Why is the Posta Elettronica Certificata (PEC) (certified e-mail) system important in Italy?

Anıl GOKTAS
Dec 10, 2025
2 min read

📩 What is PEC?

PEC stands for Posta Elettronica Certificata , a certified e-mail system. It is a legally valid means of communication in Italy and has the same legal value as registered mail . Every message you send is verified by the system with a receipt for both sending and delivery .

🎓 Why is it important for students and internationals?

PEC may be required when you need to send official documents to universities, government agencies, or embassies.
Institutions, especially for processes such as registration, scholarships, residence permits, or visa applications, only accept emails from PEC (Process Electronics) addresses.
This is the safest and fastest official communication method for students conducting transactions from abroad.

🔧 How to Obtain a PEC Address?

In Italy, you can create a PEC account in minutes through approved providers. You will need to verify your identity (passport or ID card) and enter your tax code ( codice fiscale ).

The most common PEC providers are:

Provider	Web Address	Salary (annual)	Feature
Aruba PEC	www.pec.it	5–10 €	Easy-to-use interface, Turkish language support available.
Poste Italiane	www.poste.it	10–15 €	Government-approved, reliable infrastructure.
InfoCert	www.infocert.it	10–20 €	Corporate and student plans
LegalMail	www.legalmail.it	€15–25	Enhanced security for professionals.

⚙️ Step-by-Step Guide to Opening a PEC Account

Choose one of the providers above.
Click the “ Attiva PEC ” button.
Upload your credentials.
Enter your Codice fiscale (Italian tax number).
Confirm your account by making a payment.
You now have your own PEC address: → example: yourfirstname.yourlastname@pec.it

🧾 Things to Consider When Sending Emails with PEC

Send the email to the recipient's PEC address , not their regular email address.
A " Ricevuta di Consegna " (delivery receipt) is automatically sent after each shipment.
Keep this receipt, as it serves as legal proof.
You cannot send PECs directly through Gmail or Outlook; it is only possible through the PEC provider's web interface or add-in.

💡 Areas of Use for Students

University registration and document submission.
DSU Toscana, INPS or Questura operations
Residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) extension applications
Erasmus, scholarship or diploma equivalency documents.
Correspondence with public institutions in Italy

🕓 How long does it take to become active?

Once identity verification is complete, PEC is usually activated within 1 hour. Some providers accept online verification with a passport, which speeds up the process.