Revenue Stamps in Rome: Where to Buy Them, How Much They Cost, and When You Need One
€16 or €2? Tobacconist, F24, or digital @e.bollo: everything you need to know before showing up at the government counter.
In a Nutshell
A marca da bollo (revenue stamp) is a government fee you pay whenever you submit an application to a public authority, collect an official certificate, register a contract, or issue a receipt above a certain amount. The standard amounts are €16 for applications to public bodies and €2 for receipts over €77.47. These figures are non-negotiable — they are set by DPR 642/1972. The easiest place to buy one in Rome is any tobacconist displaying the black "T" sign.
At a Glance
| Cost | €16 (public-authority applications, certificates, deeds); €2 (receipts over €77.47); €73.50 (passport). |
| Timeline | Tobacconist: instant. Electronic stamp via F24 online: confirmed within 2 business days. Digital @e.bollo: instant. |
| Where in Rome | Any tobacconist with a black "T". Also lottery/betting shops and authorised news-stands; post offices and bank branches for F23/F24 payments. |
| Documents | None required to purchase. Bring the stamp you already bought to your appointment — the issue time must precede the signing of the document. |
When You Need a Revenue Stamp
You need a €16 stamp when you submit:
- an application to a public authority (residency registration, family reunification, passport)
- an official civil-registry certificate for private use
- a Permesso di soggiorno (residence permit for non-EU citizens) application
- a notarial power of attorney
- an EU long-term residence card application
- a request for a new or replacement driving licence
For a passport, the required stamp is a special €73.50 label (separate from the fixed administrative fee).
You need a €2 stamp on payment receipts and acknowledgements for amounts above €77.47.
Some documents are exempt: certificates for school or military use, many tax-related filings, documents for people with disabilities under L. 104/1992, and filings by non-profit organisations. Always read the form instructions before buying a stamp — if the authority writes "in carta libera" (plain paper), no stamp is required.
Where to Buy a Revenue Stamp in Rome
Tobacconists with the Black "T"
This is the main channel. All authorised tobacconists have a thermal printer connected to the Monopoli di Stato (Italy's state monopoly agency) and print the electronic stamp on the spot. There are thousands of them across every neighbourhood and municipality in Rome.
How to spot an authorised tobacconist: look for the black "T" at the entrance and often a sign reading "Valori Bollati" or "Marche da Bollo Telematiche". Payment can be cash or card (some tobacconists apply a €5 minimum for card payments).
The stamp you receive is printed on thermal paper similar to a till receipt: it shows the amount, a unique serial number, the date and time of issue, and a barcode. Handle it with care — do not fold, tear, or expose it to heat.
Authorised News-Stands and Lottery Outlets
Some news-stands and Lotto or Sisal betting shops also sell revenue stamps, but they are less common than tobacconists. If you are in a hurry, the tobacconist is the safest bet.
Post Offices and Banks (for F23/F24 Payments)
If the procedure you are filing requires payment of the stamp duty via Modello F23 or F24 ELIDE (Italy's standardised government payment forms) — for example, registering a rental contract or certain notarial deeds — you can pay at any Italian bank branch or post office, or through online banking or the pagoPA app.
The Three Ways to Pay Stamp Duty
1. Physical electronic stamp — The paper stamp you buy at the tobacconist. The most common method for in-person government counter visits.
2. Modello F23 — Used for deeds that require a coded payment (registrations, some court proceedings). The tax code for stamp duty is 456T. Pay at a bank or post-office counter, online via your bank, or at a pagoPA-enabled tobacconist. Download the form at agenziaentrate.gov.it — F23.
3. Modello F24 ELIDE — Used for rental contracts and public deeds. The main tax code for stamp duty is 1550. Fill in your Codice Fiscale (Italian tax ID — your personal 16-character code, used for almost everything), the tax code, and the amount; then pay via online banking, your bank's app, or F24 online with SPID (Italy's digital identity for accessing online public services) or CIE (Italian electronic ID card) on the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italy's tax-revenue agency) website. Form available at agenziaentrate.gov.it — F24 ELIDE.
4. Digital @e.bollo — For fully online procedures (such as applying for a passport through the dedicated portal). On the service platform, click "Paga con @e.bollo", you are redirected to pagoPA, pay by card or bank account, and instantly receive a IUV code that is legally equivalent to a physical stamp.
The Golden Rule: Buy Before, Not After
An electronic stamp is only valid if its issue time is earlier than the date the document is signed or used. If you buy the stamp after you have already signed the application — or worse, after your counter appointment — the document is irregular.
Practical tip: stop at the tobacconist on the morning of your appointment, before heading to the office.
Stamp Amounts for Common Procedures
| Procedure | Stamp required |
|---|---|
| Generic public-authority application (residency, certificates) | €16.00 |
| Residence permit (application form) | €16.00 |
| Family reunification (application) | €16.00 |
| Civil-registry certificate for private use | €16.00 |
| Passport (special label) | €73.50 |
| Driving licence (issue or replacement) | €16.00 |
| Payment receipt above €77.47 | €2.00 |
| Rental contract registration | €16.00 per 4 pages + registration tax |
Always verify the exact amount on the official form before buying the stamp.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying the stamp after signing the document. The stamp must be purchased before signing. A document signed without a stamp, or with a stamp bought afterwards, is irregular.
- Folding or tearing the stamp. The barcode will be damaged and the stamp becomes unusable. Place it in an envelope or keep it flat.
- Using a €2 stamp instead of a €16 one. The document will be deemed insufficiently stamped and you will need to make up the difference.
- Entering the wrong tax code on F23 or F24. The payment will not be recognised by the Agenzia delle Entrate. Copy the exact code from the authority's form.
- Buying "used" stamps from private sellers. They do not exist: each stamp has a unique serial number and can be used only once. If anyone offers you one online or on the street, it is a scam.
Special Cases
Lost or damaged stamp before use. It cannot be directly refunded. There is a reimbursement procedure at the Agenzia delle Entrate, but it takes 6 to 24 months and is rarely worth it for small amounts. If you lose a €16 stamp, buying another is the fastest solution.
The authority asks for a stamp where you do not think one is required. You have the right to ask in writing for the legal basis. If in doubt, pay the stamp and then request a refund — it is better than submitting an incomplete document.
You need to submit multiple applications on the same day. Each application requires its own stamp (€16 each), unless the authority explicitly allows them to be grouped.
You are abroad and need to pay stamp duty for consular procedures. The Italian paper stamp cannot be bought abroad. Payment is made via Modello F23 in local currency or by international bank transfer to the relevant Consulate.
Official Sources
- Agenzia delle Entrate — Stamp Duty
- Agenzia delle Entrate — Stamp Duty for Citizens
- Agenzia delle Entrate — Electronic Stamp
- Agenzia delle Entrate — Modello F23
- Agenzia delle Entrate — F24 ELIDE
- pagoPA — public-sector payments platform
Legal references: DPR 642/1972, DL 70/2011 converted into L. 106/2011, DL 43/2013, Agenzia Entrate Ruling 31/01/2014, DM 25/05/2007 (F23), DM 24/10/2014 (F24 ELIDE).