Business in Italy
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.
4 min readĀ·Sep 17, 2025Read article
Italian
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
Book a free consultation today. We'll map out your exact path to Italy.
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Introduction
What You Need to Know
Everything you need to know about opening a secondary establishment in Italy
A branch office allows a foreign company to operate in Italy without creating a separate legal entity. No minimum share capital is required. The parent company maintains full control while the branch can open bank accounts, sign contracts, issue invoices, and hire local personnel.
Registration requires a resolution from the parent company, a legal representative in Italy, and corporate documents with sworn translation and legalization submitted to the Chamber of Commerce. The process takes 7 to 15 business days, with total setup typically completed within one to two months.
The branch is subject to Italian corporate tax (IRES) and regional tax (IRAP) only on income produced in Italy. It can also facilitate Intra-Company Transfer visas for qualified personnel.
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:
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Required
Foreign company established
The foreign company is regularly established and registered in the country of origin
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Required
Formal decision
Formal decision to open the secondary establishment in Italy
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Required
Legal representative
Appointment of a representative/manager in Italy
Processing times and procedures
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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
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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
Required Documents
Complete document checklist for your application
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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
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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
Application Process
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
Analysis of the optimal corporate structure for your branch office in Italy. Definition of market entry strategy and evaluation of legal and tax requirements.
How long does it take?
1-2months
We Handle Everything
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
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
READY TO START?Your Italian Future
Your Italian Future
Starts Here
Relocate to Italy with a clear, expert-led plan from day one.
From the Blog
Insights that make the process easier
Practical guidance on visas, residency, and Italian bureaucracy, written by our team.
