Guide

Codice fiscale for foreign nationals and people born abroad

By Codice Fiscale Pro Team · Published on October 5, 2026

How does the codice fiscale work for people born abroad?

The layout is identical: surname, first name, year, month, day and sex, place, check letter. Only the place changes: it holds the code of the country of birth, written as a Z plus three digits. Example: John Brown, born in the United States on 3 November 1985, has BRWJHN85S03Z404I (an example person). Codes from the list of the Agenzia delle Entrate:

How do you get a codice fiscale as a foreign national?

It depends on your situation, as the Agenzia delle Entrate brochure “Codice fiscale stranieri” (in Italian, 2023 edition) explains.

• EU citizens who plan to stay in Italy submit form AA4/8 to a local Agenzia office, with a valid passport or an identity card valid for travel abroad. They can also ask at the Italian consulate in their country.
• Non-EU citizens arriving in Italy: the immigration desk (Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione) in each Prefecture assigns the code to people applying for a permit for employment or family reunification, and the police headquarters (Questura) for other permits. The immigration desk first gives a numeric provisional code, and the definitive one comes with the residence permit. With the Questura the definitive code comes at once.
• International protection: the Questura or the border police assigns the code when the application is submitted.
• Unaccompanied or irregular minors: the Agenzia assigns the code on the request of the local health authority (ASL) that must enrol the minor.
• Ukrainian refugees: the Questura issues the definitive code when the application for a temporary permit is filed.
• Legally resident in Italy without a code: apply at any Agenzia office with a signed form AA4/8 and a valid identity document. The request must be justified.

Foreign nationals who do not live in Italy can, according to the Italian Foreign Ministry pages (in Italian), delegate a person to file the request at an Agenzia office in Italy. Italian citizens registered abroad (AIRE) go through the consulate.

Which documents does the AA4/8 request need?

The accepted documents are a valid residence permit; a valid passport with a visa where required, or another document recognised by the Italian authorities; a proof of identity issued by the diplomatic or consular representation in Italy of the country of origin; or an Italian identity card. The form and its instructions are on the Agenzia delle Entrate site.

What happens if two people have the same data?

If the data of two or more people produce the same code, the immigration desk or the Questura invites the person to an Agenzia office, which issues the definitive code after a check. A provisional code is valid in the meantime. This is the case explained in the guide what is omocodia.

Where does the code arrive and how long is it valid?

According to the brochure, the code is sent by ordinary mail to the address of residence for residents, or to the tax domicile given in the request for non-residents. Only the code issued and certified by the Agenzia delle Entrate is valid, and it does not expire. EU citizens use the Italian health service with the European Health Insurance Card of their country of residence.

How are names with accents, several surnames or non-Latin letters written?

Use the spelling on your identity document. Only letters of the alphabet count: accents, apostrophes, spaces and hyphens are ignored, and an accented letter counts as the base letter. With several surnames, they are read from left to right as one surname, as this description of the rule (in Italian) puts it. If your name is spelled differently on two documents, the official code can differ from the calculated one.

Does the online calculation match the official code?

Often not for people born abroad, because name transliterations and country names can vary. Pmi.it (in Italian) names birth abroad among the cases where the result may not match. Use our calculator as a starting point, then compare the code with your health card or the Agenzia delle Entrate verification service. Our list has 249 current states, so a state that has ceased to exist may be missing.

Sources

• Agenzia delle Entrate (in Italian): brochure “Codice fiscale stranieri”, routes, documents and delivery.
• Italian Foreign Ministry (in Italian): non-residents and Italians registered abroad.
• Pmi.it (in Italian): cases where the calculation may not match.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate the codice fiscale if I was born abroad?

Calculate it like anyone else, but use the code of the country of birth instead of a municipality. It starts with Z, for example Z404 for the United States or Z114 for the United Kingdom.

Can a foreign citizen get a codice fiscale?

Yes. EU citizens can apply with form AA4/8 at an Agenzia delle Entrate office. For non-EU citizens the immigration desk or the police headquarters assigns it, depending on the residence permit. Anyone legally staying in Italy without a code can apply at any Agenzia office.

How do I write a name with accents or non-Latin letters?

Use the spelling on your identity document, such as the passport. Accents count as the base letter, while apostrophes, spaces and hyphens are ignored.

What if my country of birth is not in the list?

The list holds current states. For states that no longer exist or changed name, ask the Agenzia delle Entrate which code was used.

Related guides

• How the Codice Fiscale Is Calculated | Codice Fiscale Pro: The rules for surname, first name, date, place and check letter, with worked examples.
• Belfiore Code: What It Is and How to Find It | Codice Fiscale Pro: The place-of-birth code for municipalities and countries, with real examples.
• How to Find Your Codice Fiscale | Codice Fiscale Pro: Where it is printed, how to recover it, and when a calculation is not enough.
• Common Codice Fiscale Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | Codice Fiscale Pro: The most frequent mistakes in hand calculation and online tools.