Opening a foreign branch in Italy: complete guide
How to open a foreign branch in Italy: legal requirements, notarial procedures, costs, tax advantages, and differences with subsidiaries.
Business in Italy
Sep 12, 2025
4 min read
Read More
Branch Office Establishment
Expand your international business into the Italian market
Enter the Italian market with simplified corporate structure
Maintain control from the parent company
Test the Italian market with contained investments
Legal representation of the parent company in Italy
Success Statistics
Chosen by those who are accustomed to the best. With us, success is guaranteed.
5+
Available Languages
We understand you, always
99.5%
Client Satisfaction
Your success is our success
0
Hidden Fees
Clear prices, zero surprises
365
Days of Support
Always by your side
Introduction
What You Need to Know
Everything you need to know about opening a secondary establishment in Italy
Do you want to bring your international business to Italy without opening a new company? A branch office, or secondary establishment, is the perfect solution for foreign companies wishing to operate on Italian territory efficiently while maintaining control from the parent company.
It is the ideal option for testing the market, establishing local commercial relationships, and preparing the groundwork for future expansion. Future Italian guides you step by step, from initial strategy to official registration.
Once registration is approved, the secondary establishment is officially recognized in Italy and can open bank accounts, sign contracts, issue invoices, and hire personnel, legally representing the foreign parent company on Italian territory. From this moment, you can also evaluate the transfer of qualified personnel from abroad through the intra-company transfer visa.
Ready to start your journey? Follow the steps below to understand the complete process.
Step 1
Who can open a branch office in Italy?
Any company with legal headquarters abroad can open a branch office in Italy, provided it meets the following principal requirements:
🏢
Required
Foreign company established
The foreign company is regularly established and registered in the country of origin
🖊️
Required
Formal decision
Formal decision to open the secondary establishment in Italy
👤
Required
Legal representative
Appointment of a representative/manager in Italy
Processing times and procedures
⏰
Registration Times
Timeline for establishment opening
Chamber of Commerce registration: 7-15 business days
Tax code and business opening: 5-10 days
Bank account opening: 5-10 days
Total estimated time: 1-2 months to complete everything
Times may vary based on the city and completeness of documents
🏛️
Submission Methods
Where to submit documentation
Local Chamber of Commerce for secondary establishment registration
Revenue Agency for tax code and VAT number
INPS/INAIL for social security position opening
Banking institution for corporate current account opening
All documents must be in Italian and comply with standards required by competent authorities
Step 2
Step 2: Required Documents
Complete document checklist for your application
🏢
Corporate Documents
Certificate of registration of foreign company (translated and legalized)
Articles of incorporation and bylaws (translated and legalized)
Official resolution to open the Italian establishment
📋
Operational Documents
Appointment of legal representative in Italy
Operational address of the establishment in Italy
Tax code of the representative
Translations and Legalizations
Sworn translations and legalizations/apostilles of foreign documents
Translation & Legalization
All foreign documents must be translated into Italian by a sworn translator and legalized/apostilled according to international agreements.
We Handle Everything
With Future Italian, we manage the entire branch office establishment process, from initial strategy to final registration. Our experience guarantees total compliance with Italian regulations and optimized timelines.
Step 3
Step 3: Application Process
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
1
Strategy and Planning
Analysis of the optimal corporate structure for your branch office in Italy. Definition of market entry strategy and evaluation of legal and tax requirements.
2
Documentation Preparation
Collection of all corporate documents from the parent company. Sworn translations, legalizations/apostilles and preparation of complete documentation.
3
Chamber of Commerce Registration
Submission of the application to the local Chamber of Commerce. Registration of the secondary establishment in the Companies Register.
4
Tax Compliance
Request for tax code and VAT number at the Revenue Agency. Opening INPS/INAIL positions if necessary.
5
Bank Account Opening
Opening of corporate current account at an Italian bank. Activation of banking services for commercial operations.
6
Full Operations
The branch office is officially operational. It can sign contracts, issue invoices, hire personnel and represent the parent company in Italy.
🎉 Your Italian branch office is officially registered! You can now operate legally in Italy and the European market.
How long does it take?
The complete branch office establishment process from document preparation to official registration.
1-2
months
Average processing time
How Future Italian Can Help You
Opening a branch office in Italy requires deep knowledge of Italian corporate and tax regulations. With Future Italian, every step is guided by experts who guarantee total compliance and optimized timelines for your entry into the Italian market.
Personalized consultation
Personalized consultation on legal structure and strategy for entering the Italian market, analyzing the optimal structure to maximize tax and operational advantages.
Complete documentary assistance
Complete documentary assistance, including legalization and sworn translation of all corporate documents necessary for registration in Italy.
Compilation and submission support
Support in compiling and submitting the application to all involved entities, guaranteeing total compliance with Italian regulatory requirements.
Constant monitoring
Constant monitoring until final registration, with regular updates on progress status and prompt resolution of any issues.
Post-opening support
Post-opening support for accounting, tax codes, tax procedures and assistance for potential personnel transfer from abroad through intra-company visa.
You evolve your future. We manage the transition.
With Future Italian, you're never alone
Start your journey to Italy and discover how to turn your dream into reality
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Free Assessment
No Obligations
Expert Guidance
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
A branch office (secondary establishment) does not have separate legal personality from the parent company, while a subsidiary is an autonomous Italian company. A branch is simpler to establish and manage, but responsibility remains with the parent company. A subsidiary offers greater autonomy and asset protection.
The complete process generally requires 1-2 months: 7-15 days for Chamber of Commerce registration, 5-10 days for tax code and VAT number, plus time to prepare and legalize documents from the parent company. Times may vary based on city and documentation completeness.
Administrative costs include: chamber fees (approximately €200-500), registration tax (€200), translations and legalizations of documents (€500-1500), plus our assistance services. No minimum capital is required as for companies.
Yes, the branch office can hire Italian and foreign personnel according to local regulations. It must open INPS/INAIL positions and respect national collective agreements. It can also transfer personnel from the parent company through intra-company visa.
The secondary establishment can perform commercial, promotional, representative and operational activities on behalf of the parent company. It can issue invoices, sign contracts, open bank accounts. It cannot perform activities different from those of the parent company.
Yes, it is mandatory to have an operational address in Italy for registration. It can be a rented or owned office or even a coworking space, provided it is documentable with a rental contract or property title.
No, the legal representative can be of any nationality, but must have representation powers conferred by the parent company. If foreign non-EU, they might need a residence permit for work.
The branch is subject to Italian taxation (IRES and IRAP) only on income produced in Italy. It is important to correctly define profit attribution to the Italian establishment to avoid double taxation, using international conventions.
Yes, it is possible to transform the branch office into an Italian company (SRL or SPA) subsequently. This process requires corporate reorganization but allows maintaining operational and contractual continuity.
The branch must keep separate accounting in Italy, file Italian tax returns, deposit the translated parent company balance sheet at the Chamber of Commerce. It must comply with all Italian tax and social security obligations.
Still have questions?
Every case is unique. Get personalized answers to your specific situation with a free assessment.
Response within 24h
Free assessment
Detailed quote
Related Articles
Learn more with our expert insights and guides
