Opening a bank account
Although I didn't think it was possible, I was told that I could open a bank account without residency and without a codice fiscale, the code that identifies who you are, the nearest UK equivalent would be the National Insurance number. I therefore telephoned a few banks and explained the situation in the best Italian I could. I seemed to have success with the Banca di Roma when the response to my question Would it be possible to open a bank account with yourselves without residency and without a codice fiscale, was Yes, anything is possible with the Banca di Roma! I was encouraged by this and therefore decided to take along my passport and a bit of cash and go and speak to them in person.
When I arrived and spoke to the first gentleman I could find that looked as if he wanted to talk to me (the first man I saw put his head down as I approached giving me the impression I should talk to someone else!), he took my passport and went to ask a colleague, a younger lady with long blonde wavy hair. It seemed to cause much debate amongst them, so much so that another colleague, a tall thin man who I'd seen outside the bank as I entered having a cigarette, decided to join in the discussion. I was called over and told that yes they could open an account for me, however I would need a codice fiscale first!
A sense of humour is essential when living in Italy ....!