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An expert in corporate and international corporate law. He has many years of experience in establishing and reorganizing companies, supporting M&A transactions, as well as providing legal support for opening and running a business in the EU, Asia, and North America.
Opening a bank account for legal entities in Italy
Opening a bank account for legal entities in Italy is regulated by both national and European legislation.
The main acts that define the rules for opening accounts include:
- “Testo Unico Bancario” (TUB) – Unified Banking Law, which regulates banking activities in Italy, including the procedure for opening accounts, requirements for financial institutions and customer service.
- “Legge Antiriciclaggio” – Anti-Money Laundering Law Banks are required to conduct KYC checks to ensure that the account is not being used for illegal activities.
- GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation (Regolamento Generale sulla Protezione dei Dati). Ensures the confidentiality and security of customers’ personal data when opening accounts.
- European directive PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2). Regulates payment services and promotes transparency of fees and transactions.

The process of opening an account for a legal entity in Italy consists of several stages:
- Preliminary consultation – Choose a bank and contact its representatives for information about terms and requirements.
- Preparation of documents – make sure that all necessary documents are translated and notarized (if necessary).
- Submitting an application – fill out an application for opening an account, provide copies of documents and visit the bank branch in person (some banks allow you to apply online).
- Passing the KYC check – The bank verifies the information provided and identifies the persons authorized to manage the account.
- Account opening – after successful verification, the bank opens an account and provides access to banking services (online banking, corporate cards, etc.).
The procedure can take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the bank and the complexity of the verification.
In Italy, there are leading banks such as UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, Banco BPM, which offer services for legal entities. In addition, you can pay attention to international banks operating in the Italian market.
It is important to pay attention to the terms of service of banks, in particular:
- Availability of multi-currency accounts.
- Transaction and service fees.
- Convenience of online banking and support in English (for non-residents).
Basic steps for opening an account:
- Contact your chosen bank for advice on their services and terms.
- Prepare the necessary documents.
- Apply for an account opening.
- Go through the verification procedure (KYC — know your customer), which includes document and identity verification.
- Get confirmation from the bank about opening an account.
Companies need to provide the following documents to open a bank account in Italy:
- Statute (Statuto della Società).
- Company registration certificate (Visura Camerale).
- Company fiscal number code (Codice Fiscale).
- Documents about directors and shareholders:
- Passport or ID card.
- Tax Code (Codice Fiscale).
- Documents confirming the director’s authority (for example, minutes of the shareholders’ meeting –Verbale dell’Assembla dei Soci.).
- Proof of company activity:
- Contracts, invoices or a business plan that confirm the legality of the transactions.
- Company registration address:
- Document confirming the company’s location (lease agreement, utility bill –Rental Agreementor Utenze intestate alla Società).
- Letters of recommendation:
- In some cases, banks may require letters from other financial institutions or partners – Reference Letters.
All documents must be translated into Italian and, if necessary, notarized.
The cost of opening a bank account in Italy depends on the bank you choose and the type of account.
The main costs include:
- Account opening fee. Usually €100-€300, depending on the bank.
- Monthly maintenance. For business accounts, the fee can range from €10 to €50 per month.
- Additional services. Connecting to online banking, issuing corporate cards, or other services may incur additional costs.
- Legal support. For document preparation and communication with the bank, the cost can be €700-€2000.
Opening a bank account in Italy may be accompanied by the following difficulties:
- Language barrier. Most banks provide services in Italian, so it may be difficult for non-residents to communicate without an interpreter.
- Additional requirements. Banks may require additional documents to confirm the company’s activities or sources of income.
- Long verification process. Document verification and identification can take a long time, especially for non-residents.
- High fees for international transactions. Banks can charge significant fees for foreign currency transactions.
In some cases, opening a traditional bank account may be difficult or impractical.
Alternatives include:
- Fintech solutions: Platforms such as Wise, Revolut or Payoneer offer multi-currency accounts and convenient conditions for international transactions.
- Neobanks: Digital banks, such as N26 or Bunq, offer quick account opening with minimal requirements.
- Payment systems: Using systems like Stripe or PayPal to receive and send payments.
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