Many people wonder what the main steps are when you want to set up a business in Italy. There is often a lot of confusion about the various steps needed to set up a business.
This is a procedure that involves a series of administrative formalities, starting from the opening of the VAT number, up to the registration of your company at the Register of Companies kept by the Chamber of Commerce responsible for the territory. If you need help, the London-based Law Firm VGS can help you with this and other types of issues related to the Italian Law System.
Which ones are the possibilities among the different types of company in Italy?
In addition to the individual entrepreneur, foreign investors can establish a wide range of various types of companies in Italy, which can be chosen according to the share capital that the investors are able to subscribe to the company, the size of the company and its commercial purposes. Our team of Italian lawyers can provide detailed information on the characteristics of the following:
– limited liability company (S.r.l.): this is the most common type of legal entity that is selected by foreign entrepreneurs;
– simplified limited liability company (S.r.l.s.): this business form can only be incorporated by natural persons, unlike S.r.l.,
– a holding company or company limited by shares (S.p.A.) – also known as a joint-stock company, which requires an initial capital investment of EUR 120,000;
– a company limited by shares (S.a.p.A): it can be incorporated by at least two partners, who do not have to deposit a specific capital;
– general partnership (SNC): can be established through a partnership agreement between natural and legal persons;
– limited partnership: generally has the same characteristics as the general partnership, the main difference is the liability of the partners.
What are the main requirements to start an Italian S.r.l.?
When starting a business in Italy through a limited liability company, it is important to know that the registration procedure can take approximately two weeks. This type of company can be formed by appointing a director (foreigners can also become directors of an Italian company, as long as they are the owners of a passport issued in one of the member countries of the European Union).
An advantage of this business structure is given by the fact that the shareholders of the company can have any nationality and the company can be created by a single shareholder. In an Italian S.r.l which is defined as a small company, as stipulated by the description available under EU law, investors will not need to appoint auditors.
To try to clarify what is the procedure to follow, let’s see below step by step how to open a business in Italy and which are the bodies to contact.
VGS Lawyers is born with the mission to provide legal assistance under the Italian Law to English speaking clients. Its qualified team of Italian lawyers provides its expertise and assistance to foreign companies willing to start a business in Italy.
Setting up a company in Italy therefore, can become easier thanks to the specialised assistance of VGS Lawyers and the recent introduction of the simplified type of limited company.
If you need help, you will be assisted from the initial stage up to the registration with the Chamber of Commerce.
