Startup in Italy: how to enter and grow

Open an office in Italy for foreign startups

Italy is increasingly chosen by foreign startups and scaleups as an access point to the European market.
However, opening an operational office in Italy requires an accurate assessment of legal, fiscal and accounting aspects, to avoid mistakes that could slow growth or generate future risks.

It is precisely on these issues that Primieri Studio was involved as a speaker in the Global Scaleup Program — A Bridge to Tunisia, an open innovation initiative promoted by Terna as part of Terna Innovation Zone Tunis, with the support of international partners in the innovation ecosystem, including ELIS, Microsoft and Mind the Bridge.

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The workshop: how to properly structure your entry into Italy

During the workshop “How to open a branch in Italy — Legal, Tax, and Fiscal Aspects”, held by Nicola Primieri, the main issues that every foreign startup must solve before entering the Italian market have been addressed in a practical way.

In particular, the focus was on:

• Branch or Italian company? Operational, tax and liability differences.
• Stable organization and tax risks often underestimated.
• Accounting and administrative obligations to be adopted from day one.
• International tax planning for startups in the scaleup phase.
• Most common mistakes that slow down operations in Italy and may generate additional costs or legal problems.

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The challenge

Opening an office in Italy involves several operational and strategic challenges for foreign startups:

• Decide between an Italian branch or an Italian company, evaluating operational, fiscal and liability differences.
• Managing the permanent establishment and the often underestimated tax risks.
• Adopt correct accounting and administrative obligations immediately.
• Plan international taxation during scaleup.
• Avoid common mistakes that slow down operations and can generate additional costs or legal problems.

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Our intervention

Studio Primieri accompanied the participating startups offering practical and concrete assistance, based on the experience gained daily with international clients:

• Preventive analysis of the most efficient structure.
• Evaluation of branch vs Italian company based on accountability, taxation and governance.
• Full tax, accounting and compliance support.
• Definition of administrative obligations from day one.
• International tax planning for growing scaleups.
• Support in the growth phase, with continuous advice to avoid slowdowns and operational risks.
• Interlocution with Italian investors and stakeholders, to facilitate the attraction of capital and business opportunities.

The approach adopted is concrete, decision-oriented and designed for those who do business, speaking the language of startups and responding to their operational needs.

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Why rely on a specialized firm

During the discussion with the participating startups, a key point emerged: opening an office in Italy is not a bureaucratic act, but a strategic choice which impacts on governance, taxation and ability to attract investors.

The experience gained in international settings and open innovation programs allows Studio Primieri to understand the real operational needs of startups and to speak their language.

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The results

The path followed has allowed startups to obtain:

• Una correct operational and legal structure, suitable for growing in Italy.
• La optimal management of tax and accounting risks from day one.
• Strategic and operational support to attract local investors and stakeholders.
• Access to a international open innovation ecosystem, with practical knowledge on the Italian market.