Foreign investors wishing to set up a business in Italy may start by establishing a limited liability company or SRL (Società a Responsabilità Limitata), the most popular business structure in Italy among foreigners.
It is a Limited Liability Entity which benefits of a complete limitation of liability of the quota holders for company obligations. It is a “smaller-scale” company where the owners are usually a few individuals or entities (i.e. “quota holders”) holding “quotas” in the company rather than shares.
Yes and no. Yes, if there’s a single quota holder (100% of the capital to be paid in full); no in case there are two or more quota holders. In this case, they can initially deposit a smaller share capital (25% in total – not for each!) and the rest shall be deposited when the directors call for it, in accordance with the needs of the company.
Advice: to favorably impress authorities (such as immigration authorities) banks, providers or clients it is advisable to have a higher capital (no less than 50,000 Euro for immigration purposes).
Yes. Anyone can access the Companies Registry and have a copy of the documents filed there. All corporate documentation (deed of incorporation, bylaws with appointed directors, balance sheet, profit and loss account, etc.) is subject to the same disclosure.
Not advisable. Tax Authorities expect a newly established company to start showing some activities after an initial period of 2 years or they will most likely make an assessment and request the payment of some taxes.
Advice: if you intend to sponsor an immigration application through the newco, you must provide documented evidence of economic activity and compliancy with social security/labour obligations.
This is highly advisable. A firm of accountants shall be hired from the beginning in order to accomplish all tax and social security obligations (please ask for contact information of trusted firms)
Yes. Even if operations are limited, some yearly recurring costs for corporate accomplishments (drafting yearly financials, VAT filings, etc.) do apply.
The process of establishing a can be entirely handled by a trusted consultant, with no need for the prospective quota holders to travel to Italy.
Mazzeschi S.r.l. | Operazione/Progetto finanziato nel quadro del POR FESR Toscana 2014-2020
Il progetto ITACA (ITaly Attract ChinA) è un investimento nei paesi/mercati a lingua cinese, in particolare Taiwan con l’obiettivo di accrescere le quote di mercato dell'azienda. Tramite ITACA la Mazzeschi Srl ha aperto un ufficio a Taiwan con assunzione di personale di lingua cinese, creato un sito internet in lingua cinese e partecipato a fiere e varie attività di promozione a Taiwan.
Mazzeschi S.r.l. | Project co-financed under Tuscany POR FESR 2014-2020
The ITACA project (ITaly Attract ChinA) is a fund to invest in Chinese-speaking countries/markets, in particular Taiwan with the aim of increasing the company's market shares. With the help of ITACA project, Mazzeschi Srl has opened an office in Taiwan and has hired a Chinese-speaking staff, created a Chinese website and participated in fairs and various promotional activities in Taiwan.