How foreigners get a codice fiscale in Italy

Published on 2026-10-23

In Italy you are asked for your codice fiscale almost immediately: for a job contract, a lease, a bank account, a phone contract, or to register with the national health service and choose a family doctor. You cannot simply calculate one and start using it: the code must be assigned to you. Which office does that depends on your situation. This guide summarises the Agenzia delle Entrate leaflet “Codice fiscale per cittadini stranieri” (March 2023) and its page Come si chiede il codice fiscale.

Non-EU citizens

• Work or family reunification visa: the Sportello unico per l’immigrazione (at every Prefettura) assigns a temporary numeric code with the entry clearance. You get the definitive 16-character code when your residence permit is issued.
• Other residence permits: the Questura assigns the definitive code straight away.
• International protection: the Questura or border police assigns it when you apply.
• Ukrainian temporary protection: the Questura assigns the definitive code with the temporary permit application.
• Already legally in Italy but without a code: apply at any Agenzia delle Entrate office.

EU citizens

EU citizens who plan to stay in Italy apply at an Agenzia delle Entrate office with form AA4/8, giving a reason for the request and showing a valid passport or ID card valid for travel. They can also apply at the Italian consulate in their home country. For healthcare they can use the European Health Insurance Card issued by their own country.

Documents for form AA4/8

For non-EU citizens the leaflet lists these accepted documents: a valid residence permit; a valid passport, with visa where required, or another document recognised by Italian authorities; an identity certificate issued in Italy by your country’s embassy or consulate; or an Italian identity card. Download the current form and instructions from the Agenzia website (“Modello e istruzioni AA4/8”) and check there whether you need an appointment.

Temporary and definitive codes

A temporary code is an 11-digit number. According to the Agenzia, it already lets you register with the local health authority (ASL) and choose a doctor. When the definitive 16-character code arrives, use that one everywhere and tell your employer, bank and landlord.

You may also get a temporary code if your details would produce a code that already exists (omocodia). In that case the Questura or Sportello unico asks you to go to an Agenzia office, which checks and issues the definitive code.

Validity

Only the code issued and certified by the Agenzia delle Entrate is valid, and it does not expire, even when your residence permit does. It is sent by ordinary post to your residence, or to the tax address you gave if you are not resident.

What your code will look like

The definitive code has the same structure as an Italian’s, with your country of birth in characters 12–15. Someone born in the United Kingdom has Z114 there, someone born in India Z222. You can preview it with our codice fiscale calculator for foreigners, which lists every country code. If the code you receive differs from the preview, the usual reason is how your names were transcribed: a missing middle name, a double surname shortened, or a different transliteration. The code you receive is the one that counts.

Fixing mistakes

If your date or place of birth or your name was recorded wrongly, ask an Agenzia delle Entrate office to correct it, bringing a document with the right details. If the corrected details change the code, you receive the new one; update it wherever you used the old one.