Italy Corporate & Legal Advisory
We help international businesses establish, structure and operate companies in Italy with full legal and tax compliance.

Trusted by international entrepreneurs entering the Italian market / BCA Unternehmensberatung - Italian Desk

  • Company Formation
    Establish a company in Italy with full legal and administrative support.
  • Legal Advisory
    Corporate law, contracts and structuring for international business.
  • Tax Advisory
    Corporate tax, VAT and international tax planning in Italy.
Why Businesses Choose Italy?
Italy remains one of Europe’s largest economies and an important gateway to the EU market. With a strong industrial base, access to European trade networks and a growing innovation ecosystem, the country offers significant opportunities for international companies. At the same time, the Italian legal and tax environment can be complex. Professional guidance is essential to structure business operations correctly from the beginning.
Typical Corporate Structures Used by International Businesses
Structure
When it is used
Key features
SRL (Limited Liability Company)
Most common structure for SMEs
Flexible governance and moderate capital requirements
Branch of Foreign Company
Expansion of an existing foreign business
No separate legal entity, but full Italian taxation
Holding Company
Investment and group structuring
Participation exemption and dividend optimisation
Representative Office
Market research and initial presence
No commercial activity allowed

Typical Mandates

Our Italian desk regularly supports international clients in complex cross-border projects involving corporate structuring, market entry and legal compliance.

  • Establishment of Italian subsidiaries for EU market expansion

    We assist international groups in establishing Italian subsidiaries, typically in the form of a Società a responsabilità limitata (S.r.l.) or Società per azioni (S.p.A.), to support expansion into the Italian and wider EU market. Our services include corporate structuring, preparation of constitutional documents, coordination with Italian notaries, registration with the Registro delle Imprese, tax identification procedures and the establishment of the operational legal framework for the new entity.

  • Structuring holding companies for international investment groups

    We advise international investors on the creation of Italian holding structures designed to manage participations in operating companies. Our work includes structuring shareholding arrangements, analysing the applicability of the Italian participation exemption regime, and designing corporate governance frameworks that align with group-level investment strategies and cross-border ownership structures.

  • Legal support for acquisitions of Italian businesses

    We provide legal assistance in M&A transactions involving Italian target companies, including preliminary structuring of the acquisition, legal due diligence, negotiation of share purchase agreements and coordination with local advisers and notaries. Our team supports international investors throughout the acquisition process, ensuring compliance with Italian corporate, regulatory and tax requirements.

  • Corporate restructuring and shareholder agreements

    We assist shareholders and corporate groups in implementing corporate reorganisations (operazioni straordinarie)under Italian company law, including mergers, demergers, capital restructurings and changes in shareholding structures. Our work also includes the drafting and negotiation of patti parasociali (shareholder agreements) governing voting rights, transfer restrictions and corporate governance arrangements.

  • Tax structuring for international operations in Italy

    We advise international companies on the tax structuring of their Italian operations, including the assessment of permanent establishment risks, optimisation of corporate tax exposure, and compliance with Italian VAT and withholding tax rules. Our approach combines corporate structuring with practical tax planning to ensure operational efficiency and full compliance with Italian fiscal regulations.
How We Work: Our Process for Establishing a Company in Italy
Submit your request
Submit a request describing your business activity, ownership structure and plans for operating in Italy. This allows us to assess the appropriate corporate form and regulatory requirements before starting the engagement.
Initial Consultation
We conduct an initial consultation to analyse your business model, planned activities in Italy and cross-border structure. At this stage we identify the most suitable legal and tax framework for your project.
Legal and Tax Structuring
Our team designs the optimal corporate structure for your Italian operations, taking into account corporate law, taxation, shareholder arrangements and potential cross-border implications.
Company Formation
Preparation of incorporation documents, coordination with the Italian notary and registration of the company with the Registro delle Imprese. We also assist with obtaining tax identification numbers and completing the initial compliance procedures.
Setup Bank Account
We support the opening of a corporate bank account and assist with compliance procedures required by Italian financial institutions, including documentation related to shareholders and ultimate beneficial owners.
Ongoing Legal and Tax Support
Following incorporation, we continue to assist clients with corporate compliance, tax advisory, governance matters and legal support related to operating a business in Italy.
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