Tax Code for Newborns: Complete Guide 2025

When is Tax Code Needed for a Newborn

The Codice Fiscale (Tax Code) for a newborn is needed almost immediately after birth. It's the child's first identification document in the Italian system and is required for:

• 🏥 Registration with SSN - National Health Service
• 👨‍⚕️ Choosing a pediatrician
• 📋 Civil registration at the municipality
• 💰 Applying for bonuses and benefits (birth bonus, single allowance)
• 📝 Parents' tax returns (dependent child)
• 💳 Opening a bank account or savings book
• ✈️ Travel documents (passport, ID card)

Automatic Procedure at Birth

Thanks to integration between hospitals, municipalities, and the Revenue Agency, the Tax Code is attributed automatically in most cases:

Required Documents

If the automatic process doesn't work or you need to request the Tax Code manually:

For the birth declaration:

• ✅ Birth certificate issued by the hospital
• ✅ Identity documents of both parents
• ✅ Tax Codes of the parents
• ✅ Marriage certificate (if married) or recognition (if unmarried)

For separate Tax Code request (if necessary):

• ✅ Birth certificate of the child
• ✅ Form AA4/8 completed (available at the Revenue Agency)
• ✅ Identity document of the requesting parent

Where to Request the Newborn's Tax Code

1. Directly at the Hospital (recommended)

Most Italian hospitals have an internal registry office that handles everything: birth declaration and automatic Tax Code request.

2. Municipality Registry Office

If you prefer or if the birth occurred outside the hospital (e.g., home birth), you can go to your municipality's registry office within 10 days of birth.

3. Revenue Agency

Only if the Tax Code was not automatically attributed, you can request it at anyRevenue Agencyoffice.

Newborn's Health Card

Once the Tax Code is assigned, the newborn will automatically receive the Health Card(Tessera Sanitaria) at the residence address. The card:

• Arrives by mail within 15-20 days of Tax Code attribution
• Contains the Tax Code in barcode format
• Is valid as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
• Is valid for 6 years for minors

While waiting for the physical card, you can use the provisional certificatewith just the tax code for initial pediatric visits.

Complete Timelines

Choosing a Pediatrician

With the Tax Code you can register the newborn with SSN and choose a family pediatrician:

1. Go to your local ASL (Local Health Authority)
2. Present the child's Tax Code and your document
3. Choose a pediatrician from the list of available ones in your area
4. Registration is immediate

The family pediatrician is free and assists the child from birth until 14 years (extendable to 16 in some cases).

Special Cases

Unmarried parents

If the parents are not married, both must be present for the birth declaration, or one must have a written authorization from the other.

Foreign parents

Newborns of foreign parents born in Italy still receive an Italian Tax Code. The place of birth in the Tax Code will be the Italian municipality where the birth occurred.

Home birth

For births occurring outside healthcare facilities, a birth assistance certificateissued by the midwife or doctor present is required.

Adoption

In case of adoption, the Tax Code is attributed (or modified) when the adoption decree is transcribed in the civil status registers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Late declaration: Respect the 3/10 day deadlines
2. Misspelled name: Carefully verify the name spelling
3. Incomplete documents: Bring all required documents
4. Not registering with SSN: Do it immediately to get a pediatrician
5. Losing the health card: Keep it in a safe place

Frequently Asked Questions