Yes, but with limits that depend on your residency and citizenship

You can open some types of bank accounts in Italy online, but the process and what you can do with the account depend heavily on whether you live there, whether you are an EU citizen, and which bank you choose. Most Italian banks will let you open a basic account online if you are already in Italy with a valid ID, but banks outside Italy rarely open accounts for non-residents without visiting a branch in person. If you are moving to Italy or already live there, online opening is usually faster than the in-person route — but you will still need to verify your identity, and some banks require a video call or in-person confirmation before the account becomes fully active.

The key difference is between residents (people living in Italy with a registered address) and non-residents (people living elsewhere). Banks treat these two groups very differently under EU and Italian law, especially after changes to anti-money-laundering rules. A resident in Italy can often complete the entire process from home. A non-resident usually cannot, even if they are an EU citizen.

Key Takeaways

  • If you live in Italy with a registered address, most major banks let you open an account online using your ID and a video call or in-person visit to confirm your identity.
  • If you live outside Italy, even in another EU country, most Italian banks will not open an account for you online — you will need to visit a branch in person or use a bank that specifically serves non-residents.
  • EU citizens moving to Italy can often open an account before they arrive by visiting a branch, then complete the process online once they have a registered address.
  • You will need a valid ID (passport or national ID card), proof of address in Italy, and sometimes proof of income or employment, depending on the bank and account type.
  • Some online-only banks and fintech companies have looser rules than traditional banks, but they may not offer the full range of services a traditional bank does.

What Italian banks require to open an account online

The basic documents are the same across most banks: a valid ID (passport, national ID card, or residence permit), proof of your address in Italy, and your tax identification number (codice fiscale). If you do not yet have a codice fiscale, you can request one from the Agenzia delle Entrate (the Italian tax authority) — this can often be done online or at a local office, and takes a few days.

Beyond those basics, banks differ. Some ask for proof of income (a recent payslip, employment contract, or tax return), especially if you are opening a current account rather than a savings account. Others ask for a reference from another bank or proof that you have lived in Italy for a minimum time. A few require you to visit a branch at least once, even if you started the process online. Call or check the bank's website before you begin — the requirements change and vary by branch.

If you are opening the account online, the bank will ask you to verify your identity, usually through a video call with a staff member or by uploading a photo of your ID and a selfie. This step is mandatory under Italian and EU law and cannot be skipped, even for online accounts.

Which banks let you open an account online from outside Italy

This is the hard part: most do not. Traditional banks like Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, and Banco BPM will open accounts for non-residents, but they usually require you to visit a branch in person, at least once. Some have branches in other EU countries or in major cities outside Europe, so you might be able to visit a branch near you rather than traveling to Italy.

A few banks have made it easier for non-residents. N26 (a German online bank with an Italian presence) and Revolut (a UK-based fintech) will open accounts for non-EU residents without requiring a branch visit, though they may have limits on what you can do with the account until you verify your address. Wise (formerly TransferWise) offers multi-currency accounts and is popular with people moving between countries, though it is not a full bank account in the traditional sense.

If you are an EU citizen planning to move to Italy, your best option is often to visit an Italian bank branch before you move, open an account as a non-resident, and then convert it to a resident account once you have a registered address in Italy. This takes longer upfront but avoids the need to visit Italy twice.

The identity verification step: video call or in-person

Once you have submitted your documents online, the bank will ask you to prove you are who you say you are. This is not optional and cannot be done by email or document upload alone. Most banks offer a video call with a staff member, where you show your ID and answer questions about yourself. The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and can be scheduled at a time that suits you.

Some banks, especially smaller regional ones, still require you to visit a branch in person for this step. If the bank's website does not clearly say whether they offer video verification, call them and ask — it is worth confirming before you spend time uploading documents.

After verification, the bank will tell you how long it takes for the account to be fully active. This is usually a few days, but can be up to two weeks if the bank needs to do extra checks or if there is a backlog.

Getting your codice fiscale before you move

Your codice fiscale (tax identification number) is a 16-character code that every bank will ask for. If you do not have one, you can request it from the Agenzia delle Entrate online, by mail, or in person at a local office. If you are outside Italy, the online route is fastest — you can explore on the Agenzia delle Entrate website and usually receive your codice fiscale within a few days by email.

You will need your passport or national ID card and your date of birth. If you are explore from outside Italy, you may need to provide a copy of your ID by email or upload it to their website. Once you have the codice fiscale, you can use it to open a bank account, even if you have not yet moved to Italy.

What happens after your account is open

Once the account is active, you can usually use it when ready for transfers, direct deposits, and card payments. The bank will send you a debit card in the post — this usually takes one to three weeks. If you need to make payments before the card arrives, you can use online banking or a temporary card number.

If you opened the account as a non-resident and later move to Italy, contact the bank and ask them to update your residency status. This is important because it may change your account type, your fees, or the services available to you. Some banks do this automatically once they see a change of address; others require you to ask.

Keep your online banking login details safe and set up two-factor authentication (usually a code sent to your phone) as soon as the account is active. Italian banks are required to offer this, and it protects you if someone tries to access your account without permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open an Italian bank account if I do not live in Italy yet?

If you are an EU citizen, yes — visit an Italian bank branch in your home country or in Italy before you move, and open an account as a non-resident. If you are not an EU citizen, it depends on the bank; some will not open accounts for non-residents at all. Online-only banks like N26 and Revolut are more flexible, but they may have limits until you verify your address in Italy.

Do I need to visit Italy in person to open a bank account?

Not always. If you live in Italy, most banks let you complete the entire process online with a video call. If you live outside Italy, most traditional banks require at least one in-person visit to a branch, though that branch does not have to be in Italy — some have offices in other EU countries. Online banks are more flexible but may have restrictions until you verify your address.

How long does it take to open an account online?

If all your documents are in order and you can do the video verification when ready, the account can be active within a few days. In practice, it usually takes one to two weeks because the bank may need time to process your documents or schedule the verification call. Some banks are slower than others, so ask when you explore.

What if the bank asks for proof of income and I do not have a job yet?

Tell the bank you are moving to Italy and do not yet have employment. Many will open a basic savings account without proof of income, or will accept a letter from a future employer or proof of savings instead. If one bank refuses, try another — requirements vary.

Can I use my Italian bank account from outside Italy?

Yes. Once the account is open, you can log in from anywhere and make transfers, check your balance, and pay bills online. Some banks may flag unusual activity or block transactions if you are accessing the account from a very different location, but this is usually temporary and can be resolved by contacting the bank.