Avv. Marco Mazzeschi was invited to speak at the Lunch Seminar “Business Opportunities in Italy – SMEs and Visa Options for Investors and Entrepreneurs” organized by The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao. Since 2014, the interest of Chinese investors for Italy has soared and has invested in a wide range of sectors in Italy, which is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage. This seminar focused on high potential business sectors will prevail in the next 10 years, together with specific business opportunities and incentives in Italy as well as VISA options for investors and entrepreneurs intending to do business or invest in Italy. The presentation also provided detailed information about the newly introduced Investors Visa and the favorable flat tax regime for foreigners who take residency in Italy. For more information please visit the website: http://www.icc.org.hk/events/337/enlunch-seminar-business-opportunities-in-italy-smes-and-visa-options-for-investors-and-entrepreneurs/

1. Business opportunities for SMEs and
VISA options for investors and entrepreneurs
Avv. Marco Mazzeschi
18 April 2018 – Hong Kong
ITALY

2. 3 Good reasons to invest in Italy
Tips for doing business in Italy
Mind the Gap!
Business opportunities next 10 years
VISA options for investors

3. Three good Reasons to Invest in Italy
1.

4. - EU is a single market: a license in Italy is valid in all other EU countries
- EU is a market of 500 Million people
- EU is one single custom area: goods can circulate with no tariffs or trade barriers
Italy is member of the European Union (EU) – 28 States

5. «Made in China» products are
no longer second tiers.
Companies are increasingly
moving from being OEMs
to developing their own
brands.
Italy can be a good hub for
Expanding into other
Eu countries.

6. Italy is member of Schengen Area
- One single external border
- Internal borders are crossed
without further controls
- Also non EU nationals (i.e Chinese)
can move freely
Move freely in the Schengen area

7. Tips for Doing Business in Italy
2.

8. Buying real estate is safe
Notary Public must check that the title on property is free, there are no liens or other
burdens, that property is compliant with building regulations. If you buy a property
under construction, the builder must give a bank guarantee equal to price paid.

9. Check your potential partners or customers
Detailed information (i.e. capital, shareholders, directors, yearly accounts)
about companies can be easily obtained from the Companies Register
(Registro Imprese)

10. - Favorable prices (after 10 year recession)
- many SMEs need help to grow global (banks do not give credit)
- «Made in Italy» is still very valued brand not only for fashion and food, also light mechanics, food
processing machinery, etc.
Take advantage of the opportunities

11. Italy is like China in a
smaller scale, regional
differences and traditions
are important, be ready to
adjust to local «ways» of
doing business

12. Mind the Gap!
3.

13. i.e. buy a house or register a company and get automatically a resident visa. Double check
any information: ask the Italian Chamber for confirmation. Use a reliable local consultant,
check his international experience and reputation
Beware of fake news

14. Language (English is not yet spoken by
all people) and cultural differences can
be an obstacle. Italians are however
flexible and Italy/Chinese cutures have
many similarities. Take into
consideration cultural differences and
local traditions.

15. Political instability, high national debt,
inefficient red tape, financially troubled banks.
It is partly true, but in many cases news are
magnified by the media. Invest wisely but Italy
needs foreign investments and there are good
business opportunities
Don’t be scared by bad reports or news

16. Government and Regions offer in certain sectors, incentives and tax benefits to foreign investors.
Check out and take informatino from reliable sources before doing any new investments .
Check available incentives and tax benefits:

17. 17
Houses for 1 Euro
Terms and conditions:
1. To stipulate a public deed within two
months
2. Support all expenses for the drafting of
the deed
3. Prepare a project for the renovation
and recovery
4. Start work within two months from
building permit

18. Business Opportunities in Italy
2018-2030
4.

19. 19
TOURISM
• 33% of world tourist visit Europe
• 60 million tourists in Italy in 2017
• By 2020, China will be the country in the world with the most
tourists traveling abroad (200 Million forecast)

20. 20
• 25% Italian companies provide green products/services. This number
will rise 7% each year in next 7 years.
• In Italy, total volume of trade in green industry is expected to reach 22
Billion in 2020
Green Economy

21. 21
Aging Society
• The declining birth rate, combined with longer life expectancy, has left Italy with a significantly older
population.
• Nearly 60 per cent of residents are 40 or older, while nearly 23 per cent are over 65.
• In 2030, 30% of population will be older than 65

22. - Bloomberg predicts that electric cars and
plug-in hybrids could come to represent 54%
of new vehicles sales by 2040
- ING Bank estimates that electric cars shall
account for all new vehicle sales by 2035
- France committed to ban new petrol and
diesel car sales by 2040
- Volkswagen targets sales of 2-3 million
electric vehicles annually by 2015
- Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi will launch 12 new
electric models by 2022
Electric vehicle market

23. - Ecommerce in the EU increased by 15% to €530 billion in 2016
- Ecommerce sales in Western Europe will rise from $96.29 billion in 2016 to $218.26 billion in 2021
- Ecommerce revenues in Italy is expected to grow from roughly 10 billion USD in 2016 to roughly 16
Billion in 2021.
Ecommerce

24. VISA OPTIONS FOR INVESTORS
Visit or Move to Italy?
4.

25. 25
First,
for any kind of Visa .....
size matter!

26. SCHENGEN VISA or ALLOWANCE
(TOURISM/BUSINESS)
DO I WANT TO STAY
MORE THAN 90 DAYS
WITHIN 180 DAYS?
TRAVEL TO ITALY
EXIT THE COUNTRY
NATIONAL VISA
Yes
SPEND THE ALLOWED TIME IN ITALY
REGISTER WITH
POLICE/APPLY FOR
RESIDENCE PERMIT
LIVE IN ITALY/STAY MORE
THAN 90 DAYS
No

27. VISA OPTIONS FOR INVESTORS
Do Business Invest or Donate No Work
Self-
employment
work permit
Investors Permit
Elective
Residence
Permit
Employment
work permit
set up a
company
buy
existing
company
establish
or
join a
startup
donate
1M in
public
interest
2M
in gov.
bonds
1M in
company
or 0,5M in
startup
Buy/rent
property
Meet the
requirements

28. VISA OPTIONS FOR INVESTORS – Do Business
Do Business
Self-
employment
work permit
Employment
work permit
set up a
company
buy
existing
company
establish
or
join a
startup
Buy Existing Company
» Buy/Invest in Italian company…
» with at least 3 years of activity
» in good standing
» SRL (Ltd) or Spa (Inc.)
» be appointed as Chairman; CEO;
Member of board or Auditor

29. VISA OPTIONS FOR INVESTORS – Do Business
Do Business
Self-
employment
work permit
Employment
work permit
set up a
company
buy
existing
company
establish
or
join a
startup
Establish or Join a Startup
» proof of financial resources (at
least €50,000) to be used for
starting business
» business plan for innovative start-
up (core business: development,
production, innovative
goods/services, high technological
value

30. VISA OPTIONS FOR INVESTORS – Do Business
Set up a Newco or Branch
» Company: min. capital €10,000
(but higher capital advisable)
» Branch
Obtain a work permit as company’s
employee
Do Business
Self-
employment
work permit
Employment
work permit
set up a
company
buy
existing
company
establish
or
join a
startup

31. Invest or Donate
Investors Permit
donate
1M in
public
interest
2M
in gov.
Bonds
(2 years)
1M in
company
or 0,5M in
startup
Invest or Donate
» evidence of being the
beneficial owner
» Amounts to be readily
available and
transferable to Italy;
» commitment to use the
funds within 3 months
from entry into Italy;
VISA OPTIONS FOR INVESTORS – Invest or Donate

32. VISA OPTIONS FOR INVESTORS – No Work
No Work
Elective
Residence
Permit
Buy/rent
property
Meet the
requirements
Elective Residence Visa
» Have a property or rent a house in Italy
» You cannot work in Italy
» income not less than € 31,000/year (not salary),
deriving from savings, pensions, investments
» Income must be steady and likely to continue in the
future

33. Avv.Marco Mazzeschi
Website| www.mazzeschi.it
Email |mm@mazzeschi.it
Tel| +39.0577.926921
Weibo| @mazzeschi
33
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