If you are a foreign entrepreneur and want to open a joint stock company in Italy, we invite you to read this article. You will be informed about the key requirements to start this kind of business entity, as well as other useful information to help you in the future. In addition, you can explore the services offered by our specialists in company formation in Italy to get an idea of how you can be helped in this endeavor.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Purposes of a joint stock company in Italy | Optimal for large investments and business projects in Italy. |
| Legislation | Companies Act |
| Minimum share capital | EUR 50,000 |
| Registration authority | Italian Trade Register |
| Requirements for JSC in Italy | – registering a business address in Italy, – drafting of a deed of incorporation, – depositing at least 25% of the minimum capital, – appointing directors & statutory auditors, etc. |
| Tax code | Required for shareholders who want to open a joint stock company in Italy. |
| Company representative | Can act with a power of attorney for opening a joint stock company in Italy. |
| Number of directors required | At least one is needed. |
| Bank account for a JSC in Italy | Required |
| Executive meetings | Recommended once per year |
| Owning shares in an Italian JSC | Companies and foreign individuals can own shares in a JSC in Italy. |
| Shareholder liability | Limited to the amount of the investments made in the company. |
| Annual financial statements filing | Mandatory. Our Italian accountants can offer dedicated services. |
| Other requirements | To register for tax purposes and social security in Italy |
| Working with our Italian agents when opening a JSC | Personalized assistance & services are offered to entrepreneurs interested in opening a joint stock company in Italy. We guide throughout the incorporation procedures. |
Table of Contents
What are the main requirements for opening a joint stock company in Italy (SpA)
The establishment of a joint stock company in Italy requires the following:
- the Articles of Association, the Deed of Incorporation, plus other relevant documents (IDs, standard forms, etc.) are solicited by the Italian Trade Register;
- a legally registered business address in Italy;
- minimum share capital is EUR 50,000;
- naming at least one director in charge of the joint stock company, plus a board of statutory auditors for this type of business entity;
- applying for an Italian Tax ID/code (codice fiscale) with the Revenue Agency as shareholders & directors of the firm;
- obtaining the VAT number;
- registering for Social Security in Italy and the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work;
- applying for specific business licenses and permits before the joint stock company starts its activities in Italy.
So, these are some of the important requirements for incorporating a joint stock company in Italy. We recommend that you use our services if you want to open a company in Italy. Plus, you can also explore the infographic below, made by our specialists:
Agreements signed by the shareholders of a JSC in Italy
When you want to set up a joint stock company in Italy, you should also consider the shareholders’ agreement. This document is drawn up together with the Deed of Incorporation and specifies their rights in the company, autonomy, withdrawal situations, and many more. It is recommended that when you want to start a company in Italy, namely a joint stock company, you also consider the need for a shareholders’ agreement.
How is the management of a joint stock company in Italy?
Opening a joint stock company in Italy implies the following from a management point of view:
- at least one director must be appointed. However, the board of directors for a joint stock company in Italy is also allowed. The company shareholders are the ones who can appoint directors and assign responsibilities to them;
- a statutory auditor panel is also required for a joint stock company in Italy;
- a supervisory board is appointed if the dualistic management system is implemented in the joint stock company in question;
- a joint stock company in Italy can be managed by a sole director, which is the most common form.
The company management is in charge of various daily business tasks/responsibilities. But the financial decisions are taken by the shareholders. It is important to specify that the directors of a joint stock company in Italy are directly responsible for failing to perform their obligations. More about how a joint stock company in Italy is managed can be found if you discuss with our specialists. Our team can help you from the very beginning with company incorporation in Italy.
Extra things to know about joint stock companies in Italy
Opening a JSC in Italy is a relatively easy process, especially if you have specialized support at hand. An important condition is to pay at least 25% of the minimum share capital required. Here is some other useful information to keep in mind during the incorporation process:
- the Italian Tax Code (Codice Fiscale) is mandatory to obtain when incorporating a joint stock company in Italy. This code is required for shareholders and directors of the firm;
- the incorporation deed/Articles of Association must be notarized before submission. We can represent our customers with a power of attorney at the notary in Italy.
It is worth noting that a joint stock company in Italy can be registered in approximately 7 days if all documents are correctly presented. We remind you that with the help of our Italian agents, you can ensure a complete and uncomplicated registration process.
Italy’s economy in a few lines
We present some interesting statistics about the economic direction of Italy:
- Around 0.7% was the economic growth of Italy in 2025. A modest GDP growth of almost 0.8% is estimated for 2026.
- The services sector of Italy grew by over 5% in the first 3 quarters of 2025 due to tourism.
- An increase of almost 2.7% in total investments is estimated in 2026.
For assistance in opening a joint stock company in Italy, please feel free to contact our company registration representatives. We can also assist with the registration of other types of companies and provide accounting services in Italy.