Opening an Italian Bank Account: A Student Guide

Why You Need an Account

An Italian or EU bank account makes rent, scholarship payments and daily life much easier. The DSU scholarship and many landlords pay or take money only by bank transfer (bonifico).

Traditional vs Online Banks

Traditional banks such as Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit and BPER offer student accounts and physical branches. Online banks and fintechs like Revolut, N26 or Wise let you open an account from your phone in minutes — useful while you wait for documents.

Documents to Bring

Most banks ask for your passport, codice fiscale, proof of address or enrollment, and sometimes your residence permit receipt. A student account is usually free of monthly fees.

Get Your Codice Fiscale First

You cannot open a full account without a codice fiscale, so sort that out early. An online account can bridge the gap in the meantime.

Plan Your Budget

Compare living costs across cities on our university map and rankings before you choose where to bank. For a full move-in checklist, read the FAQ or get the PDF guide.