Studying in Italy: How to Get Your Documents Sworn-Translated and Obtain Your Codice Fiscale Without the Stress

Every year, thousands of international students choose Italian universities for their renowned programmes, affordable tuition fees and the chance to live in one of Europe’s most fascinating countries. But before you can set foot in a lecture hall in Milan, Bologna or Rome, there is a paperwork stage that catches many applicants off guard: your academic and financial documents will often need an official translation into Italian, and you will need an Italian tax identification number, the codice fiscale, before you can enrol, open a bank account or sign a tenancy agreement.

This guide explains exactly what is required, why you cannot always count on your university to handle it for you, and how Globo Studio — a translation and consultancy agency with over 30 years of specialisation in sworn translations — can get your file ready quickly, correctly and with no guesswork.

Why Italian Universities Ask for Sworn Translations

Italian universities and immigration authorities do not accept a do-it-yourself or unofficial translation of your school or financial documents. They generally require a traduzione giurata (sworn translation): a translation whose accuracy the translator formally swears to before an Italian court (Tribunale), a Justice of the Peace (Giudice di Pace) or a notary, which gives it legal validity in Italy. A translation certified by the Italian consulate in the country that issued the document is generally accepted as an alternative. Depending on the country that issued it, the original document may also need legalisation or an Apostille before it is translated.

The documents that most commonly need this treatment include:

• Secondary school diploma and leaving certificate
• Academic transcripts and school reports (pagelle), listing subjects and marks
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree certificates and transcripts, for postgraduate applicants
• Proof of income and financial statements, required for the study visa and for the ISEE Parificato, which is used to calculate reduced tuition fees and eligibility for scholarships
• Birth and family status certificates, where required (for example, for the ISEE Parificato)

Requirements vary slightly by university, region and nationality (EU/EEA students generally face fewer legalisation steps than non-EU students), so it is always worth having a specialist check your specific file rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all list. Note also that many universities, especially for English-taught programmes, accept academic documents issued in English without a translation.

The Codice Fiscale: Small Number, Big Bottleneck

The codice fiscale is Italy’s personal tax identification code — a 16-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Agenzia delle Entrate (the Italian Revenue Agency). It is issued free of charge, but without it you will find it difficult or impossible to:

• Finalise your university enrolment
• Open an Italian bank account
• Sign a rental contract or set up utility contracts
• Register with the national health service (SSN)
• Take out an Italian mobile phone contract or complete your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) application

Many students assume the university’s international office will sort this out automatically. In practice, not every university offers this service, and where it is offered, appointment slots fill up fast, especially in September when thousands of new international students arrive at once. Students without a plan can lose days, or even weeks, waiting for a consulate appointment before departure or queuing at their local Agenzia delle Entrate office after arrival.

How Globo Studio Helps You Get It Right the First Time

Globo Studio has specialised in certified and sworn translation, and in consultancy for international students and professionals, for more than 30 years. We know what Italian universities, consulates and Agenzia delle Entrate offices expect, because we work with these documents every day.

1. Sworn translations in over 40 languages

We provide sworn translations (traduzioni asseverate) of diplomas, transcripts, pagelle and income documentation in more than 40 languages, carried out by qualified translators and sworn before the competent Italian court. Every translation is laid out in the format admissions offices expect, which reduces the risk of a file being sent back for corrections.

2. Fast turnaround when deadlines are tight

University enrolment deadlines and visa appointments are rarely flexible. Our workflow is built for speed without cutting corners: we tell you upfront what a realistic turnaround looks like for your specific document set, and we flag straight away if legalisation or an Apostille needs to be arranged in your home country before we can proceed.

3. Codice fiscale support when your university cannot help

Because many universities cannot guarantee this service to every incoming student, we help you request and obtain your codice fiscale, either before you travel (via the Italian consulate) or once you arrive in Italy, so you are not left waiting in a queue during your first week in the country. The code itself is free; our service covers the guidance, the paperwork and the appointment.

4. Real consultancy, not just paperwork

Beyond translation, our team advises you on the full sequence: which documents need an Apostille versus consular legalisation, whether you need a Dichiarazione di Valore or a CIMEA statement of comparability, and in what order to request each document so that no step holds up another. Thirty years of working in this field allow us to give this guidance with confidence.

A Simple Order of Operations

While every case is different, most non-EU students preparing to study in Italy follow roughly this sequence:

1. Gather original diplomas, transcripts and financial documents, and check which need an Apostille or legalisation in your home country.
2. Have the documents sworn-translated into Italian by a specialist agency and, where required, request the Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA statement.
3. Complete university pre-enrolment (preiscrizione) on the Universitaly portal and apply for the student visa at the Italian consulate.
4. Request the codice fiscale, either at the consulate before departure or at the Agenzia delle Entrate on arrival in Italy.
5. Within eight days of arriving in Italy, apply for your study residence permit (permesso di soggiorno per studio).
6. Complete enrolment, register for healthcare and, where relevant, apply for the ISEE Parificato for reduced tuition fees and scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a sworn translation, or is a certified translation enough?

Italy does not recognise a generic “certified translation” issued by a translator or agency on its own authority. For university enrolment, Italian authorities accept either a sworn translation (traduzione giurata) made in Italy or a translation certified as accurate by the Italian consulate or embassy in the country that issued the document. Always check with the specific university, as requirements can differ slightly between institutions.

Can I get my codice fiscale before I arrive in Italy?

Yes, and it is free. Non-EU students can normally request it through the Italian consulate in their home country when applying for the study visa. If this was not done in advance, it can also be requested directly at an Agenzia delle Entrate office once you are in Italy.

How long does a sworn translation take?

It depends on the number and type of documents and whether legalisation or an Apostille is still outstanding. Ask for a specific estimate based on your own documents and your university’s deadline, rather than relying on a generic timeframe.

Which languages does Globostudio work with?

We provide sworn translations into and from more than 40 languages, covering the vast majority of nationalities applying to Italian universities each year.

Ready to Start Your Application?

If you are preparing to study in Italy and want your diplomas, transcripts and financial documents translated correctly the first time, and want support in obtaining your codice fiscale, Globostudio is ready to help. With over 30 years of specialisation in sworn translation and consultancy for international students, we take the guesswork, and the queueing, out of the process.

Get in touch with Globostudio today to have your documents reviewed and receive a clear, personalised checklist for your university application.