How To Create an Italian tax code - Codice Fiscale
The Codice Fiscale is an alpha numeric code which is assigned to all Italians at birth. Anyone who comes to live and work in Italy will need this code too.
Recently a number of readers have been having problems with Italian web sites which require a codice fiscale before certain operations can be carried out. For example, online stores in Italy often request a codice fiscale before a purchase can be completed.
The trouble is, if you are not Italian, or not resident in Italy, you probably will not have one of these codes. So here is how to obtain your very own, unofficial, Italian codice fiscale.
Milan’s Ecopass is back from its Vacation
As Milan crawls slowly back to life after the summer recess, its Ecopass traffic anti-pollution charge comes back on-line.
A map of Milan’s Ecopass zone is shown in the following post.
How to Interpret Italian Street Names
Had or having trouble trying to work out just how Italian street signs work? In that case, this post may help you. Or add to your confusion!
Italy has a lovely habit of naming its streets and roads after well known figures from history, saints and well known areas (to Italians) of Italy. Generally, the people after which some streets are named are Italians, but by no means always. Indeed, we have a street near us which is named after Lord Byron.
As I’m sure you will agree, this method of naming streets is charming. This being the case, you wouldn’t think that such a system might cause problems, but it certainly does, and it is not only hapless tourists who are caught out, but even Italians themselves. Why? You might well ask.
White on White Signs
One of the slight problems with this system is that the street signs, usually small white rectangular marble plaques, are often placed on white walls, generally on corners, but sometimes just after the corner, at about 2.5 to 3 metres above street level. This means they can be difficult to spot at times, if they are there, that is. They may be on one side of a junction, but not on the other. These signs may also be shrouded by greenery, just to add some spice to life. And these signs tend to become cream coloured in time, which makes them yet more difficult to spot, especially at night. Reflective street signs are not common, if indeed they exist here. Reflective signs are used for major destinations, like towns, cities and villages, though.
OK, so seeing and finding the signs can be a problem, but at least they are generally there, and if you know the name of the street, you’ll be fine. Well, not necessarily… Read on, if you are brave enough. Read more
Milan’s Ecopass Goes on Vacation
Milan's Ecopasses
Milan’s Ecopass anti-pollution traffic charge is going to be put on hold throughout August 2008, Milan’s Mayor Moratti has recently promised. Note that this promise has not yet been turned into an official change in Ecopass policy.
This means that those coming to Italy who wish to visit Milan by car will probably not have to worry about how and where to pay this charge.
Be wary, though, of camera controlled areas in the centre of Milan that may well still be restricted to traffic, Ecopass or not.
If you do decide to spend a couple of days in Milan, and you stay in a hotel in the central part of the city, do remember to ask the hotel staff to report the details of your car, rented or not, to the local traffic authorities. This should help you avoid receiving a nice little fine some time later after your vacation here.
This temporary suspension of the Ecopass is a good idea, seeing as Milan is generally deserted in August, so traffic pollution levels will be at a minimum anyway, and not having to worry about these passes may encourage a few tourists to drop in, and maybe check out the vibrant night life down in the Navigli - Canal - area, which is just south of Milan city centre.
Nice move Mrs Moratti!
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