philat98

Thanks for that Clint.

PSG2014

Excellent................I've had a quick look, the only issue seems to be getting certain info sorted 'quickly' such as :

if applying from outside the UK but within the EU, you’ll need to provide certified proof of your identity and address, translated into English if necessary

Scratch my head time I think !! Not sure what 'certified proof' means.

Thanks to all,

PSG

Geordieborn

In the UK that would be something like going to the post office and paying a small cost. Notary there in Italy? Or will the Poste there do such?

Serrano

I was on the site yesterday. The main page you want to look at is here. From that you can get a pdf document descibing in general terms what they want - it's to be found here. And an FAQ section on certification here. So it looks like they're being rather unrealistic (unless you happen to live in Rome or Milan)

Good luck!!!

philat98

I am just sending a copy of my UK passport and a UK credit card statement. Both certified by my accountant. I think that will do it.

Serrano

OK, you can be the guinea pig. Let us know how it goes please

Lorna at Vicenza

Went in person with my daughter last year. They accepted her Italian ID card and her British passport. I had personally translated the ID card in case anybody asked for a translation even though it wasn't a legal translation, but nobody did. Think we took other things too as extra proof of address like her Italian voter's card and her birth certificate but nothing else was asked for. It was all so very, very easy compared to a lot of things here.

Serrano

Presumably from what you say this was in the UK.

Agreed, that's a completely different kettle of fish, plus the fact that in person they can see that the document is original, that you're the person in it, ask any follow-up questions, etc. None of which can happen when you're working remotely on-line.

Plan B

For those that do need to have translation and/or certification of documents the lists of English or English speaking solicitors and notaries throughout Italy found on this UK Gov page are acceptable to HSBC.

Lorna at Vicenza

True. We were in the UK at the time.

GeorgeYoung

Someone, I think it was Lorna, recommened to me a form from the Agenzia issued in Italian & English, which includes your address. I can't remember exactly what the form is called, something like "attestazione di residenza fiscale". I used it for my UK passport renewal whilst living in Italy and it worked a charm. From memory, it cost the time it took to go to the Agenzia office, plus a marca da bollo of a few EUR. Coming with the Agenzia's stamp & the fact it's issued bilingually as an original, you shouldn't need it to be translated.

Lorna at Vicenza

Bravo, although it was probably 37100 our concierge. I think she's recommended this several times as it is blingual and is called "Attestato Di Residenza Fiscale.

GeorgeYoung

Thank you to 37100 in that case, either way it came in very handy for passport applications.

37100

Italy has finally taken onboard an EU directive on multilingual certificates. A few weeks ago, I obtained a certificate of residency with attached translation. I didn't ask for it, it was offered spontaneously - presumably the staff member saw my birth place. I didn't need it, but took it anyway. At €16.52, a lot dear than the AdE cert, but way easier to obtain.

philat98

I have opened an account with Transferwise.
They give you a sort code and account number for sterling transactions. Also a Mastercard debit card that I have linked to Paypal and Amazon UK. You can pay in Pounds and Euros.
The only thing missing is a credit card.
I think I will forget HSBC until necessary.