Company Formation Services in Italy

Yes. Foreign nationals can legally own and run a company in Italy, without even residing in the country, with full 100% ownership. Unlike many other jurisdictions in Europe, Italy does not impose any citizenship or residency conditions on directors or shareholders, and a valid passport or ID is enough to qualify.

This makes Italy one of the most accessible jurisdictions in Europe for international founders. As of 2026, setting up remotely is common practice, carried out through a notarised power of attorney, so you never need to travel to Italy.

A handful of regulated activities may call for local representation, but full foreign ownership is the norm. Eligibility is not the real challenge; it is getting the banking, documentation and compliance right. CSG Advisory manages the entire process remotely, so foreign founders can launch their Italian company quickly and without leaving home.

Italy is the perfect country for a wide variety of businesses. It is ideal for international entrepreneurs and startups entering the European market, often with an eye on funding. SMEs benefit from a European operational base with good commercial infrastructure, while e-commerce businesses can handle EU trade, VAT and payments more efficiently.

The country is also suitable for non-resident investors who register remotely, professional service companies looking for more credibility, import and export businesses using Italy’s ports and trade routes and for holding companies managing European investments, subsidiaries and assets.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as the right structure usually depends on your specific business activity, investment objectives, ownership structure, growth plans and tax planning needs. All of these factors influence which entity gives you the best balance of credibility, liability protection and manageable compliance.

CSG Advisory will weigh all the factors against your plans to offer you strategic entity selection guidance before starting the company registration process. This ensures that your Italian company is structured in the correct way for long term success from the very start.

The S.r.l. (Società a Responsabilità Limitata), Italy’s private limited liability company is the go-to structure for international entrepreneurs. The advantage is that it is very easy to establish and requires only one shareholder and a minimum share capital of only €1. This combination of limited liability and minimal capital makes it not just accessible but also practical for foreign-owned businesses.

Foreign founders most often register company Italy in food and beverage, professional services and consultancy, import and export trading, fashion and luxury goods, technology and digital services, real estate and property management and logistics and freight.

It is important to note that VAT, licensing or regulatory obligations are different for each sector. At CSG Advisory, our best business formation consultants in Italy review yours during consultation to ensure your registration covers them from the outset.

Absolutely. We provide end-to-end company formation services in Italy, which include obtaining the right commercial license in Italy. If you are unable to be present in the country, our professionals can handle these formalities on your behalf through a Power of Attorney.

This allows us to represent you during the license application process and take care of various administrative procedures that are required to set up your company smoothly. This means you do not have to deal with the Italian authorities yourself, and we will handle all the legwork and coordination for you.

The total company registration cost in Italy will vary based on the entity type, amount of share capital and the scope of services you need. Typical expenses include government registration fees, notary fees, Chamber of Commerce dues and professional service fees.

In the case of a standard S.r.l., the government and notary fees alone generally fall between €1,500 and €3,500. At CSG Advisory, we are transparent about the offshore company formation cost in Italy. Contact our team today for a tailored quote based on your specific requirements.

The entire process, including obtaining your VAT number and opening a bank account, roughly takes 5-6 working days from the moment we start the incorporation process. However, this timeline is not fixed; it can vary depending on the kind of business you are establishing because some activities require additional steps or approvals than others.

The Italian bureaucracy has a reputation for being both slow and complicated, but in practice, this is not the case. The administrative aspect can be much more manageable than most people think if you are well-prepared, have a clear plan and the right professional support behind you.

The number one factor in a smooth and timely corporation setup in Italy is having a local contact who is familiar with the system. This is exactly what we provide at CSG Advisory. We guide your registration from start to finish and make sure nothing stalls along the way.

Business setup in Italy is just the first step, and compliance is what will keep your company active, credible and penalty free. Ongoing obligations include the preparation and filing of annual financial statements, submitting corporate income tax (IRES and IRAP), filing VAT returns (monthly or quarterly), the annual renewal of your Chamber of Commerce registration, the documentation of shareholders’ meetings, maintaining your registered office and updating records in the event of any structural changes.

CSG Advisory provides each client with a transparent compliance roadmap and connects you with experienced and highly qualified accounting and tax professionals for ongoing management. With our business setup services in Italy, you can easily manage all the compliance requirements in an efficient way while ensuring that your business remains in good standing in Italy.