Best options for non-resident bank accounts in Italy
In Italy, it is possible to open a bank account even if you are not a resident of the country. The option of a non-resident bank account is very useful for people who are moving only temporarily, such as university students or anyone who does not spend more than six consecutive months a year in Italy.
This type of bank account is not a service offered by all banks, as it is usually necessary to provide a residential address and tax code to open an account. However, there are several banks in Italy that have decided to grant this option to non-residents as well. To make your search easier, in this article we have collected some of the best current account options for nonresidents.
Perks of a checking account for non-residents
Let’s make one thing clear right away: it is not mandatory to open a bank account if you are moving to Italy momentarily. Many digital nomads or people who travel often not staying stable in one place use prepaid cards or international bank accounts. The latter are online accounts with European IBANs, such as Wise or Revolut, that allow you to operate in different currencies.
However, if you plan to move to Italy for a longer or shorter period of time, opening a local bank account is useful for several reasons:
- Makes everyday operations (such as receiving and sending wire transfers) easier;
- helps manage recurring expenses (such as paying rent and bills);
- Allows salary crediting, in case you receive a monthly salary.
Italian banks offering current accounts for non-residents
The major Italian banks offering nonresident accounts in 2025 are:
- Fineco
- Ethical Bank
- Unicredit
Fineco current account for non-residents
Fineco Bank makes available to non-residents the Fineco Non-Resident Account. This is a zero-interest current account reserved for individuals not resident in Italy.
As is the case with most nonresident checking accounts, the banking services granted are limited. The Fineco Non-Resident account does not allow:
- The application for credit cards;
- The granting of the check convention;
- The granting of personal loans;
- the ability to perform deposit transactions at ATMs eligible for the function and deposit/withdrawal transactions at UniCredit branches.
In addition, opening this current account cannot be done independently online, but it is necessary to rely on a Fineco financial advisor.
Banca Etica current account for non-residents
Banca Etica‘s Foreign Account is accessible by nonresidents of Italy, includes the Banca Etica International debit card, and allows collections and payments with foreign countries in euros.
Regarding the deposit of cash, special forms must be submitted declaring the source of the money.
Unicredit current account for non-residents
Unicredit offers nonresidents the Conto di Base, a current account with limited operations but with favorable terms, also provided for nonresidents legally residing in Italy (especially EU citizens).
The monthly fee is €4, but is not charged if the customer has an ISEE of less than €11,600, or if they are pensioners or refugees.
Is it worth opening a checking account for non-residents of Italy?
As you may have noticed, there are some differences between regular checking accounts and non-resident checking accounts. The non-resident checking account generally has higher fees and the higher management costs.
Many non-residents wonder whether it really pays to open a traditional bank account in Italy. It must be taken into account that:
- Many Italian banks charge a fixed annual or monthly fee;
- the state charges a stamp tax on current accounts (€34.20 per year for individuals with average balances over €5,000);
- many typical banking services are not available to nonresidents (credit cards, checks, loans, etc.).
For this reason, if you do not have specific needs for an account with an Italian IBAN, it may be more convenient to use international instruments such as Wise or Revolut, which do not charge stamp duty and offer lower management costs.
Alternatives to checking account for non-residents: international checking accounts
If you decide not to open a checking account in Italy, you can consider using international accounts with European IBAN and debit card, such as:
- N26
- Revolut
- Wise
These alternatives are particularly useful for those staying only temporarily in Italy because they do not require complex paperwork and often allow you to reduce your operating expenses. The Wise account, for example, is a multi-currency account, which allows you to manage money in different currencies and easily move your money from dollars to euros within the same checking account.
