Details about how a foreign investor can open a company in Italy, helped by our lawyers in Italy. More info at http://www.lawyersitaly.eu

1. How to open aHow to open a
company in Italycompany in Italy
A presentation brought to you byA presentation brought to you by
Bridgewest.euBridgewest.eu

2. Who can help you set up a companyWho can help you set up a company
in Italy?in Italy?
 A foreign investor who wants to open aA foreign investor who wants to open a
company in Italy may contact our local lawyerscompany in Italy may contact our local lawyers
for the incorporation procedures.for the incorporation procedures.
 If you don’t know the Italian laws and how toIf you don’t know the Italian laws and how to
begin your economic activity in this country, ourbegin your economic activity in this country, our
Italian attorneys will offer you legal assistance.Italian attorneys will offer you legal assistance.

3. Legal assistance for choosing theLegal assistance for choosing the
type of companytype of company
 If you don’t know which type of ItalianIf you don’t know which type of Italian
company suits your interests best, you maycompany suits your interests best, you may
contact our lawyers for legal assistance.contact our lawyers for legal assistance.
 They will offer you information and detailsThey will offer you information and details
about the Italian laws that regulates your futureabout the Italian laws that regulates your future
business activity.business activity.

4. The types of Italian companies (1)The types of Italian companies (1)
There are several types of firms a foreignThere are several types of firms a foreign
entrepreneur can set up in Italy, as follows:entrepreneur can set up in Italy, as follows:
- limited liability companylimited liability company ((societa a responsabilitasocieta a responsabilita
limitatalimitata), which is the most common type of), which is the most common type of
firm, proper for small and medium businesses;firm, proper for small and medium businesses;
- joint stock companyjoint stock company ((societa per azioni) for larger) for larger
businesses;businesses;

5. The types of Italian companies (2)The types of Italian companies (2)
Other types of firm you may open in Italy are:Other types of firm you may open in Italy are:
- a general partnership that is an association ofa general partnership that is an association of
persons which carry a business under a commonpersons which carry a business under a common
name and has legal personality;name and has legal personality;
- a limited liability partnership incorporated bya limited liability partnership incorporated by
two or more of the partners who provide capital.two or more of the partners who provide capital.

6. Details about the types of ItalianDetails about the types of Italian
companies (1)companies (1)
 SRLSRL oror limited liability companylimited liability company is a type ofis a type of
company whose shares cannot freely trade to thecompany whose shares cannot freely trade to the
public. The minimum share capital of a SRL is 10,000public. The minimum share capital of a SRL is 10,000
EUR divided into shares.EUR divided into shares.
The management of this type of entity is assured by theThe management of this type of entity is assured by the
general meeting of the shareholders, the managers,general meeting of the shareholders, the managers,
board of auditors (which must be appointed only if theboard of auditors (which must be appointed only if the
company's share capital exceeds 50,000 Euro).company's share capital exceeds 50,000 Euro).

7. Details about the types of ItalianDetails about the types of Italian
companies (2)companies (2)
 SpA - Societa per azioniSpA - Societa per azioni in Italy is formed byin Italy is formed by
shareholders who are liable for its debts to the extent ofshareholders who are liable for its debts to the extent of
the amount paid on their shares. The stock corporationthe amount paid on their shares. The stock corporation
has its shares registered on the Stock Exchange andhas its shares registered on the Stock Exchange and
sold to the public.sold to the public.
The stock corporation can be owned by one or moreThe stock corporation can be owned by one or more
natural persons or corporate bodies. The minimumnatural persons or corporate bodies. The minimum
share capital of a stock corporation must be at leastshare capital of a stock corporation must be at least
120,000 EUR. The capital is divided into shares which120,000 EUR. The capital is divided into shares which
can be ordinary shares and preference shares.can be ordinary shares and preference shares.

8. Details about the types of ItalianDetails about the types of Italian
companies (3)companies (3)
 General partnershipGeneral partnership is an association of personsis an association of persons
which carry a business under a common name and haswhich carry a business under a common name and has
legal personality. All the partners are jointly andlegal personality. All the partners are jointly and
severally liable for the firm's debts.severally liable for the firm's debts.
The partners typically agree to share in the profits, lossesThe partners typically agree to share in the profits, losses
and assets of the partnership. The initial capital of theand assets of the partnership. The initial capital of the
partnership consists in the partners' contributions ofpartnership consists in the partners' contributions of
cash or property.cash or property.

9. Details about the types of ItalianDetails about the types of Italian
companies (4)companies (4)
 A limited liability partnershipA limited liability partnership is incorporatedis incorporated
by two or more of the partners who provideby two or more of the partners who provide
capital and it is formed by a general partner whocapital and it is formed by a general partner who
is a partner with unlimited liability for the debtsis a partner with unlimited liability for the debts
and obligations of theand obligations of the limited partnershiplimited partnership andand
a limited partner a partner with limited liabilitya limited partner a partner with limited liability
in the limit of its contribution to the capital.in the limit of its contribution to the capital.

10. How can you incorporate a companyHow can you incorporate a company
in Italy? (1)in Italy? (1)
 The first step is depositing at least 3/4 of the amountsThe first step is depositing at least 3/4 of the amounts
contributed in cash in a bank account. The payment ofcontributed in cash in a bank account. The payment of
the capital may be replaced by an insurance policy or bythe capital may be replaced by an insurance policy or by
a bank guarantee for at least the same amount.a bank guarantee for at least the same amount.
 Then, the shareholders must elaborate the public deedThen, the shareholders must elaborate the public deed
of incorporation which includes the company’s bylawsof incorporation which includes the company’s bylaws
which has to be drafted and executed by the notary.which has to be drafted and executed by the notary.

11. How can you incorporate a companyHow can you incorporate a company
in Italy? (2)in Italy? (2)
 The founders must buy corporate books andThe founders must buy corporate books and
accounting books;accounting books;
 Paying the government grant tax to the post officePaying the government grant tax to the post office
current account which is due to the Office of Revenuecurrent account which is due to the Office of Revenue
every year;every year;
 The incorporation documents must be depositedThe incorporation documents must be deposited
electronically at the Register of Enterprises;electronically at the Register of Enterprises;
 The last step of incorporation is represented byThe last step of incorporation is represented by
notifying the competent Labor Office (DPLMO) thenotifying the competent Labor Office (DPLMO) the
employment of workers one day before from the startemployment of workers one day before from the start
of the labor relationship. of the labor relationship.

12. Contact our lawyers in ItalyContact our lawyers in Italy
For more details about company formation, youFor more details about company formation, you
may contact our attorneys in Italy at:may contact our attorneys in Italy at:
E-mail:E-mail: office@lawyersitaly.euoffice@lawyersitaly.eu
Phone: (+44)203.287.0408Phone: (+44)203.287.0408
Address: Via dell’Annunciata, 23/4, 20121 MilanAddress: Via dell’Annunciata, 23/4, 20121 Milan