Forming a company in Italy takes about a month and involves a notary, an accountant and strict local rules. We guide international founders through every step — in English, from the first meeting to your first invoice.
to an operative company
a dedicated advisor for you
interpreter & witness included
Italy is an excellent base for food, tourism, construction and logistics, and owning a company here makes relocating far simpler. But the rules are complex. Here is what every founder should know upfront.
You need a notary and an accountant — sometimes a lawyer too. We coordinate all of them for you.
Public officials rarely speak English. The notary deed is done in two languages, so an interpreter and a witness are required.
Accounting, tax and anti-money-laundering rules are demanding. A yearly balance sheet is mandatory and filed publicly.
Your accounts run 1 Jan–31 Dec. The balance sheet is ready by 30 April and filed with the Chamber of Commerce before the end of May.
You need a legal address and a certified email (PEC). We provide both and keep you informed of every official communication.
On average it takes about a month to have a fully operative company ready to trade and invoice.
Figures below are typical estimates for a Limited Liability Company (SRL). The exact amount depends on your legal form and activity — we give you a clear quote before you commit.
Drafts and certifies the company deed.
Registration duties and endorsement of the books.
To register and begin operations. Includes initial accountant advice.
Full annual accounts and balance sheet.
Post received & forwarded.
Official communications.
An SRL (Società a Responsabilità Limitata) is Italy’s Limited Liability Company. Your only financial risk is the capital you invest — your personal assets stay protected if something goes wrong.
In Italy, tax is not tied to your legal form: you pay tax on profit regardless. What changes is how — and when — you’re taxed.
Applied on company profit (IRES + IRAP).
Only when you move earnings to your personal account. Leave profit in the company and this 26% doesn’t apply.
If the business fails, you risk only your invested capital — nothing more.
Book an online meeting and tell us exactly what business you want to run. We map out the best structure for you.
The accountant prepares the documents; the notary certifies them. We provide the interpreter and witness for the bilingual deed.
We notify the Chamber of Commerce. Once you receive your company registration report (visura), you can open a business bank account.
We set up your electronic invoicing — mandatory in Italy — connected to the tax authority’s system, so you’re ready to trade.
A dedicated advisor in Italy who knows your business.
Provided by our office, with document translation.
Your registered office in Italy — post handled for you.
For all official Italian communications.
Software and codes linked to your tax account.
Don’t chase money — create value. When your clients recognise it, the money follows. Change your view from cost to opportunity.
You cannot trade the moment the company is formed. First, the Chamber of Commerce must be notified. Companies without special requirements can start as soon as they receive their visura (registration report). Activities with professional or moral requirements must first meet those conditions and be authorised.
E-invoicing is mandatory in Italy. You need invoicing software and a code, linked to your tax account, to send invoices through the revenue authority’s central system. You share this code with your customers. Paper invoices are valid only in a few cases — otherwise, legally the invoice does not exist.
Each year you file your balance sheet and profit-and-loss account with the Chamber of Commerce, so it’s publicly visible. If a loss exceeds the nominal capital invested, you must return to the notary to restore the capital.
You can withdraw profit only after your financial statements are approved. Withdrawing earnings to your personal account triggers a 26% tax; leaving them in the company defers it.
In Italy company data is largely public. Through electronic invoicing, the tax agency can view your invoices and data at any time; INPS social security, and INAIL occupational insurance can review your balance sheet and P&L each year.
Italy has very strict anti-money-laundering rules. If you exceed the permitted cash limit, your accountant is required to report it to the tax agency.
In Italy a notary is a public official (not a lawyer), operating from their own office in limited numbers. You cannot form a company, transfer property, change your legal residence or amend your articles of association without one. Italian notary fees are higher than in many other countries.
Book an online meeting and tell us about your project. Before we meet, describe exactly what business you want to form and what you’d like to do — so we can prepare
Call us
+39 049 648 2316
Padua — Ponte San Nicolò
Viale del Lavoro, 22 · 35020 (PD)
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