How to open a current account? The complete guide

How to open a current account? Opening a current account is convenient for various reasons, from crediting your salary or pension, to direct debit of utilities, from the possibility of sending bank transfers and withdrawing money at any time, to that of using credit cards and debit cards.
The procedure to open it is quite simple, but you need to take some precautions into consideration and know which documents need to be presented at the counter or online to the bank.
Let's see in detail how to open and choose a current account, what documents must be presented, the requirements and costs.
How to open a current account? Complete guide How to open a current account: here's what to do What documents are needed to open a current account? Requirements to open a current account How much does it cost to open a current account? How long does it take to open a checking account? What are the types of current accounts? Online or traditional current account: which one to choose How to open a current account: here's what to do Opening a current account is simple, choosing the bank and above all the offer requires more time and attention.
To choose the best current account and the offer best suited to your needs, it is advisable to: consider your needs and usage habits.
Each offer is designed for a specific need, which is why you need to know what your needs and habits are before moving on to comparing the offers; find out about the offers available on the market and read the information documents made available by the banking institution; prefer the current account that offers the service we need most for free or at a lower price, such as the bank transfer or withdrawal service; compare prices based on the total annual cost of the account.
It is advisable to compare all price items, from the cost of the debit card and credit card to that of bank transfers and checkbooks to have a realistic evaluation parameter.
In fact, there are different types of bank accounts and each bank offers different contracts at different prices; evaluate whether it is more convenient to open an account online, which can be managed through Home Banking or at a physical branch; check the duration of the offer and the conditions imposed by the bank at the end of the latter; once the current account has been opened, periodically check the contractual conditions imposed by the bank.
read also How to save on your current account: 7 useful tips What documents are needed to open a current account? To facilitate and streamline any type of procedure, it is a good idea to know in advance the documents needed to open a current account.
Let's see them together: The identity card is essential for opening a current account, whether you want to go to a traditional branch or an online bank.
In the latter case, depending on the needs of the institute you have chosen, you will have to follow an electronic procedure, where you will be asked for a digital scan of your card or simply for its details (number and expiry).
Some banks may also ask you for a second document certifying your identity: passport or driving license, for example.
The presentation of the tax code is binding when opening a current account, both traditional and online.
If you decide to proceed with a traditional bank, you will need to have an original document and a photocopy.
If you prefer to take advantage of the convenience of online banking, however, all you need is a scan or the simple alphanumeric combination that makes up your tax code.
In some cases, you will be asked for a copy of your pay slip or employment contract.
However, it is good to know that this is not a binding requirement, but a simple verification of the reliability of the new customer: the lack of a pay slip, in fact, will not be an impediment to opening the account.
Some credit institutions also require a certificate of residence to open the account.
Further documents may then be requested if the bank has preferential tariff plans, such as a document certifying enrollment at the university.
In fact, many banks have current accounts with discounted rates for students and the only way to take advantage of them is to demonstrate that you are regularly enrolled in a university study course.
Requirements for opening a current account The requirements for opening a current account are not many, since the law does not provide for major limitations, having reached the age of majority, but banks also offer solutions for younger people, such as prepaid cards or savings books.
not have been reported as bad payers.
The latter can still request to open a current account, however the bank will have the right to accept or refuse the request.
be reliable for the bank.
The current account is to all intents and purposes a contract which provides, in addition to benefits, also expenses and constraints for the account holder.
If the latter is not a reliable person, the bank could therefore also deny the opening of a simple current account.
read also Checks on current accounts, electronic invoices and purchases with ATMs: what changes with the new anti-evasion algorithm How much does it cost to open a current account? Opening a current account is generally free}.
The price of operations and maintenance depends on the tariff plan chosen by the customer.
The cost of the current account is usually divided into certain items, which are also useful to know in order to be able to compare the rates of the various current accounts in an informed and effective manner.
The items relating to the cost are generally divided in this way: stamp duty: required by law and the same for each type of current account; fixed accounts: this section includes card fees, annual account management and expenses incurred by the bank for sending documents and information material to the customer.
Each bank and each type of account have different costs; variable costs: this is the section that varies based on the operations carried out, withdrawals from branches of other banks, bank transfers, payments abroad and so on.
Another price item concerns sending account statements and communications.
This cost item is zero for banks that plan to provide these services online, while for sending on paper the price varies from bank to bank.
read also How to save from a young age: a financial app to manage pocket money How long does it take to open a current account? Usually the waiting times for opening a current account are short and after document checks have been carried out, the customer is given access to their account and any Home Banking.
Even for online accounts, the opening operations are very fast and allow you to quickly access all the services offered by the bank you have chosen.
What are the types of current accounts? There are different types of current accounts, with different costs and services: ordinary account: in this type of current account the expenses are based on transactions.
For every operation that the customer carries out, a commission is requested by the bank; package accounts: by paying a fixed fee the bank makes a series of operations available; basic accounts: this is a current account that offers basic operations and services, such as crediting of salary or pension, deposit and withdrawal of money, direct debit of utilities, but does not provide the possibility of activating credit lines, that is, it is possible to go “negative”; agreement accounts: a very particular type of current account with a service for certain types of customers; online accounts: these are proposals that allow you to carry out all operations via your smartphone or mobile devices and which do not require the physical presence of the customer in the branch.
This type of current account allows you to significantly reduce expenses, since operations are carried out entirely online and a physical location is not required.
Before choosing one of these types it is advisable to take your needs into consideration, carefully evaluating which operations you need most.
Online or traditional current account: which one to choose Let's start by saying that there is no better choice than the other, but only types of accounts best suited to our needs.
The online account has the great advantage of being able to carry out all operations at any time and from any place, since each step takes place via the app.
Home Banking apps are very simple to use, intuitive and allow you to always have your money under control.
However, there are no physical offices of many online banks, which leads many people, given the absence of physical reference points, to prefer traditional accounts.
Both types of current accounts allow you to carry out all the main operations, from crediting your salary to direct debit of bills and both are safe.
However, online solutions will probably allow you to save some money, since, as we mentioned, not having physical locations can reduce management costs.