The language of official paperwork can be dense, confusing and very different to everyday Italian, which is why even native speakers often have issues deciphering it.

But memorising at least some of Italy’s official jargon can make it significantly easier to navigate the country’s notorious bureaucracy.

Here are some essential words to know before you fill in an application form. 

Documents 

Certificato – Certificate

You’ll find this in most types of Italian paperwork. 

For instance, you may be required to provide a certificato di residenza (residency certificate), which proves that you live at a certain address in a certain municipality (comune).

Or you may need a certificato di idoneità sportiva non agonistica (certificate of fitness), which is released by a doctor and proves that you can play a certain sport or go to the gym.

Dichiarazione – Declaration

If you live or generate income in Italy, you may have already filed an Italian dichiarazione dei redditi (tax return).

But you may also have been asked to sign an autodichiarazione (self-declaration) to declare that some personal circumstances or features that are not verifiable through original certificates or public registers are true. 

Busta paga – Payslip 

When completing official matters that require proof of income, you may be asked for your latest payslips, so make sure your company sends them out regularly and keep them handy. 

Contratto – Contract

There are many different types of contracts in Italy, but those that you’re likely to come across more often are related to work and renting property.

There’s a range of work contracts (contratti di lavoro) in Italy, but the more common ones are contratto a tempo determinato (fixed-term contract) and contratto a tempo indeterminato (permanent contract).

As for contratti d’affitto (rental contracts), tenants in Italy have access to a range of agreements – from a contratto breve per uso turistico (short holiday let) to a contratto transitorio (transitory contract), which lasts up to 18 months, to a contratto ordinario a canone libero (negotiated rental agreement), which covers four years of tenancy plus the option to add another four.

Nulla osta – Clearance

There are several types of nulla osta in Italy, one of which is issued to people looking to move to Italy on a work visa.

READ ALSO: What work visas can you apply for to move to Italy in 2024?

This entry clearance, which is requested by Italian employers and released by Italian immigration authorities, essentially authorises non-EU nationals to apply for a work visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in their home country.

Another type of nulla osta – nulla osta per matrimonio di cittadini stranieri (certificate of no impediment for the marriage of foreign nationals) – is a requirement for foreign nationals planning to marry in Italy which proves that they’re not already married.

It is released by the foreign national’s embassy or consulate in Italy.

Marca da bollo – Revenue stamp 

Often purchased at tobacco shops (tabaccherie) or post offices, a marca da bollo is used to validate public deeds and documents. 

Though it has been replaced by digital services in some public administration sectors, it is still required for many official forms. 

Personal details 

Nome – First name

Cognome – Surname

Data di nascita – Date of birth

Luogo di nascita – Place of birth

Nazionalità – Nationality

Indirizzo di residenza – Address

Via – Street name

Numero civico – House or building number.

Città – City.

Provincia – Province. This is usually abbreviated and written in brackets. An example is (RM) for Roma.

CAP (codice di avviamento postale) – Postcode.

Please note: when writing your address in Italy, the name of the street comes before the house number (unlike in the UK and US, for instance). 

Codice Fiscale (often abbreviated to CF) – Tax Code 

This is a personal identification number similar to a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US or National Insurance Number (NIN) in the UK.

However, it’s not just used for employment or paying taxes.

The code is essential for a range of everyday activities, including opening a bank account or buying property. You’ll even need to enter it when making some online purchases.

Contact details 

Numero di telefono – Phone number

You’ll generally be asked to provide a numero fisso (landline) if available, or your numero di cellulare (mobile number).

Italian landline numbers start with the digit 0 and are 6 to 11 digits long. 

Mobile telephone numbers start with the digit 3 and are generally 10 digits long. Italy’s country code is +39.

Indirizzo email – Email address 

Please note that Italy has a particular kind of certified email named PEC (Posta Elettronica Certificata) which holds the same legal value as a physical lettera raccomandata (registered letter).

You can use a PEC account to send and receive messages to public administration bodies, law enforcement agencies and tax authorities, as well as work clients or your own employer. 

Work details 

Occupazione – Occupation. There are generally several options listed on official forms in Italy.

Lavoro impiegato – Employed work

Datore di lavoro – Employer

Lavoro indipendente/autonomo – Self-employment

Studente – Student

Pensionato – Retiree

Disoccupato – Unemployed

Marital status

You may have to specify your marital status (stato civile) on some Italian forms. These are the options generally given:

Celibe/nubile – Unmarried for men, unmarried for women

Coniugato/a – Married

Vedovo/a – Widowed

Divorziato/a – Divorced

Unione civile – Civil union

The final touches

All official documents require your signature (firma) or electronic signature (firma elettronica), as well as date and place (data e luogo).