Company Formation
Company Types
Company Formation in Italy
There are many issues involved in the process of an Italian company formation. Cosmos can help with all these issues and in order to help you better understand what is involved we have listed below the major topics involved. If you want more detailed information on each topic then simply click through the following page.
We have tried to supply you with all the information you may need on forming an Italy Company but if there are any other questions then please feel free to contact us using the details at the bottom of the page or via our online form by clicking here
Choosing the right structure for your activity in Italy is one of the most important decisions to make during the initial set up phase. There are a number of options available and below we have chosen the three most prevalent ones. The main points for each activity are covered below but if you want more information than please contact us.
Please note that all the information that appears on these pages refer to a generic case. Each activity will have certain guidelines and rules that are not covered here. These pages attempt to let you decide in advance what is the best structure for your activity after which feel free to contact us here.
SOLE TRADER
Generally Speaking this is the most cost-efficient way for a one person operation to start operating in Italy. Sole Traders are registered for VAT and can, if they wish, operate their business from their home address (and write off 50% of their home costs).
At present there are also generous tax breaks for people wishing to operate as sole traders, for more information please contact us at the numbers listed below or fill out our online form by clicking here.
SRL
Equivalent to a PLC or LLC, this is the most common solution for the formation of a company. This allows the owners to limit the exposure of their assets should the company not succeed. Unlike other countries, however, there are certain requiements for opening an SRL including:
An initial deposit of the working capital in a holding account prior to incorporation (100% of capital if unipersonal, 25% if more than one director)
Company must be incorporated legally through a public notary
CO-OPs/ASSOCIATIONS
This solution is best used when professionals in the same field of expertise want to pool their resources. This is also a good solution for non profit organisations and associations.
Setting up in Italy
Once you have chosen the structure that you wish to have for your activity the next stage is to actually go through all the legal and bureaucratic issues so that you can then start trading. Here we will deal with the important issues for setting up as a sole trader and as an srl.
What you will need...
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
For a sole trader, all that is needed is an identity card (passport will do), a codice fiscale, permesso di soggiorno (non EU citizens only) and, if necessary a license for the activity you wish to carry out. Further documents needed for the setting up of a company might include bank statements from your country of origin and residency certificates. Cosmos can assist in the obtaining of some of these documents.
INITIAL CAPITAL
When setting up an SRL in Italy, you need to deposit the working capital in the bank account of the company. Prior to incorporation, however, you need to prove to the notary that these funds exist. For companies with more than 1 shareholder this amount is equivalent to 25% of the declared capital (minimum requirement is 10,000, therefore minimum deposit is 2,500) but for companies with only 1 director/shareholder the full amount must be available. The most common way to prove the existence of funds is to have a cheque or bank draft in the name of the new company, drawn on the account of the shareholder(s).
COMPANY DIRECTORS
The company must also appoint one, or more, administrators, basically a CEO. At least one administrator should also be a fiscal resident of Italy, though it is sometimes not the case. The Administrator is responsible for signing off the accounts at year end and is also responsible for the bank account. Cosmos can act as an administrator for companies whose directors may not be resident of Italy but prefer to do so for a limited time only and will reserve the right to do this on a case by case basis.
