How to Get a Codice Fiscale in Naples
A simple step-by-step guide for EU and non-EU Erasmus students, with the most practical route from Naples Historic Centre.
What is an Italian tax code (codice fiscale)?
The Italian tax code (codice fiscale in Italian) is your personal identification code in Italy. It contains 16 letters and numbers and is issued and certified by the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate).
It is not a tax or a payment. Applying for it is free, it does not expire, and it is not the same as the Italian health card (Tessera Sanitaria).
What is it used for?
As an Erasmus student, you will commonly be asked for your Italian tax code (codice fiscale) to:
- complete university administration;
- open an Italian bank account;
- sign a rental, phone or internet contract;
- register with the Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale — SSN);
- complete residence, employment or other official procedures.
Is it compulsory for Erasmus students?
Not simply because you are an Erasmus student. However, the Italian tax code (codice fiscale) is required for specific official procedures and is practically essential for everyday student life. The safest option is to obtain it as early as possible after arriving in Naples, or through your university if it offers this service.
Quick answer: first check whether your university can request it for you. If it cannot, you can apply directly to the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) in Naples using form AA4/8.
Before you start: check your university documents, Universitaly profile, visa or residence-permit paperwork, and ask your International Office. Never apply for a second codice fiscale if one has already been assigned. If a code already exists, request an official certificate or correction; a code produced by an online calculator is not proof of official assignment.
Step 1: ask your university in Naples
This is often the easiest route.
Federico II students
The University of Naples Federico II's International Welcome Desk can submit the request to the Revenue Agency for Erasmus, exchange and international students. Use the International Welcome Desk app and upload:
- passport or national identity card;
- admission letter or Erasmus confirmation email;
- a photo of your handwritten signature on a blank sheet;
- your visa, if you are a non-EU student.
The university warns that processing may take a few weeks. Follow the official Federico II instructions.
L'Orientale students
The University of Naples L'Orientale states that its international-student support service assists incoming students with codice fiscale requests. Contact the International Office or ISU before applying yourself. See the official L'Orientale incoming-student information.
Or request it yourself: if your university does not submit the application, continue with the direct procedure below. Do not start a second request if your university has already applied for you.
Step 2: choose your route
I am an EU, EEA or Swiss student
Apply through your university service or directly to the Agenzia delle Entrate with form AA4/8. You do not need an Italian residence permit for this request.
Prepare:
- completed and signed form AA4/8 — see the illustrated example in Step 3;
- valid passport or national identity card valid for foreign travel;
- a copy of that document;
- Erasmus acceptance letter, enrolment confirmation or another document showing why you need the code.
I am a non-EU student
First consider the length and legal basis of your stay.
- More than 90 days: you normally apply for a study residence permit within eight working days of arrival. For study permits, the codice fiscale is assigned through the Questura procedure. Ask your university whether it is already handling the code and check your permit documents before making another request.
- Up to 90 days, or no Italian residence-permit procedure applies: request the code through your university or directly from the Agenzia delle Entrate with form AA4/8.
- You applied for the permit but have not received the code: ask your International Office first; if it is still missing, contact the Agenzia delle Entrate.
For a direct request, prepare:
- completed and signed form AA4/8;
- valid passport and a copy;
- visa, when required;
- valid residence permit or application receipt, if already available;
- Erasmus acceptance or enrolment confirmation.
Residence-permit fees are separate; the codice fiscale itself is free. See the official MAECI guidance and the official immigration procedure.
Step 3: fill in form AA4/8
For a normal personal Erasmus application:
- In Quadro A, Section I, tick
D(direct application for yourself). - Enter applicant type
01(non-resident student enrolling in school/university). - In Quadro A, Section II, tick
1(assignment of a tax code). - If you also want the certificate expressly issued, you may tick
4together with1.
Quadro A: tick D, enter 01 and tick box 1. Box 4 is optional if you also want the certificate.
- In Quadro B, copy your name and personal details exactly as shown on your passport or identity card. Do not shorten names or omit a second surname.
- If you were born outside Italy, enter your country of birth and write
EEin the province field.
Quadro B: copy your identity details exactly. If you were born abroad, write the country—not the city—and enter EE as the province.
- If you are not resident in Italy, complete Quadro D — Foreign residence in full.
Quadro D: complete every field with your home-country address if you remain resident outside Italy.
- List the documents attached to the application.
- Add the date and sign the form. An unsigned form is invalid.
List the documents you are submitting, add the date and sign. Complete the delegation area only if another person will submit the form for you.
The official instructions require special characters to be transliterated into Latin characters; for example,
Müller becomes Mueller. Read the official AA4/8 instructions if your name contains special characters or your situation is unusual.Step 4: submit the request in Naples
You have two practical options.
Option A — Go to the office
For students living in or near the Historic Centre, the most practical central office is usually:
Agenzia delle Entrate — Napoli 1 Territorial Office
Via Guglielmo Oberdan 3, 80134 Napoli
Service: Codice fiscale, Tessera sanitaria e Partita IVA
Book your appointment here:
official appointment service
When Napoli 1 has no availability, the official system allows you to choose another territorial office; the service can be provided by any Agenzia delle Entrate territorial office.
Find another Agenzia delle Entrate office in Campania
Before going, check that the office offers Assistenza fiscale.
Bring:
- the original identity document and a photocopy;
- the completed and signed AA4/8 form;
- your Erasmus or university confirmation;
- for non-EU students, the visa and permit or application receipt when applicable;
- your appointment confirmation.
Confirm the address and access arrangements before leaving, because office information can change.
Option B — Apply by ordinary email or PEC
The Revenue Agency also accepts a signed AA4/8 form and identity document by ordinary email or certified email (PEC). Use the current address shown in the official regional office contacts rather than an address copied from an old forum or social-media post.
Attach separate, readable PDF files:
- signed AA4/8 form;
- passport or identity card;
- Erasmus acceptance or enrolment confirmation;
- for non-EU students, visa and residence-permit document or receipt when applicable.
Suggested subject:
Codice fiscale request – Erasmus student – Name SurnameSuggested message:
The office sends the certificate to the email or PEC address used for the request. The official rules do not guarantee a single national processing time, so apply early and avoid claims that it will always be issued the same day. See the Revenue Agency's official email procedure.
Step 5: check what you receive
You should receive an official certificate showing your 16-character codice fiscale. Check immediately that your name, date and country of birth match your identity document.
Keep the PDF and a printed copy. If any detail is wrong, or if you discover that two different codes have been assigned, contact an Agenzia delle Entrate office and request a correction.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying again when a code has already been assigned.
- Using a code generated by an online calculator as if it were official.
- Copying a shortened name or omitting part of a double surname.
- Writing the city instead of the foreign country in the birth-place field, contrary to the AA4/8 instructions.
- Forgetting
EEin the province field for a foreign birth. - Leaving Section D blank when you are resident abroad.
- Sending an unsigned form or unreadable photos.
- Confusing the codice fiscale certificate with the Italian health card.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The official assignment is free. You do not need to pay an intermediary.
There is no guaranteed processing time. A university-managed request may take a few weeks; email and office timing depends on workload and appointment availability.
Foreign residents may ask the Italian consulate responsible for their place of residence. Consulates use different procedures, so check that consulate's official website before sending documents.
No. It is not tied to the length of your Erasmus stay or residence permit.
No. The codice fiscale identifies you; the health card also depends on your registration with the Italian National Health Service.
Yes, form AA4/8 includes a delegation section. The delegate must bring their own valid identity document, a copy of yours, the signed form and the documents supporting the request. Ask the chosen office in advance if a special power of attorney is required for a delegation made abroad.
Protect your personal data. Never post your passport, codice fiscale, visa, address or other personal documents publicly.
Procedures can change; official agencies and your host university remain the final authority for your individual case.
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