Payment slips that you can use to pay bills and fees at the post office or online—often through the pagoPA system.

A prepaid card from Poste Italiane that is particularly popular for online payments.

The Post Office's banking services, including a checking account and an IBAN.

Payment slips that you can use to pay bills and fees at the post office or online—often through the pagoPA system.

A prepaid card from Poste Italiane that is particularly popular for online payments.

The Post Office's banking services, including a checking account and an IBAN.

Poste Italiane: Mail, Packages, and Services at a Glance

Q: How do I send a package?

Through the postal delivery services at the post office or online. For international shipments, you must provide a description of the contents and their value.

Q: How does the post office work?

You take a ticket (eliminacode) from the machine. The office is often open only in the morning.

Q: Can I receive SPID by mail?

Yes, with PosteID. Identity verification takes place, among other places, at the counter at the post office.

Q: Will I receive my pension in the mail?

Yes, pensions can be paid out or withdrawn through Poste Italiane.

Q: What is the structure of an Italian address?

Name, street, and house number, followed by the ZIP code, city, and province abbreviation.

Q: What are the rules for packages from non-EU countries?

You may be subject to customs duties and import taxes. You must provide details of the contents and value.

Table of contents

The Italian postal service is much more than just letters and packages: At the post office, you can pay bills, collect your pension, or even apply for SPID. This guide explains how Poste Italiane works, what services it offers, and what you should keep in mind as a newcomer to Italy.

Letters and Packages

For shipping, there is the standard letter (letteralso as priority mail) and—most importantly—the registered mail (registered mail with proof of delivery), which is often required for official correspondence, notices of termination, and contracts. Packages (pacchi) you send via the Poste Delivery-Services, including international ones. Each shipment comes with tracking.

How the Post Office Works

At the post office (post office) First, draw a Queue Number at the vending machine (eliminacode). Opening hours are often limited to the morning, and smaller stores in particular can get crowded—so plan ahead and arrive as early as possible.

Navigating Bureaucracy in Italy: An Overview

June 24, 2026

Navigating Bureaucracy in Italy: marca da bollo, autocertificazione, PEC, and SPID; the process at the registry office (anagrafe); and how to get through it with patience and the right documents.

Bills and Government Services

One of the key services is the bulletins – Payment slips that you can use to pay bills, fees, and dues at the counter or online (often through the system pagoPA). Also Pensions can be paid out through Poste Italiane. Many of these administrative procedures are part of the Italian Bureaucracy – The post office is an important point of contact in this regard.

Digital and Finance

PostePay: a popular prepaid card for online payments.
BancoPosta: The Post Office's banking services, including a checking account and an IBAN.
Postal ID: Here's how to SPID Via Poste Italiane—identity verification takes place, among other places, at the counter.

Tips for Expats

The Italian Address is structured as follows: Name, via (Street) and house number, then CAP (ZIP code), city, and province abbreviation. For packages from the Non-EU countries Customs duties and import taxes may apply—with details of the contents and value. A mail forwarding request can be helpful when moving.

What You Need to Do Next

Find your nearest post office and its hours of operation, download the tracking app, and see if PostePay, BancoPosta, or PosteID (for SPID) are right for you. For important correspondence with government agencies, it’s best to send it via raccomandata with proof of delivery.