Open a Business in Italy as a Foreigner

If you decide to open a business in Italy as a foreigner, this article is meant to help you. Instead of detailing the legal procedure (which you can read here), we will discuss the startup costs of a business in Italy, pros and cons, plus other details that might help you at the right moment. Before we begin, we would like to add that our specialists in company formation in Italy are here to guide you step by step and provide assistance in all business-related matters.

Quick Facts
Types of companies available in Italy	– limited liability company (SRL), – joint stock company, – sole proprietorship, – holding company, etc.
Best cities for business in Italy	– Rome, – Milan, – Turin, – Naples, – Bologna, etc.
Costs of a virtual office package	Around EUR 49/month
Costs of accounting services in Italy	From EUR 130/month
Office rental costs in Rome (approx.)	Starting from EUR 4,200/month for approx.  256 sq.m.
Average monthly salary	Ranging between EUR 2,500 and EUR 3,333
Investment recommendations for foreign businessmen in Italy	– real estate, – stock market, – tourism, – startup & technology, etc.
Italy’s economy in numbers	8th largest economy in the world, with a GDP of around USD 2.3 trillion in 2024
Tax benefits/deductions	– tax credits of 20% for investments up to EUR 2.5 million, – 6% in refunds for the acquisition of instrumental plants for large retail companies in Italy
Level of bureaucracy	Even though most administration tasks are digitalized, some complex procedures might be solved in physical presence.
Banking in Italy	Domestic and international banks provide a wide range of services to customers. Digital banks are also great options in Italy.
Pros of doing business in Italy	– stable business climate, – access to various financial markets, – numerous investment possibilities, – skilled workforce, etc.
Cons of doing business in Italy	The tax system might seem complex and strict for international investors.
Time frame to start a business in Italy	A few days or weeks, depending on the type of business.
Company formation in Italy can be done with our local agents (YES/NO)	YES

How much does it cost to start a business in Italy?

Foreign entrepreneurs who want to set up a business in Italy wonder first of all what the start-up and administration costs of a company are. The following information can help you get an idea in this regard:

• around EUR 520 is the registration fee for a company in Italy. This fee may differ depending on the type of business structure.
• a virtual office package in Italy starts at around EUR 49 per month. Extra facilities come with additional costs. This is often a proper choice for foreign entrepreneurs interested in remote work and a notable business address in Italy.
• renting an office space in Milan, one of the most expensive cities in Italy, starts at EUR 220 per square meter. In Rome, the capital city, an office space can be rented for around EUR 13-19/sq.m./month.
• the accounting services in Italy start at EUR 130 for a specific number of documents. We can put you in contact with our Italian accountants when starting a business in Italy as a foreigner.

Please explore this infographic with details and advantages of doing business in Italy as a foreigner:

Time frame to register a business in Italy

Company incorporation in Italy takes around 5-7 working days from the date the registration process begins, which can only be an advantage for entrepreneurs who want to start a business here. In addition, many of the registration procedures of a company in Italy have been simplified due to digitalization.

Is it difficult to do business in Italy as a foreigner?

If you want to access a competitive and appealing market by opening a business in Italy as a foreigner, you need to know the pros and cons:

• the strategic geolocation of Italy allows business connections with the European Single Market & Middle Eastern markets, and also North African business hubs;
• Italy’s infrastructure is another strong point that foreign investors take into account when opening businesses here;
• unfortunately, the bureaucracy in Italy might seem complex for entrepreneurs. Even so, many of the administrative procedures have already been digitized and can be completed online;
• the language barrier might enter the cons category of setting up a business in Italy as a foreigner, even though English is widely spoken in the business environment;
• in terms of foreign investments in Italy, the FDI projects doubled in 2024, compared to 2023. In addition, around USD 7.6 billion were FDI inflows in Italy in the first half of 2024.

You can also check this video presentation with details on this subject:

Employment in Italy

According to the National Office for Statistics in Italy and data for January 2025, the employment rate in Italy was around 62.8%. Here are other interesting details about employment in Italy:

• in 2025, Italy will offer over 24,000 visa-sponsored positions for foreigners willing to immigrate and work in this country;
• employment in the 25-34 age group has increased, according to official data;
• the unemployment rate is somewhere around 6.3%.

Interested in opening a business in Italy as a foreigner? We hope this article helped you get a picture of the business climate in this country. For more details, do not hesitate to contact our experts in company formation in Italy.