jennabet wrote:You must be an Italian citizen or have legal permanent residence in Italy to obtain a Codice Fiscale (similar to Social Security Number). I seem to recall that we have a problem in the USA with non citizens or non-permanent residents obtaining Social Security numbers. Why would anyone think the European Union would encourage such a practice?
Social Security numbers serve quite a different purpose than do Codice Fiscale.
From the Social Security Card application form: "To apply for an original card, you must provide at least two documents to prove age, identity, and U.S. citizenship or current lawful, work-authorized immigration status. If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have DHS work authorization, you must prove that you have a valid non-work reason for requesting a card." (
http://ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf )
Anyone who wants to do any business at all in Italy needs a Codice Fiscale; I understand it is impossible to get a cell phone or open a bank account without one or buy property. Surely non-citizens can open bank accounts and buy property, no?
Codice Fiscale application form, US Embassy Washington DC website (
http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/Am ... dulistica/ ):
AMBASCIATA D’ITALIA IN WASHINGTON
RICHIESTA DEL CODICE FISCALE
Application form for an Italian “Codice Fiscaleâ€