn the Italian language and culture, divided into ten stages. The ap has been realised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the European Institute of Design (IED). Please download it on Google Play and the App Store.
StudiAMI – the app to improve your italian language
It requires a basic knowledge of italian language.
For further information click here.
To enroll to an undergraduate programme you must present an Italian language certification (at least level B2) or do a language test. Make sure that the language school you have chosen is recognised as institutes of formal training and qualified to issue these certificates CELI, CILS, PLIDA.
Click here to know about online courses and resourses to start learning Italian!
Things to know
Daily Life
Friuli Venezia Giulia region have an efficient public transport system that comprises urban and suburban lines, trains, bici bus, etc.
It possible to reach the main cities as well as tourist most interested places, beaches and mountains by bus, train, bike, etc.
Information on the regional public transport can be found here: https://tplfvg.it/it/.
Trieste Airport is located in Ronchi dei Legionari, 33 km away from Trieste and about 41 km from Udine. It is well connected with buses and trains.
The Trieste airport train station connects the airport with Trieste and Udine in about 30 min and with the main Italian cities (Venice, Milan, etc.).
The Trieste airport bus station connects the airport to the main cities in the region (Trieste, Udine, Gorizia) by APT bus line.
Tickets can be purchased at city bus/coach station or at the airport.
More info on Trieste Airport website.
Science Bus
A private sharing shuttle service that connects Trieste to Ronchi dei Legionari airport (Trieste airport), Venice, Treviso and Ljublijana airport.
For more information please visit Science bus website.
GoOpti
A private company for private and shared transports in Italy and Adriatic region.
For more information please visit Goopti website.
Things to know
Daily Life
If you hold a valid Eu driving license or a Non Eu driving license that should be accompanied by an International Driving Permit, you are entitled to freely drive in Italy under certain conditions.
Be aware that a car insurance is compulsory for all types of vehicle
The green card (in italian carta verde), the international insurance document, is compulsory for vehicles, except for those registered in Eu and in UK, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Andorra, Serbia, Switzerland.
The new version of the document, also used in Italy, is in black and white and printed on a single side, rather than double-sided.
Things to know
Daily Life
Upon arrival and while in Italy, you will be asked to accomplish several administrative formalities. Forms to fill out are in general available only in Italian.
That is why you may need a professional support to get information on what to do and on how to perform it.
In Italy immigration and fiscal services can be provided by private agencies and companies and by welfare authorised agencies that offer professional support on immigration requirements, social benefits, and fiscal assistance on taxes, etc called Patronati (Welfare and immigration agencies) and CAF (Centre for Fiscal Assistance).
Patronato or CAF should be contact in advance by phone or email to book an appointment. Remember to specify your personal data, your request and leave your Italian mobile phone number.
How much does it cost?
Patronato services can be provided for free or upon the payment of a fee.
CAF assistance envisages the payment of fee that can be different according to the service provided.
It is recommended to ask for the payment condition before getting the service.
Welcome Office FVG may provide you with a list of Patronati in Trieste or Udine offering information and assistance in English.
Things to know
Daily Life
Banks and post offices offer current, savings accounts, and joint accounts for couples (conto corrente cointestato). Banking services are also provided online, special conditions or accounts may be offered for students.
In general no fees are charged when you withdraw cash from your own bank’s ATM as well as when paying in shops.
Current accounts for non-residents cost more in terms of fees. A cheaper solution might be other online products such as prepaid or account card with IBAN.
Ask the bank/post office about the possible options and, before deciding, always verify the conditions (i.e fees for operations, etc.).
How to open a bank/post online or standard current account?
Residents and non-residents aged over 18 can open a bank/post account, also online. You may be asked to provide one or more of the following documents:
- passport or valid ID;
- tax Identitification number (Codice Fiscale);
- recent utility bill (as proof of address);
- Italian mobile phone number;
- residence certificate or valid permit of stay and proof of your condition (work contract or payslip/fellowship/etc.).
Prepaid cards with IBAN
Prepaid cards with an IBAN usually have lower monthly fees than traditional current accounts.
Having an IBAN means that the card can be used to:
- send and receive credit transfers
- receive direct debits
- shop online
- automatically pay your utility bills
- withdraw money from a bank or an ATM
Prepaid cards can be reloaded by the owner or by another person somewhere else. If the card is lost or stolen, only the remaining balance is at risk if there is any unauthorized use.
The main costs of a prepaid card are:
- an annual fee
- a card purchase fee
- ATM withdrawal and reloading fees
- foreign currency transaction fees.
Bank opening hours
Opening hours vary according to the bank and the town. Banks are usually open from 8.30 until 1.30 pm and in the afternoons from 2.30 pm until 4.00 pm, from Monday to Friday. Banks are often closed in the afternoon before a bank holiday.
Things to know
Daily Life
SPID – Public Digital Identity System facilitate and allows you to access on-line services of local and central public administrations.
It can be used to get certificates, to access your electronic health record, to make healthcare reservation within the National Healthcare system – SSN or change your general practitioner or your kids’ pediatric, to pay school fees or make school enrollment, to get your INPS pension record or applying for family benefits, etc.
It is made by a username and a password (SPID credentials). There are 3 security levels to choose which may require further security system beside SPID credentials.
Three security levels are:
- the first level allows access to basic online services (you need only your SPID credential username and password).
- the second level allows access to online services that required an higher level of security (you need your SPID credentials along with a temporary OTP (one time password) access code or with an app supplied by the identity manager provider.
- the third level provides, in addition to the SPID credentials, the use of additional security solutions and any physical devices (e.g. smart cards) that are supplied by the identity manager provider.
Are you a Eu or Non Eu citizen currently living in Italy and you need to have SPID?
The basic requirements are:
- Having more than 18 years old;
- Holding a valid Italian identitification document (i.e. identity card which is issued ONLY to Non EU and EU citizens regularly resident in Italy and registered at the local Registry office – Ufficio Anagrafe of the municipality they live in as permanent resident)
Which documents do you need to get SPID?
- valid Italian document (Identity Card, driving license, passport);
- your heath card (Tessera Sanitaria) or tax identification number;
- your email and mobile phone number.
How to create a SPID?
- you should select an authorized identity provider;
- register on the website of the provider chosen;
- enter your personal data;
- create your SPID credentials (username and password);
- carry out the recognition by:
- in person; OR
- via webcam; OR
- audio-video by bank transfer; OR
- CIE (Carta d’Identità Elettronica), CNS (Carta Nazionale dei Servizi) or digital signature.
How long does it take?
It can be issued right after the process, in a couple of hours, or more. It depends on the provider.
It is possible to have more than one SPID with different security level provided that they are issued by different identity manager providers.
It is provided for free or by paying a fee depending on the identity manager providers and on the security level you choose (in general level 1 and 2 are provided for free).
Check the list of digital identity providers authorized by AgID – Agenzia per l’Italia Digitale at this link
The use of SPID is free of charges.
Things to know
Daily Life
The Italian social security system is managed by INPS – National Social Security Institute and it is funded by national insurance contributions paid by employed workers, employers, independent workers and self-employed workers, as well as through general taxation, working in Italy regardless their citizenship.
The opportunity to obtain the following benefits by paying contributions depend on whether the person concerned has a permit of stay or residence papers:
- pensions
- sickness and maternity/parental leave
- unemployment benefit
- family allowances
- etc.
Benefit amounts are based on the length of time the worker has contributed to the Italian system and to the level of their earnings.
Pay attention that certain benefits such as those for sickness (a medical certificate issued by a GP of the SSN is required), maternity and parental leave, unemployment and family allowances can be claimed upon the conditions are met during the stay in Italy.
Please ask information about that to your hosting organisation or employer.
Pension contribution are paid monthly but it is not possible to claim them back before the pension age/pension contribution is met.
Before moving to/from Italy it is advisable to contact INPS to get information about your own pension contribution. Social security rights accrued working abroad can be transferred to another EU country under certain conditions or to Non EU country provided that Italy has signed a bilateral agreement with it.
Separate Pension Scheme (Gestione separata), a pension fund financed by the mandatory social security contributions of insured workers. It addresses to certain categories of para-subordinate workers like:
- forms of coordinated and continuous collaboration (co. co. co.);
- beneficiaries of research grants (assegno di ricerca);
- scholarship recipients for attending research PhD programmes (PhD fellowship);
- scholarship recipients supporting international student mobility;
- doctors with specialist training contracts;
- etc.
ATTENTION: Gestione separata registration must be fullfilled by the employee (e.g. Researcher, Phd students, etc.) under the Separate Pension Scheme throught INPS online service.
Please ask to your hosting organisation/employer about that and contact INPS Contact centre
To access the INPS website to apply for the benefits you need:
-a second level SPID (Public Digital Identity System)
– OR the CIE (Electronic Identity Card)
– OR the CNS (National Service Card)
– OR the eIDAS (electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services)
For more information about social security in Italy and in the EU please visit Your Europe|State pension abroad
RESAVER is a state-of-the-art Pan-European Pension Plan that enables mobile and non-mobile employees to remain with the same pension arrangement when moving between countries and when changing jobs. Find out more
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