Set up a Company in Italy

Italy offers a profitable environment for business development as it has a well organized business infrastructure, a stable economy and most importantly encourages foreign investment. The process of incorporating a company in Italy doesn't take much time and effort to complete.

Preliminary activities before registering a corporation and limited liability company in Italy
Prior to registration of the Italian company the founders of the limited company or the corporation must open a bank account and deposit minimum 25% of the cash contribution and obtain a certificate. The next step consists of executing a public deed of incorporation before a public notary. Also the founders must acquire the corporate and accounting books. According to the Civil Code a limited liability company must have a minute book of shareholders' meetings and one for the board of directors meetings, and a minute book of board Statutory Auditors, all of which have to be authenticated. A stock corporation must have a journal book and an inventory book. Entrepreneurs may acquire these books through a public notary, or from stationary stores. Also before registration the company's founders have to pay a government grant tax to the post office, due to the Office of Revenue every year.

Registering stock corporation and limited liability companies with the Italian Register of Enterprises (Registro delle Imprese)
In order to register an Italian company the founders must submit an application electronically to the Register of Enterprises. This form includes applications for tax identification number, VAT number and registration with Social Security Administration and Accident Insurance Office. After the notification is filed the company receives the documents in one week.

Notifying the competent Labor Office
After registration is completed the administrator of the company must notify the Labor Office about hiring employees, if that is the case. The procedure is rapidly completed, as the notification can be sent via e-mail.

Setting up an Italian company from abroad
It is a known fact that many entrepreneurs choose to invest in Italy due to the many choices they have in terms of industry and because of the equal treatment as national entrepreneurs. The establishment of an Italian company can be done from abroad, due to the electronic incorporation procedure, and it requires little effort. Italian law does not impose any restriction to repatriating capital, nor does it oblige residence in Italy.

How long does it take to establish an Italian company?
The whole process is rather simple and takes a short period of time, except registering with the Register of Enterprises which takes 5 days to be completed. Depositing the minimum bank deposit, buying corporate books and executing the public deed of incorporation, each take one day to be finished. Overall an Italian company is established in approximately 10 days.

BridgeWest offers Company Registration in Italy as well as all other related services such as Virtual Office, Accounting and Payroll Services.