Program Network
For years, we have been assisting “global companies” wishing to set up in Italy
by offering them an all-inclusive service — from the incorporation of the new company to
accounting and tax management, as well as payroll processing for employees.
We also handle all matters related to Transfer Pricing.
The Italian market has opened up to a significant presence of foreign capital. Around 20% of
turnover, 17% of added value, 30% of exports, and 50% of imports generated in the Italian
market come from foreign-controlled companies, and inbound M&A volumes have been high
compared to major competitors.
We assist our customers in identifying M&A opportunities and, of course, support
post-acquisition expansion and investment plans upon request.
01
Incorporation of companies (limited liability)
Management of all mandatory accounting, tax, and corporate compliance obligations
Opening of an Italian bank account
Hiring of employees - Payroll precedures
Managing relationships with banks and financial institutions, including assistance with loan or funding applications for companies, as well as applications for state or regional incentives and grants related to the investments made.
02
Quick setup — company incorporation completed within 7 to 10 business days from receipt of all required documentation
Remote incorporation available through a simple power of attorney
Ongoing annual assistance with all deadlines and tax filings, provided by experienced Chartered Accountants
Strategic tax planning through tailored simulations to help minimize your tax burden and maximize efficiency
03
Indipendence from the parents company
Protection of parents company
Custom facilities advantages
01
Before establishing a branch in Italy, it is important to consider the
type of activities the branch will carry out, the registered office of the company,
and how to manage any existing business relationships. All these factors can
influence the branch formation process.
The location of the branch can have a significant impact on its operations.
Different cities and regions often have their own rules or regulations that must be
taken into account before setting up a branch.
The most common legal form is the “società a responsabilità limitata” (S.r.l.),
equivalent to a private limited liability company, as it offers greater
organizational flexibility and limits the liability of shareholders.
The steps to establish an S.r.l. include:
Obtaining a tax identification number (codice fiscale) for both shareholders and directors.
Opening a capital bank account and depositing at least 25% of the cash contributions of the share capital into this account to obtain the deposit certificate.
Drafting the articles of incorporation and bylaws before a notary public.
Filing all documentation with the Business Register (Registro delle Imprese) and paying registration fees to obtain the company’s registration number.
Once the company is established, it is necessary to apply for a VAT number and tax identification code, as well as to have the corporate and accounting books stamped at the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate). Then, a declaration of commencement of activity must be submitted to the Municipality.
Furthermore, before hiring employees, every company must:
Register with social security institutions.
Take out civil liability and accident insurance.
Notify the Labour Inspectorate of the start of employment.
Join a pension fund for employees.
02
Regulations vary depending on the chosen legal form. A limited liability
company (S.r.l.) requires a minimum share capital of €10,000, of which at least 25%
must be paid in before registration. There is no minimum number of shareholders
required for incorporation, and there are no restrictions on the nationality of
shareholders or directors, except for the reciprocity principle set out in the laws
of the country of origin.
An S.r.l. can also be incorporated with less than €10,000 in capital, provided that:
The share capital is at least €1;
The contribution is paid entirely in cash;
A reserve is created to cover the remaining amount using future profits.
S.r.l. companies benefit from flexible management rules: shareholders can
define in the bylaws how the company is to be managed, appointing a sole director, a
board of directors, or multiple directors without establishing a collegiate
body.
Every company must keep accounting records and retain original issued and received
documents for at least 10 years. Not all branches are required to undergo a
statutory audit, but an S.r.l. will need one if it exceeds certain thresholds
relating to total assets, number of employees, and revenues from sales or services.
03
Establishing a branch in Italy offers several advantages.
A limited
liability company operates independently from its parent company.
This helps
protect the parent company from losses or legal disputes and allows the branch to
structure itself in line with Italian business culture and practices.
04
Before establishing a branch in Italy, it is advisable to carefully
assess the time and resources required.
It may be essential for someone within
the company to acquire in-depth knowledge of Italian regulations or to invest
significant resources in hiring specialized legal and tax consultants, in order to
ensure full compliance with local legislation.
Copyright © Program Srl. All rights reserved • Tax ID and VAT No. IT00242580033 Business Register of Novara (IT) • REA NO 115547 • Share Capital €50,000.00 • Privacy Policy • Cookies • Manage Cookie Preferences
