Di Setting up an internet connection or a mobile plan in your new Italian home is straightforward once you have the right paperwork ready. Most providers ask for the same short list of documents, whether you are signing up for fibre, ADSL, fixed wireless or a SIM-only mobile offer.
Below is the full checklist used by our English-speaking Selectra advisors when they activate contracts on behalf of expats and newcomers. Keep these documents within reach before you call a provider, and the whole process should take only a few minutes.
1. Codice Fiscale (Italian tax ID)
The single most important document is the Codice Fiscale, the Italian tax identification number. It is a 16-character alphanumeric code that identifies you to the public administration and to any private company you sign a contract with, internet and mobile providers included.
Without a Codice Fiscale, no Italian operator will be able to activate a contract in your name. You can apply for one free of charge with the Agenzia delle Entrate (the Italian Revenue Agency), either at one of their local offices or through the Italian embassy in your country of origin.
2. ID card or passport
Have a valid ID card or passport ready. Italian providers are required by law to verify the identity of every new customer, so you will need to send a scan or a photo of the document during the sign-up process.
3. Proof of residence or residence permit
If you plan to live in Italy long-term, you will be asked for the address of your new home and, eventually, your certificate of residence (certificato di residenza), issued by the Comune (municipality) where you live.
If you come from a non-EU country, you also need to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno). More information is available on the Italian Ministry of the Interior website. The procedure can take several weeks, so it is a good idea to start it as soon as you arrive.
4. Contact information
When you stipulate a contract, providers will ask for your contact details:
- a valid email address;
- a personal mobile number;
- the full address of the home you want to connect.
Some operators require an Italian mobile number to validate the activation. If you do not have one yet, Selectra advisors can guide you through a SIM-only plan and ship the SIM card directly to your new address.
No Italian phone number yet?
We can send a SIM card directly to your new home address. Call us today or request a free callback from our English-speaking Selectra advisors.
5. Bank account details (IBAN)
If you want to pay your bills by direct debit, you will need to provide your IBAN. Italian providers accept any SEPA-area IBAN, so you can use an account from your home country as long as it falls within the European SEPA zone.
Some operators, such as Fastweb, explicitly accept foreign IBANs, which is useful if you have just arrived and have not opened an Italian bank account yet. Credit card payments are usually accepted as an alternative.
Quick checklist before you call a provider
| Document | Why it is required |
|---|---|
| Codice Fiscale | Mandatory for any contract signed in Italy. |
| ID card or passport | Identity verification required by Italian law. |
| Residence certificate or permit | Proof that you live at the address to be connected. |
| Contact details | Email, mobile number and full home address. |
| IBAN (SEPA) | Needed if you choose direct debit (foreign IBANs accepted). |
Let Selectra activate your plan in English
Comparing Italian internet and mobile offers can be tricky when you are new in the country and not fluent in Italian. Our advisors will walk you through the documents, recommend the right plan for your address and your usage, and complete the sign-up on the phone.
The service is free, with no obligation. Call us at 06 9480 8089 or request a free callback at a time that suits you.