Choose the Right Business Structure

Italy offers several legal structures for foreign entrepreneurs:

• S.r.l. (Società a responsabilità limitata) – Private limited liability company; minimum capital starts from €1 (recommended €10,000); ideal for SMEs and foreign investors.

• S.p.A. (Società per Azioni) – Public limited company for large businesses or those seeking to raise capital from the public.

• Branch Office (Succursale) – A legally dependent extension of a foreign company.

• Representative Office (Ufficio di Rappresentanza) – For non-trading activities such as market research or liaison; cannot invoice or generate revenue.

Register
Your Business

Safari Star supports you through all steps of company incorporation:

• Company name reservation and legal document drafting

• Notarization of company formation documents

• Registration with the Italian Companies Register (Registro delle Imprese) at the local Chamber of Commerce

• Application for VAT number (Partita IVA) and tax code (Codice Fiscale)

• Filing of the SCIA (Certified Notice of Commencement of Activity), if required by the municipality

• Registration with INPS (National Social Security) and INAIL (Insurance against accidents at work)

Open a Corporate Bank Account

A business account is mandatory to deposit share capital (for S.r.l./S.p.A.) and for operational transactions.

Documents typically required:

• Certificate of incorporation

• Articles of association

• Valid IDs of directors and shareholders

• Tax code and VAT number

• Proof of registered office

  Safari Star facilitates both in-person and remote account setup (depending on the bank’s policy and company type).

Obtain Business Licenses & Sector Permits

Depending on your industry, you may need additional authorizations:

• Food & Beverage License – Required for restaurants, cafes, and food importers

• Import/Export Authorization – For trading companies operating across EU/non-EU borders

• Environmental Permits – For manufacturing or waste-producing businesses

• Professional Licenses – For services in healthcare, engineering, education, etc.

Hire Employees & Comply with Labor Laws

Italy has strong labor protections. We help you comply with:

• Employee contract drafting (in Italian, aligned with national collective labor agreements)

• Registration with INPS and INAIL

• Setup of monthly payroll, social security contributions, and withholding tax payments

• GDPR compliance for employee data

Understand Taxation & Financial Obligations

Italy’s tax system includes several key obligations for businesses:

• Corporate Income Tax (IRES): 24%

• Regional Tax on Productive Activities (IRAP): ~3.9% (varies by region)

• Value Added Tax (VAT): Standard rate of 22%, with reduced rates of 10% and 5%

• Dividend Withholding Tax: 26% (reduced by tax treaties)

• Annual Financial Statements & Filings: Mandatory for all incorporated entities