This guide explains how to read an Italian pagoPA notice, choose a payment channel, check the result and retrieve the receipt without repeating a completed payment.
The instructions cover pagoPA notices. The amount due, payment reason, deadline and any refund always depend on the creditor organization.
pagoPA at a glance
- Essential details
- QR code or Codice Avviso plus the creditor organization’s tax code
- Digital identity
- Not required on the public checkout; required to access the IO app
- Channels
- Creditor website, pagoPA website, IO, online banking, apps and in-person points
- Fee
- Varies by PSP, channel, method and amount; check it before paying
- Before trying again
- Always check whether the notice is already shown as paid
- Refund
- Request it from the creditor organization, not pagoPA
Section 1
What pagoPA is and when to use this guide
pagoPA connects creditor organizations and payment providers, but it does not decide how much you owe.
pagoPA is Italy’s national platform for payments to public authorities and other participating organizations. It is not a bank or a single payment method.
The creditor organization creates the debt position and sets the amount, reason and deadline. The PSP, or payment service provider, handles the transaction through your chosen channel.
A pagoPA notice is different from an Italian F24 tax payment form. Do not convert one into the other: use the payment route stated by the competent organization.
- Creditor organization
- The public authority or participating organization that requests and receives the payment.
- PSP
- The bank or other provider that performs the transaction and may charge a fee.
- pagoPA notice
- The paper or digital document containing the details required to pay.
- Receipt
- Evidence of payment issued or made available through the channel used.
Section 2
How to read the notice and which details to prepare
The QR code speeds up entry, but you can also type the details printed on the notice.
Checks before paying
- Name and tax code of the creditor organization.
- Named debtor or person to whom the payment relates.
- Payment reason, amount and date stated on the notice.
- A readable QR code or the complete Codice Avviso.
- The CBILL code, if requested by your online-banking service.
- The creditor’s official contact details if anything is wrong or unclear.
- Codice Avviso
- The notice code used with the creditor organization’s tax code to retrieve the payment.
- IUV
- The Identificativo Univoco di Versamento linked to the debt position; it may appear in the details or be requested by support.
- Creditor tax code
- This identifies the creditor organization. It is not the tax code of the person making the payment.
- CBILL
- An alternative code used by some online-banking services to identify the creditor; it is printed on the notice.
Section 3
Where you can pay
You can choose an online or in-person channel, provided it is enabled for pagoPA.
Creditor website
Open the organization’s payment section and continue through the pagoPA checkout when available.
pagoPA website
Scan the QR code or enter the Codice Avviso and creditor tax code without using the IO app.
IO app
Open a message or use the Scan function after signing in with SPID or CIE.
Online banking or app
Find the pagoPA function and follow the fields required by your provider.
In-person points
Participating banks, post offices, authorized retailers and private postal points.
| Channel | What you need | Receipt | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| pagoPA website | QR or notice details and email | Summary sent by email | SPID or CIE is not required to pay the notice |
| IO app | SPID or CIE sign-in and the notice | Payments section and message | Open a received notice or scan another one |
| Online banking or app | pagoPA function, QR or notice details | Provider history or payment area | Some services request the CBILL code |
| In-person point | Paper or digital notice | Paper slip or issued receipt | Ask for the total cost before confirming |
Section 4
How to pay online step by step
The exact flow can vary by channel, but the essential checks remain the same.
Open an official channel
Start from the creditor website, pagoPA website, IO or the pagoPA function in your bank or payment app.
Retrieve the notice
Scan the QR code through the dedicated function or enter the Codice Avviso and creditor organization’s tax code.
Check the details
Confirm the creditor, payment reason and amount before selecting a payment method.
Enter your email when requested
The creditor website or pagoPA website uses it to communicate the payment result.
Choose a method and provider
Review availability and the fee; change PSP if the channel allows it.
Authorize once
Complete the authorization required by the bank, card or app and wait for the result.
Save the receipt
Keep the summary, PDF or receipt available through the channel used.
Before closing the screen
- Read the final message and do not assume the result.
- Check the email address entered during payment.
- Note the channel and PSP used.
- Download or save the receipt as soon as it is available.
Section 5
Paying and finding the notice in the IO app
IO brings messages, payments and receipts together, but it requires digital-identity access.
Sign in to the app
Access IO with SPID or CIE and make sure the app is up to date.
Open or scan the notice
Use the message received or the Scan function for a QR code, document upload or manual entry.
Choose the method and PSP
Check the total amount and any fee before continuing.
Check the message and receipt
After the result, review the message and the app’s Payments section.
Section 6
Paying in person
Take the notice to a participating point and do not leave without the receipt.
Choose an enabled point
Check participating banks, post offices, authorized retailers and private postal points.
Present the notice
Show the paper or digital document with a readable QR code and notice details.
Check the amount and fee
Ask for the total and any commission before confirming.
Collect the receipt
Keep the paper slip or document issued by the provider.
Section 7
Fees and payment methods
There is no single fee: the cost depends on the service selected.
Each PSP may apply a different cost depending on the amount, channel and payment method. The cost must be shown before confirmation.
On channels that allow PSP selection, you can compare alternatives and choose a provider even if you are not its customer.
The official transparency simulator shows PSP fees on channels managed by PagoPA S.p.A., such as IO and the payment interface integrated into creditor websites. It does not necessarily describe every cost charged by every external channel or in-person point.
Card
Availability depends on the card network, PSP and notice.
Account
It may be offered in checkout or used through enabled online banking.
Payment app
Available options can vary between providers and over time.
Cash or other in-person methods
These depend on the participating point; check method and fee in advance.
Section 8
How to check the result before trying again
Checking the notice status prevents many duplicate attempts.
Reopen the notice
Scan it in IO or retrieve it on the pagoPA website with the QR code or notice details.
Read the status shown
If the notice is shown as already paid, do not start another transaction.
Check the channel used
Look for the result in email, IO messages or your bank or app history.
Keep the evidence
Save the receipt, date, amount, channel and any error code.
Section 9
Where to find and how to keep the receipt
The receipt format depends on the channel: PDF, digital summary or paper slip.
| How you paid | Where to look | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| IO app | Payments section and the relevant message | PDF and payment details |
| Creditor website or pagoPA website | Email address entered during payment | Summary received and any attachment |
| Online banking or app | Provider history or payment section | Downloadable receipt and transaction references |
| In-person point | Document issued at the till or counter | Readable paper slip or receipt |
Good practice
- Save a copy outside the app or email account when the payment is important.
- Keep the Codice Avviso, creditor, amount and date legible.
- Do not publish the full receipt or notice codes online.
- If you must send it to the creditor, use the organization’s official channel.
Section 10
Common errors and problems
The right contact depends on where the problem occurred.
The notice cannot be found
- If you typed the details, check every digit and try again.
- Contact the creditor if the QR code is correct or the error continues.
- The creditor may have removed the notice after its payment period ended.
A payment is already shown as in progress
The notice is expired, revoked or contains incorrect details
Do not change the amount or codes and do not create a replacement payment yourself. Ask the creditor whether the notice can still be paid or must be issued again.
You see a charge but the result is negative
Check the notice status. A PSP may temporarily hold an amount even when a payment does not complete. Contact the payment-method provider about the timing and release of the hold.
The notice is already shown as paid
Do not make another payment. The notice may have been settled by you or someone else. Contact the creditor organization for clarification about the debt position.
You paid but the creditor cannot see it
Keep the receipt and allow the creditor’s system time to update, which may take a few days. If the matter is urgent or does not resolve, send the evidence through the organization’s official contact channel.
Section 11
Duplicate, undue payments and refunds
A refund depends on the organization that received the money, not on the pagoPA platform.
pagoPA handles the transaction flow but does not itself receive or return the amount. The creditor organization decides the refund process and timing.
The same route applies when you paid twice and when the payment was not due.
Collect the evidence
Prepare the notice, receipt or receipts, amounts, dates and transaction references.
Contact the creditor
Use the details on the notice or those published on the organization’s official website.
Follow the creditor’s procedure
Ask which forms, bank details or documents are required and keep a copy of your request.
Section 12
Paying from abroad or without an Italian digital identity
If you have the notice, you can use the public checkout without SPID or CIE.
Prepare the notice
You need the QR code or the Codice Avviso and creditor organization’s tax code.
Try the pagoPA website
The checkout lets you pay without signing in with an Italian digital identity.
Consider online banking
Use it only if your bank offers the pagoPA function.
Change option after a decline
Check card restrictions and try another PSP or payment method.
Checks for a foreign card
- Online payments are enabled.
- International payments are enabled.
- The bank’s authentication can be completed from abroad.
- The spending limit is sufficient.
- An alternative PSP or method is available.
Section 13
Security and support: who to contact
Verify the request first, then contact the party responsible for the problem.
Anti-scam checks
- Verify the sender and watch for small changes in the domain name.
- Never provide passwords, one-time codes, full card numbers or credentials by email or text.
- Check that the official checkout begins with https://checkout.pagopa.it.
- Do not rely on the padlock alone; check the complete domain as well.
- Type the creditor’s official website address yourself.
- Stop if the amount, reason or named debtor does not match what you expect.
Creditor organization
Notice, amount, reason, deadline, service received, updated debt position and refund.
Bank, app or in-person point
An error or charge that arose in the external channel used to pay.
pagoPA support
Technical problems in pagoPA checkout, a creditor’s integrated payment form or IO.
Useful details for support
- Creditor organization’s tax code.
- Codice Avviso and IUV, if available.
- Date, time and amount of the attempt.
- Channel and PSP selected.
- Error message or code, without sharing passwords or security codes.
Section 15
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about access, notice details, results, receipts, errors and refunds.
Do I need SPID or CIE to pay a pagoPA notice?
Not always. You can pay a notice on the official pagoPA website without signing in with SPID or CIE: you need the QR code or the Codice Avviso and the creditor organization’s tax code. You must sign in with a digital identity to use the IO app.
Can someone other than the named debtor pay?
Yes. A person who has the notice details can make the payment. Before confirming, they should check the creditor, named debtor, payment reason and amount. The receipt is made available through the channel used.
How do I pay if I did not receive a notice?
Check the creditor organization’s official website for a section that lets you create a notice or start a spontaneous payment. Not every organization offers this function. Contact the organization if you cannot find the service or do not know which item to select.
Are the Codice Avviso, IUV and CBILL code the same?
No. The Codice Avviso is normally entered with the creditor organization’s tax code; the IUV uniquely identifies the payment in the system; and CBILL is an alternative code that some online-banking services use to identify the creditor. Follow the fields shown by your chosen channel and use the details printed on the notice.
Why is there a payment fee?
The fee covers the payment provider’s service and can vary by channel, method, amount and PSP. Check it before authorizing the payment. On channels that allow it, you can choose a different provider.
How can I check whether the payment succeeded?
Scan the notice again in the IO app or on the pagoPA website. If it has been settled, the system states that it has already been paid. Also check the result email or the history of the channel used. Do this before trying again.
Where can I find the receipt?
In IO, it is available in the Payments section and the relevant message. After paying on a creditor website or the pagoPA website, the summary is sent to the email address entered. For online banking, payment apps or in-person channels, retrieve it from the provider.
What should I do if a payment is shown as in progress?
On the pagoPA website, wait 30 minutes before trying again. In most cases, the notice becomes payable again. If the lock continues or the payment is urgent, use the official pagoPA support channel.
I see a card charge, but the payment failed. Have I paid?
Do not rely on the card movement alone. Check the notice status first. A PSP may place a temporary hold even when a payment does not complete; the provider releases it according to its own timing. Contact the PSP if you have questions about the charge.
I paid, but the creditor website has not updated. Should I pay again?
No. Do not pay again without checking the result. The creditor’s systems may take a few days to update. Keep the receipt and contact the creditor organization if the matter is urgent or the payment still does not appear.
Who handles a refund after a duplicate payment?
The creditor organization. pagoPA acts as an intermediary and does not decide or process the refund. The same applies to a payment that was not due.
Can I pay from abroad with a foreign card?
You can use the pagoPA website without an Italian digital identity or online banking that supports pagoPA. If a foreign card is declined, check that online and international payments are enabled, then try another provider or method. Contact the creditor if you do not have the notice.
Section 16
Official sources
This guide was checked against official pages published by PagoPA S.p.A.
- Official pagoPA websitePlatform overview and access to citizen services.
- The pagoPA platform (Italian)The platform’s role in payments to public authorities and participating organizations.
- What a payment service provider (PSP) is (Italian)The role of the provider that performs the transaction and applies any fee.
- How to pay with pagoPA (Italian)Official steps for creditor websites, pagoPA checkout, the IO app, online banking and in-person channels.
- Where to pay with pagoPA (Italian)Overview of online and in-person payment channels.
- Why payment fees may apply (Italian)Explanation of PSP fees and their display before payment.
- Fee transparency (Italian)Comparison of provider fees on the channels covered by the official simulator.
- Paying when no notice was issued (Italian)Creating a notice on the creditor organization’s website when that service is available.
- Official Codice Avviso and QR specification (Italian)Technical structure of the payment details encoded in the QR code.
- Scanning the notice QR code (Italian)The QR code must be scanned through the pagoPA function of an enabled channel, not the ordinary camera.
- Italian Revenue Agency — what the F24 form is (Italian)Official source distinguishing the F24 tax payment form from a pagoPA notice.
- Checking the payment result (Italian)Checking the notice through the IO app or pagoPA website before trying again.
- Finding the payment receipt (Italian)Where to retrieve the PDF, digital summary or paper receipt for each payment channel.
- Payment already in progress (Italian)The official 30-minute wait on the pagoPA website and support route if the lock persists.
- Payment notice not found (Italian)Checking the notice details and contacting the creditor if it still cannot be found.
- Payment not yet visible to the creditor (Italian)Creditor update times and what to do if the payment still does not appear.
- Requesting a refund (Italian)Refunds must be requested from the creditor organization, including duplicate or undue payments.
- Paying a notice from abroad (Italian)Paying without an Italian digital identity, required notice details and alternatives after an error.
- Problems with a foreign card (Italian)Checking restrictions, changing payment provider or choosing another method.
- Avoiding pagoPA phishing and scams (Italian)Checks for senders, payment requests, the official domain and personal-data requests.
- Contacting pagoPA support (Italian)Support channels and the details to prepare for a technical request.