The essential guide for foreigners.
Italy offers several corporate vehicles for foreigners: the SRL (limited liability company) with €1 minimum capital since 2013, the simpler SRLS (simplified SRL), the SpA (joint-stock company) for large ventures, and the branch office of an existing foreign company. This pillar covers the registration process (notarized deed, INPS, Camera di Commercio, Agenzia delle Entrate, INAIL), typical timelines (4-6 weeks), the real costs from €2,500 to €15,000, banking requirements for non-residents, and the differences when you are a resident vs. remote founder.
Italy's workhorse. Minimum capital €1 (since L. 122/2013 reformed the regime), but banks and notaries typically recommend €10,000 for credibility. Corporate tax IRES 24% + IRAP 3.9% (combined ~27.8%). Required for any activity with substance, employee hires, or B2B credibility.
A streamlined SRL reserved for individuals (no legal entities). Capital must stay between €1 and €10,000. Easier and cheaper (~€500-1,500 total). However, banks are reluctant to open accounts for SRLS without substantial activity history. Best for solopreneur testing the Italian market.
Foreign companies can register an Italian branch office (ufficio di rappresentanza stabile) without forming a new company. The branch is taxed on Italian-source income only. Faster (2-3 weeks), cheaper (€1,500-3,000), no separate corporate tax filings beyond the branch accounts, but limited credibility with Italian suppliers and banks.
Notarized deed (€800-1,500), Chamber of Commerce registration (€300-500), VAT number issuance via Agenzia delle Entrate (immediate), INPS for directors/managers, INAIL for workplace insurance, opening a bank account (often the bottleneck), book entry in Registro Imprese. A complete commercialista handles all of this for €1,500-3,000.
Recommended opening capital for credibility: €10,000. Banks prefer €5,000+ for business accounts; non-resident founders need a current account pre-approval. Smart structures use Italian SRL + impatriati regime for the operating director, with the parent company holding 100% from abroad.
Full budget: notary, commercialista, taxes, banking, social security.
When an SRL makes sense vs. when a Partita IVA is enough.
Comparative guide for foreign companies already operating abroad.
Quantitative breakdown of SRL vs SRLS vs SAS vs branch.
Step-by-step from American shareholders to operational SRL.
Post-Brexit realities: branch vs SRL for UK entrepreneurs.
How to choose the right vehicle for your situation.
For companies already abroad.
€2,500 vs €15,000 — what you actually pay.
Full US-to-Italy setup playbook.
Specific advice for British founders.
Once your SRL is ready: payroll, INPS, contracts.
Typically 3-6 weeks, including notary, Chamber of Commerce and INPS registration.
No, you can appoint a fiscal representative and handle most steps by power of attorney.
Since 2013, you can form an SRL with €1 capital for most businesses; €10,000 for innovative startups (was required historically).
