A week-by-week plan for your first 30 days in Italy — every critical settling-in task laid out in order.
Overview
Italy front-loads its compliance: you have 8 days from entry to submit the permesso di soggiorno application (the kit postale, handed in at a Poste Italiane Sportello Amico — about EUR 116 in fees including the EUR 16 marca da bollo) and 20 days to declare residence at your comune's anagrafe office. Between those two deadlines, collect your codice fiscale — free and same-day at any Agenzia delle Entrate office — because banks, landlords, employers, utilities and the health service all require it. The kit ricevuta is your interim residence document; the Questura later summons you for fingerprinting, and the physical permesso card follows roughly 6-12 weeks after arrival. Healthcare comes via SSN enrolment at your local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) — automatic for employees, voluntary (around EUR 2,000/year minimum contribution) for non-workers. The dependency chain is rigid — kit postale, codice fiscale, anagrafe, then SSN/bank/everything else — so sequence the first week carefully. Verified against interno.gov.it, agenziaentrate.gov.it and salute.gov.it as of June 2026.
Week 1 — Arrive, Permesso Kit, Codice Fiscale
- Day 1: Customs declaration. Italian SIM (TIM, Vodafone, Iliad, WindTre).
- Days 2-4: Move in. Meter readings + photographs. Confirm utility billing.
- Days 5-7: Submit kit postale for permesso di soggiorno at Poste Italiane Sportello Amico. Bring passport, visa, residency proof, 4 photos, marca da bollo EUR 16, kit fee ~EUR 116.
- Day 7: Get codice fiscale at any Agenzia delle Entrate office (free, same-day). Bring passport. Required for almost everything next.
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See Paid Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
What's most important in my first 30 days in Italy?
Permesso di soggiorno kit within 8 days of arrival (at Poste Italiane Sportello Amico). Codice fiscale ASAP (free, instant). Anagrafe registration at comune within 20 days. SSN enrolment after anagrafe. Bank account opening. Around these, mobile, internet, and school registration if children. The 8-day and 20-day deadlines are strict.
How do I get a codice fiscale?
Free at any Agenzia delle Entrate office, online via SPID/CIE, or at Italian consulate abroad before moving. Bring passport. Same-day issuance. Required for almost everything — bank account opening, employment, healthcare, mobile contracts, rental contracts. Italian consulates abroad often issue codice fiscale before you move — useful for opening Italian bank account or signing rental contract in advance.
How does Italian healthcare (SSN) work for new arrivals?
SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) is Italy's universal public healthcare. Workers automatically enrolled via employer contributions — free access to all SSN clinics and hospitals with small co-payments. Self-employed (autonomi) pay own contributions. Non-workers can voluntary-enrol for approximately EUR 2,000/year. Many residents take private insurance (assicurazione integrativa) for shorter waits and choice of specialist.
When do I get my permesso di soggiorno card?
2-6 weeks after submitting the kit postale. The Questura (police HQ) sends notice for fingerprinting; you appear in person to be fingerprinted. The physical permesso di soggiorno card is collected at the Questura typically 2-4 weeks after fingerprinting. Total timeline from arrival to physical card: 6-12 weeks. The ricevuta from the kit postale submission acts as your interim residence document.
How long does it take to open an Italian bank account?
1-3 weeks. Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, Banco BPM, BPER, Sella foreigner-friendly. Bring permesso di soggiorno ricevuta, codice fiscale, residency certificate, employer letter or proof of funds. Online banks like Hello bank!, Webank, Fineco offer faster online onboarding once codice fiscale is in hand. Conto Corrente fees typically EUR 0-150/year depending on bank and account type.
Can I drive in Italy on my foreign licence?
EU/EFTA licences valid indefinitely. Non-EU/EFTA licences valid for 1 year after residency registration, then convert at Motorizzazione. Italy has reciprocal conversion agreements with select countries — Switzerland, some US states, some others. Outside these agreements, theory + practical tests required (EUR 100-300 total).
When do my children need to start Italian school?
Compulsory schooling from age 6 to 16. Apply at your comune's school office or directly with chosen school. School year starts mid-September. Public schools free; semi-private (paritarie) low fees; private schools EUR 3,000-25,000/year. International schools EUR 10,000-25,000/year. Italian schools generally have Italian-language support for newcomer children.
What is the codice IBAN and do I need it?
IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is your unique Italian bank account identifier — 27 characters starting with IT. Required for: receiving salary deposits, setting up direct debits for utilities, sending and receiving wire transfers. The IBAN is issued when you open your bank account; visible on your monthly statements and online banking. For SEPA bank transfers within Europe, IBAN is sufficient (no need for BIC/SWIFT for SEPA).