USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOUR STAY IN ITALY

The tax identification number (Codice Fiscale) provides a means of identification in their relations with the Italian Public Administration and other authorities and institutions. For natural persons, it is determined on the basis of personal data and is made up of 16 alphanumeric characters.

You must have a tax identification number in order to

  • open an Italian bank account
  • sign any type of contract (rental agreement, telephone line, etc.)
  • register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN)

It is important to pay close attention to personal details: you must indicate your name exactly as it appears on your identity document

How to apply for the tax identification number abroad.
MAECI scholarship holders may request the Italian tax identification number, before entering Italy, to the Italian diplomatic-consular representation competent for their country or area of residence.

How to apply for the tax identification number in Italy.

Please visit the Agenzia delle Entrate website at the following link: Individuals - Tax identification number for foreign citizens - Agenzia delle Entrate (agenziaentrate.gov.it).

To reside legally in Italy for a period of more than three months, non-EU students must apply for a residence permit within 8 working days from their arrival. The residence permit application KIT (commonly known as the “yellow kit”) is available at any Post Office branch with a Sportello Amico sign.

In order to fill in the application you need to attach the following documents:

  • the application form;
  • 2 copies of your passport (the personal data and stamp pages);
  • 2 copies of your visa;
  • copy of your Italian tax identification number (Codice Fiscale);
  • proof of university enrolment in Italy;
  • A 16,00 € revenue stamp (marca da bollo that you can purchase at any tobacco store);
  • proof of your housing;
  • Dichiarazione di Assegnazione borsa (the Awarding Letter of your scholarship) issued by the Italian Embassy in your country and your health insurance.

Please make sure you do not put the original documents in the envelope, only copies. We advise that you double check the list of documents you need to enclose at the post office before applying

The application comes with a cost of generally €116.46 (€16 for the revenue stamp + €70.46 for the Electronic residence permit + €30 for shipping) for stays of up to one year. The fee varies depending on the duration, but it usually amounts to €40 for studies lasting less than one year.

Please note: costs may vary, we recommend checking the pre-filled payment slips in the postal kit.

We recommend that you check the list of documents to be included at the post office before submitting the application. DO NOT put original documents inside the envelope, only their copies, but bring your passport with you.

After submission students will receive:
  • the receipt of the application. The receipt represents proof of your legal stay in Italy, therefore it is important to keep it safe. The receipt includes also credentials to check the status of your application online;
  • date of your appointment at the Immigration Office of the Police Headquarters (the Italian Questura) to complete the procedure;

On the day of the appointment at the Questura, your fingerprints will be taken and you will have to hand over all the required documents.

After a few weeks (time may vary based on the city you are in), you will receive an SMS notifying you to collect your residence permit at the Immigration Office. You can check the website of the Police Controlla online il permesso di soggiorno | Polizia di Stato to find out whether your residence permit is available for collection.

Students who wish to apply the renewal of the residence permit must do so at least 60 days prior to expiry, by undergoing the same procedure.

For more information, you can check the following website: Il Portale Immigrazione.

Unlike non-EU students, European students do not need a residence permit. Nevertheless, students who stay in Italy for more than 3 months need to declare their presence on the territory by registering their temporary residence in Italy.

To register a temporary residence in Italy, students should present to the Civil Registry Office (Anagrafe) of their city or municipality the following documents.

  • passport or ID (original and copy);
  • tax identification number (Codice Fiscale, original and copy);
  • proof of university enrolment in Italy;
  • European Health Insurance Card issued by your country of residence (original and copy);
  • proof of sufficient resources.

The registration lasts 12 months.

Always get in touch with the International Student’s Office of your University for information and instructions about the process and the required documents.

As a recipient of a MAECI scholarship, students are required to open an Italian current account. Please make sure you open a regular current account and do not subscribe to a banking service offering only money transfers abroad via electronic payments. Prepaid cards and online bank current accounts are accepted, as long as they have an Italian IBAN - International Bank Account Number - with a code starting with IT.

To open an Italian current account students must present:

  • passport or ID card;
  • tax identification number (Codice Fiscale);
  • residence permit, if applicable, or the receipt of the residence permit application, if accepted.

Many Higher Education Institutions have agreements with banks, with preferential conditions. Always check with your University or AFAM Institution; you may have the chance to open your bank account with their help.

All MAECI scholarship recipients are covered by collective policies for health insurance provided by the Italian Government (MAECI) in case of illness or accident in Italy. Illnesses depending on pre-existing physical or pathological conditions and dental care are excluded from the insurance coverage. The insurance is valid only for the duration of the scholarship. If you decide to stay longer in Italy after the end of the Grant, you should buy a private health insurance or register with the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (Italian National Health Service).

For more information on registering with the SSN and on the payment of the annual contribution (approximately €700), please visit the Agenzia delle Entrate website at the following link: L'Agenzia - Iscrizione al Servizio sanitario nazionale - Agenzia delle Entrate (agenziaentrate.gov.it)

When moving to Italy, getting yourself an Italian SIM card might prove convenient for a wide range of reasons. Firstly, the local rates are usually lower than keeping an international number for both calls and data usage. Moreover, an Italian phone number may be required for official communications, such as the SMS you will receive from the Questura to collect your residence permit, or official communications from the Municipality or the bank.

Students may buy their SIM card by going to mobile company stores, where they can also choose their plan. Similarly, SIM cards are also available in supermarkets and tobacco stores. Depending on the chosen plan, SIM cards are usually rechargeable, either through direct debit to the current account, or through a monthly fee payment via app/site.

To sign a mobile phone contract and obtain a SIM CARD, you generally need:

  • passport or ID card
  • tax identification number (Codice Fiscale).

In case of emergency or assistance you can dial 112 (one-one-two), single European emergency number. Callings will be transferred to a single Assistance Unit, which will get you in contact with the competent authority, such as.

Many Italian universities dispose of student services and housing offices that can provide information on renting student apartments, generally more affordable than accommodation on the private market - and manage university housing facilities. Common kinds of university accommodation are: university dorms (residenze universitarie and case dello studente), university guestrooms (foresterie – usually for short stays), and university colleges or residences (collegi or residenze universitarie).

For further information check the following link Collegi Universitari di Merito - CCUM

Admission to university residencies is usually based on the student’s financial status and merit.

We inform you that the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation cannot provide assistance for accommodation.

The MAECI scholarship is compatible with the allocation of university accommodation, as long as no money is received from Italian public bodies, including those responsible for the regional right to education.

In the Grants section, see the FAQ What are the terms of payment of the grant?