Abstract
The essay looks at the stages of the evolution process that has characterized the financial systems of the two autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, starting from the first statute of autonomy to the most recent changes made by the 2021 bilateral agreement. An analysis of the foundations of these systems is carried on, also emphasizing the role the principle of bilateral cooperation has played in determining the original nature of such financial arrangements, if compared to those of the other regions, both ordinary and special ones.