This economy profile presents the Doing Business indicators for Italy. To allow useful comparison, it also provides data for other selected economies (comparator economies) for each indicator. The data in this report are current as of June
1, 2014 (except for the paying taxes indicators, which cover the period January–December 2013).

Italy’s economic recovery—albeit timid—seems to have gained some traction, as GDP expanded in the first two quarters of 2015. The positive scenario was reflected in the draft budget for 2016—announced on 18 September by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi—which revises up projections for next year’s growth compared to what was announced in April.

Italy is struggling to escape the recession. Real GDP shrank once again at the beginning of 2014, following on from the first slight improvement in two years in the final quarter 2013. Over the year as a whole, the outcome should nevertheless be slightly positive thanks to the strong performance of the export sector and the increase in productive investment. 

Italy’s economy expanded 0.2% over the previous quarter in seasonally- and working-day adjusted terms in Q3. The reading, which marked the softest rise since Q4 2014, came on the back of a deterioration of the external sector’s contribution. 

Investors who want to start a business have several types of companies in Italy from which to choose from.

There are several ways to structure your business in Italy, and it is important to know which one is right for you and your future clients.

The following article will help you to be aware of and understand what legal requirements exist when registering a company in Italy, and what you must do before you begin operating as a business. There are many forms and documents that must be submitted before opening your doors, so be careful to pay close attention to the following information.

The Italian Business Register is a public register which, as already provided for within the Civil Code, has been fully implemented since 1996,

Below is a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Italy. It examines the procedures, time and cost involved in launching a commercial or industrial firm with between 10 and 50 employees and start-up capital of 10 times the economy’s per-capita gross national income.

In order to set up a business, it is first necessary to define the structure and the type of activity which you intend to carry out.

VAT Rates and Minimum Purchases Required to Qualify for Refunds

Current and historical corporate tax rates in Italy

Italian corporate entities are subject to a corporate income tax, known as IRES, and to a regional production tax, known as IRAP.

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Italy stands at 47.90 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Italy averaged 46.65 percent from 1995 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 51 percent in 1996 and a record low of 44.10 percent in 2005. Personal Income Tax Rate in Italy is reported by the Italian Revenue Agency.

A Guide to Italian Taxes

Value Added Tax (VAT – IVA) a consumption tax applying on a standard rate 22%. Reduced VAT rates apply at 10% for pharmaceuticals, passenger transport, admission to cultural and entertainment events, hotels, restaurants and 4% on foodstuffs, medical and books. The Italian VAT is part of the European Union value added tax system.

Visa information for tourists, students and business

Italy Visa and Passport Requirements

Perhaps you are planning an extended stay in Italy or looking to relocate to the country for a dream trip abroad or with a spouse. Whatever brings you to beautiful Italy, determining the best way to find employment starts with the fundamental question: Do I need a work permit for Italy, and if so, how do I obtain one? Working in Italy requires navigating some bureaucracy, but armed with information and a bit of advanced planning, you can secure a work permit and gain valuable experience working for an Italian company.

Visa, visa denial, visa extension, visa for purposes of: joining family member, work, business, marriage, foreigners, study bursary, re-entry into Italy.

IGI is the Italian NGI (National Grid Initiative) and is part of the European Grid Infrastructure named EGI. NGIs are “legal organizations, supported by governments, and providing a unique representation at the European and international levels for all the communities related to national grid infrastructures: 

This site describes public and private transportation

Italy has an efficient and modern infrastructure, even though it performs poorly compared to other Western European countries of comparable size. The whole peninsula is well connected through an extensive system of railways, expressways, national roads, airports and seaports. 

Telecom Italia is an Italian telecommunications company which provides telephony services, mobile services, and DSL data services. It was founded in 1994 by the merger of several state-owned telecommunications companies

Scope of employment regulations including minimum wage, worktime restrictions, employee representation

See “Labor rights in the Constitution” on this site

To qualify for ordinary benefit (indennità ordinaria), you must have worked for at least a year and contributed for at least the previous two years. Benefit is available for a maximum of 180 days (six months) and is paid from the eighth day after termination of work, provided that an application is made within the first seven days. 

Italy performs well in few measures of well-being in the Better Life Index. Italy ranks above the average in work-life balance and health status, but below average in civic engagement, housing, subjective well-being, environmental quality, jobs and earnings, and education and skills.

Good manners and courtesy are prized qualities in Italy. When doing business in Italy ensure your conduct is always polished. There are etiquettes and protocols for many social and business situations, however, it is important to remember that Italians rate considerateness above behavioural formulas.

Cost of living information includes price indices for rent, food, utilities, transportation, restaurants, clothing and more

Free state education is available to children of all nationalities who are resident in Italy.

When doing business in Italy having cross cultural skills should improve the potential of your business trip. In order to prepare yourself and also to ensure that your business  proposal is well tailored to the target audience, leading to a successful meeting with your Italian counterpart, you should demonstrate and understand Italian culture and etiquette.

With its hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, Italy experiences a mediterranean climate. Winters in Italy are cool and humid in the north and the mountainous zone. Sometimes cold air from northern Europe can spread south into Italy, bring snow to most mountains, while the coasts are kept warm by the high sea temperatures. Storms like the Mistral can bring snow and gales, sometimes even in southern districts of Italy.

The climate varies considerably from the north to the south of Italy. 

US Department of State – Go to Safety and Security for updates from the Italian government

Italy Warnings and Dangers

Expats will be happy to learn that state schools are free, even for foreigners living in Italy who aren’t formal residents. This applies to primary schools, secondary schools and even universities; although enrolment taxes do become applicable after students reach the age of 16.

Schedule of national holidays and observances

Public holidays in Italy are determined primarily by two Acts of parliament as well as by collective and individual employment agreements.

Demographic information includes population, quality of life, health, sports, technology, energy and the environment

Italy’s population density is very uneven and the Po Valley is the most densely populated with almost half of the country’s population. Other densely packed areas include the metropolitan areas of Naples and Rome. The Basilicata plateaus, the Alps and Apennines highlands and the island of Sardinia, meanwhile, have a very sparse population.

Import and export regulations from Italian customs

information on Italy’s participation in the WTO. Italy has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and  a member of GATT since 30 May 1950. It is a member State of the European Union (more info). All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) in its own right.

The facts you need to know about renting a house or apartment in Italy: finding accommodation, the contract, the deposit, the lease and the obligations of the landlord and tenant…

A guide to a full range of hotel, apartment and other lodging in the major cities in Italy

Italy is the kind of destination that travelers return to over and over. They come for awe-inspiring art and architecture that influenced Western civilization, and stunning historical ruins—as well as for some of the world’s best food and wine. 

Official Italy Tourism Website homepage.