You will receive the plastic card later on (days or, more likely weeks) only if you have not applied for a Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria). If you have applied for a Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) you will receive only that one and it will contain both your health insurance and your Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code).
A Codice Fiscale is the Italian National Identification Number and the Tax Code.
The Codice Fiscale is a unique and personal combination of letters and numbers that identifies any Italian citizen or permanently resident foreigner.
The only valid Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code) is issued directly by the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency) however, since it can be calculated from personal information (full name, date and place of birth), it is not considered private or an official proof of identity.
Moreover it does not contain a picture of the holder (as any other valid ID).
A Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code) is similar to the American Social Security Number (SSN) but be aware that “SSN” in Italy means something completely different.
Getting your personal Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code) is free.
Having an Italian Tax Code does not mean that you have any tax duty per se but it is required for registering with the Italian Health National Service (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), to open a bank account, to collect a payment, to receive a refund of taxes, to rent or buy a home or simply to get a SIM / mobile phone contract (and many other things). It can be used either by showing it or by typing directly the alphanumeric number on the front of the card.
If you decide to use the Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code) to register to the Italian National Health Service (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) the Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) replaces the Tax Code in Italy as it includes both your health insurance and your Codice Fiscale.
The Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) will have the same duration of your permit of stay while the Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code) does not expire.
Having an Italian Tax Code does not mean that you have any tax duty per se but it is required for registering with the Italian Health National Service
Since the Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) and the Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code) are on the same card, even when the Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) expires you can still use it as a Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code).
If you are not in Italy yet you can apply in your home country at any Italian consular office. If you are entering the country with a Visa for employment you already own the tax code since it was issued, together with the visa, by the diplomatic representatives or Italian consulates abroad.
This article was written, curated, and updated by the DoctorsinItaly team, as part of our efforts to share relevant and current information on health and wellness related topics, as well as on life as an expat or traveler in Italy.
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