12 short answers to questions from relocation chats about Italy. Compiled from community experience and our own articles: figures and fees change, so verify the current details on official sites. This is not legal advice.
Updated: 2026-09-13
Per community experience there is no single answer - policies change and depend on the branch. Positive reports most often mention Banca Sella, BPER and small regional banks, with BancoPosta and the PostePay Evolution card as a fallback. Everyone asks for the codice fiscale. If refused, people try another branch or another bank - it works.
Per community experience most classic banks do not accept the ricevuta and wait for the plastic permesso, often also an ID card with residenza. Accounts have been opened on the ricevuta at BancoPosta and individual branches, but it is a lottery. Early on, e-money services with an Italian IBAN that accept the D visa and codice fiscale help out.
Per the community the right to a basic payment account is enshrined in Italian banking law: banks, including Poste Italiane, must offer a conto di base to consumers legally residing in the EU. If refused over citizenship, the working tactic is a written conto di base request, a written motivated refusal and a complaint to UNAR or Banca d Italia.
Per the community a direct transfer from a Russian bank to an Italian one effectively does not work. The working routes are via an account in a friendly country (SWIFT from there), stablecoin exchanges sold for euro with verified counterparties, and direct person-to-person swaps. All paths are slow and carry risks; keep proof of the origin of funds.
Per the community monthly ceilings apply to foreign currency transfers to accounts abroad, and the central bank periodically extends and changes them; ruble transfers usually have no amount cap. Cash above the dollar-equivalent threshold must be declared on the way out. The bank may request currency-control documents. Check the current limits before transferring.
Under EU rules cash from 10,000 euro (or equivalent) per person must be declared at the border - silence brings fines and seizure. Inside Italy, per the community, the cash payment threshold between parties is 5,000 euro (payments up to 4,999.99 inclusive); above that only transfer, card or cheque. The thresholds change periodically.
Per the community often yes: people opened Revolut and Wise with a long-term D visa, passport and codice fiscale, and got a virtual card right away. But it is not guaranteed - the same service refuses some people or asks for proof of address. Note: some landlords and services insist on a proper Italian IBAN.
Per the community a mortgage (mutuo) is in principle available to a foreigner with a permit, but banks look at stable Italian income, residency history and the down payment - non-residents and newcomers get refused more often, and Russian citizenship adds friction due to sanctions checks. Terms vary widely by bank - shop around and check the current conditions.
No law forbids it - the bank decides. Per community experience chances improve with a permanent contract past probation, 1-2+ years in Italy, residenza and a history with an Italian bank; permesso UE lungo periodo holders have it easier. Standard practice: a loan up to 80% of the value (LTV) and a payment within ~30-35% of net income. Russian citizens should expect extra source-of-funds checks. Estimate the rata and deal taxes with our calculator - a guide, not advice.
Yes: an assigned pension stays, the SFR pays it in rubles to a Russian bank account. Then the logistics start: a yearly appearance at a Russian consulate (the proof-of-life certificate), Russian cards not working in Italy and difficult transfers to the EU. Russian work history does not count toward an Italian pension - no agreement is in force. Check the rules on sfr.gov.ru - this is not legal advice.
From community experience, trade on the P2P marketplace of a regulated exchange through built-in escrow, never release the asset first, start with a small test amount, and check the counterparty's platform rating. Safer than a direct deal with a person is a crypto card or a cashout to your own IBAN. See the guide on P2P without scams. This is not financial advice.
It's when, after you sell crypto and release the asset, the sender cancels or disputes the transfer and the money is clawed back while your crypto is already gone. The defense is payment only from a personal account of the same name, no third parties, and never releasing escrow before real crediting, not on a screenshot. This is not financial advice.
This theme also has 12 community questions from the chats, answered by members: Community questions: Banks and money
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