42 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Vorrei spedire questa lettera in Inghilterra.
I would like to send this letter to England.
Use this as your opening statement when approaching the counter. Stating your destination upfront helps the clerk immediately identify the correct postage.
Vorrei inviare una raccomandata.
I would like to send a registered letter.
Use this when you need proof of sending and delivery — common for legal documents, contracts, and official communications. The raccomandata provides a tracking number and requires a signature on delivery.
Vorrei spedire questo pacco.
I would like to send this parcel.
Use this when approaching the counter with a parcel. The clerk will weigh it, ask about contents, and recommend a service (pacco ordinario, pacco celere, etc.).
Sono venuto a ritirare un pacco.
I've come to collect a parcel.
Use this when you've received an avviso di giacenza (missed delivery notice) and need to collect a parcel from the post office. Bring the notice and your ID.
Vorrei aprire un conto BancoPosta.
I would like to open a BancoPosta account.
Use this at the dedicated banking counter (sportello BancoPosta) within larger post offices. BancoPosta is Italy's postal banking division and offers current accounts, mortgages, loans, and investments.
Quanto tempo ci vuole per la consegna?
How long does delivery take?
Use this to ask about delivery times before selecting a service. The answer will vary by destination (domestic vs international) and service level.
Posso fare un vaglia postale?
Can I make a postal money order?
Use this when you need to send money through the post office. The vaglia postale is the traditional Italian way to transfer money, especially to people without bank accounts.
Quali documenti servono per spedire all'estero?
What documents are needed to send something abroad?
Use this before preparing an international shipment. Non-EU destinations require customs declarations and the contents may be subject to restrictions.
Quanto costa la posta prioritaria per la Spagna?
How much does priority mail to Spain cost?
Use this when you want to compare prices between standard and priority services. Priority mail (posta prioritaria) is faster but more expensive than ordinary mail.
Vorrei ritirare la pensione.
I would like to collect my pension.
Use this at post offices that serve as pension payment points. Many Italian pensioners, particularly the elderly, collect their monthly pension in cash at the post office rather than having it paid into a bank account.
Vorrei assicurare il pacco.
I would like to insure the parcel.
Use this when sending a parcel containing valuable items. Postal insurance (assicurazione postale) covers loss or damage up to a declared value.
Può darmi il numero di tracciamento?
Can you give me the tracking number?
Use this after sending a tracked letter or parcel. The tracking number allows you to monitor delivery progress online at poste.it.
Vorrei aggiornare il mio indirizzo.
I would like to update my address.
Use this when you have moved and want to activate mail redirection (seguimi) or update your address in the postal records. The post office can activate a mail forwarding service for a fee.
Ho un avviso per una raccomandata.
I have a missed delivery notice for a registered letter.
Use this when you present the avviso di giacenza slip at the post office to collect a missed registered letter. Always have your ID ready.
Vorrei dei francobolli per cartoline.
I would like some stamps for postcards.
Use this as a tourist sending postcards home. The post office sells stamps at regulated prices — the same as at the tabaccheria but with more variety of denominations.
Posso pagare le bollette qui?
Can I pay utility bills here?
Use this to pay electricity, gas, water, or other utility bills. Most Italian post offices accept bill payments via bollettino postale or MAV. A small commission is usually charged.
Come si dichiara il valore per la dogana?
How do you declare the value for customs?
Use this when sending a parcel to a non-EU country and you are unsure how to complete the customs form. The clerk will guide you through the CN23 form.
Posso prenotare un appuntamento allo sportello?
Can I book an appointment at the counter?
Use this if you want to avoid long queues by booking in advance. Poste Italiane now offers appointment booking through its app and website for many services.
Vorrei affittare una casella postale.
I would like to rent a P.O. box.
Use this if you need a private P.O. box for receiving mail securely, particularly useful for businesses or people who travel frequently.
Dove posso informarmi sui servizi di spedizione?
Where can I find out about shipping services?
Use this as a general information-seeking opener at the post office, for example when you're unsure which service you need and want to explain your situation to a clerk.
Cos'è la PEC e come funziona?
What is PEC (certified email) and how does it work?
Use this when you need to understand or activate PEC (Posta Elettronica Certificata), Italy's legally certified email system. Poste Italiane offers PEC through its PosteCert service.
Posso ottenere una firma digitale qui?
Can I obtain a digital signature here?
Use this at post offices that offer CNS (Carta Nazionale dei Servizi) or digital signature services. Businesses and freelancers increasingly need digital signatures for official document submissions.
Posso ritirare una raccomandata per delega?
Can I collect a registered letter by proxy?
Use this when you need to collect a registered letter on behalf of someone else who cannot attend in person — for example an elderly parent or a sick relative.
Devo spedire documenti ufficiali — qual è il servizio più sicuro?
I need to send official documents — what is the safest service?
Use this when sending legally important documents and you want professional advice on the most secure service. The clerk will recommend based on urgency, value, and destination.
C'è uno sportello automatico qui?
Is there an ATM here?
Use this to ask for the ATM machine within the post office. Most Poste Italiane branches have a BancoPosta ATM that can also be used by other bank card holders (Visa/Mastercard).
Posso cambiare valuta all'ufficio postale?
Can I exchange currency at the post office?
Use this to ask about currency exchange services. Most Italian post offices do not offer this service directly, but the clerk can direct you to a nearby exchange point or suggest using BancoPosta's international transfer service.
C'è un modulo da compilare?
Is there a form to fill in?
Use this at the start of any transaction when you are unsure what paperwork is involved. Asking proactively shows preparedness and helps the clerk explain what's needed.
Come si prende il numero?
How do you take a queue number?
Use this when you enter a post office and are unsure how the queuing system works. Italian post offices use ticket-based queue management with different letter codes for different services.
Vorrei fare un reclamo.
I would like to make a complaint.
Use this when a delivery has failed, a parcel has been damaged, or you have experienced a service problem. You have the right to file a formal complaint (reclamo) which triggers a process.
Quali sono gli orari dell'ufficio postale?
What are the post office opening hours?
Use this when you approach a post office and are unsure about its hours, or when you need to plan a future visit. Opening hours vary significantly by location and are often reduced on Saturdays.
Quanto costa il servizio EMS?
How much does the EMS service cost?
Use this when you need to send something internationally with speed and tracking. EMS is the fastest international postal service offered by Poste Italiane and connects Italy to 190+ countries.
Qual è la differenza tra Postepay e Postepay Evolution?
What is the difference between Postepay and Postepay Evolution?
Use this when choosing between Poste Italiane's prepaid card options. The Evolution version is a full current account equivalent, not just a prepaid card.
Posso spedire libri a prezzo ridotto?
Can I send books at a reduced rate?
Use this to ask about the book rate (tariffa libri), which historically offered discounted postage for printed matter. This service may be reduced or eliminated depending on current Poste Italiane offerings.
Posso attivare lo SPID qui?
Can I activate SPID here?
Use this at post offices that are authorised SPID identity providers (Identity Provider). Poste Italiane is one of the major SPID providers in Italy through its 'Poste ID' service.
Ho scritto l'indirizzo sbagliato sulla busta — posso annullare la spedizione?
I wrote the wrong address on the envelope — can I cancel the shipment?
Use this immediately after realising you've made an addressing error. Cancellation is only possible if the letter/parcel has not yet been processed or dispatched.
Posso incassare un assegno qui?
Can I cash a cheque here?
Use this if you have a postal cheque (assegno postale) or need to know if the post office can cash regular bank cheques. BancoPosta account holders can deposit cheques; non-customers generally cannot cash them.
Cos'è la Posta Celere?
What is Posta Celere?
Use this when you see the term and want to understand it. Posta Celere is Poste Italiane's domestic express service, offering next-day or two-day delivery for letters and documents.
Posso avere la ricevuta della spedizione?
Can I have the shipping receipt?
Use this after any postal transaction to request proof of posting. The ricevuta serves as proof of sending and contains the tracking number if applicable.
Qual è il peso massimo per i pacchi?
What is the maximum weight for parcels?
Use this before preparing a parcel, to ensure your package falls within acceptable weight limits. Weight limits vary by service and destination.
Ho una lettera urgente — qual è l'opzione più rapida?
I have an urgent letter — what is the fastest option?
Use this when you have an urgent item to send and want the fastest service available. The clerk will recommend based on the destination and your deadline.
Vorrei informazioni su un conto di risparmio postale.
I would like information on a postal savings account.
Use this at the BancoPosta counter when you want to explore savings products. Poste Italiane offers savings accounts (libretti di risparmio) and government bonds (buoni fruttiferi postali) that are among the most trusted savings products in Italy.
A che ora chiude questo sportello?
What time does this counter close?
Use this when you are queuing and worry you might not be served before closing time. Individual counters within a post office may close at different times.