Good news for the new business in Italy. You can choose any the name you want, even the name of an existing company. In many countries, such as England where I am also registered lawyer, you can’t call your business with the same name of an existing company, to avoid confusion and fraud. This is [...]
Setting up as a sole trader is one of the most popular way to start a business in Italy, and it’s still quite common because it’s easy and cheap. Sole trader registration is straightforward, accountancy is simpler than a limited company, and you can use part of the money in the bank account for your [...]
Subsidiary is a general name for every Italian company owned by a foreign company. If your foreign company setup an Italian limited company (SRL) or an Italian joint stock company (SPA) or an Italian partnership (SAS) or any other form of company, these companies are all called "subsidiaries". In short a Subsidiary is not a [...]
From the very moment my firm open the doors in 2005, I was regularly asked if Italy allows shelf companies. If you are not familiar with the term, a 'shelf company' or 'ready made company' is a company incorporated by a firm without a client. The company is then archived (thus "put on a shelf") [...]
A Light Branch is an excellent choice for any business which want to expand into Italy, but want to avoid all the costs associated with incorporating a new subsidiary. A Light Branch has all the capabilities of a Representative Office; It has a company number and it is duly registered at the Chamber of Commerce [...]
If you are looking for a Power of Attorney: In Italy, you need to ask for a 'Procura' If you are looking for a General Power of Attorney In Italy, you need to ask for a "Procura Generale" If you are looking for a Special Power of Attorney In Italy, you need to ask for [...]
Buy or sell a limited company in Italy is simple, you just need to buy or sell its shares. Right? Well, not completely. Yes you have to transfer the shares, however the process could be a small nightmare, and requires all the parties to physically meet in front of a notary public. Good news: the [...]
This is my first book review and - guess what? - it's about one of my potential competitor (joking). Starting a Business in Italy by Emma Bird and Mario Berri is the first book I bought on Amazon.com when I started my own firm. I like to scout what other authors say about doing business [...]
I have read quite often on the internet about a mighty Italian Limited Liability Partnership (S.A.S. or Società in Accomandita Semplice). Well, that's wrong. An Italian Limited Partnership has NO Limited Liability at All. The managing partners of an Italian Partnership (SAS) have full liability, and they guarantee the debt of the company with all [...]
The SpA is the most prestigious company in Italy, similar to the PLC in UK and the public corporation in USA. If your business requires trust more than usual, or you need to work with significant letter of credits or loans, you should probably start your Italian venture with a SPA. Another common reason to [...]