Invest in Italy

Italy, an attractive destination for foreign investment and large donations

Here are a few reasons why people should consider starting their own business or investing in Italy in 2023.

First, Italy is one of the world’s top economies and markets. It is the 3rd largest economy in the Eurozone and the 8th largest in the world, with a population of more than 60 million and a GDP per capita of more than 30,000 dollars. Its domestic market has great potential: it offers countless business opportunities to expand businesses in strategic sectors such as logistics, tourism, renewable energies, green-tech and biotech projects. Italy is commonly known as one of the most industrialized countries in the world. Their reliable and developed production industry makes them a prime location for manufacturing. A key global player in manufacturing and export. For over 30 years, Italy has been the 2nd largest manufacturing economy in Europe, surpassed only by Germany, and is the 7th top manufacturer in the world, with 2.1% global manufacturing output.

According to the Global Attractiveness Index 2023, Italy reached 17th place, in the medium-low attractiveness range. In first place is, once again, Germany, with a score of 100, followed by the United States (94.7) and the United Kingdom (92.7). The positioning of Italy has improved significantly, recording the largest change in the ranking of the country since the creation of the Index.

A strategic logistics hub connecting global markets. Its strategic position, located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, makes Italy the main crossroads linking all of Europe. For this reason, it represents a key gateway to the European Market as well as to the close Northern African and Middle Eastern countries.

Primary exports for Italy include things such as metals and metal products, clothing and footwear, and motor vehicles. This industry alone contributed $314 billion to the national economy in 2018.

From a more sectoral point of view, according to the European Commission’s Report on economic, social, and territorial cohesion published in Dec 2021, Italy is the European country with the highest percentage of recycling of all waste (79.3%, double the EU average of 39.2%), as well as one of the most sustainable agriculture in Europe.

A highly competitive machinery sector and a strong ‘Made in Italy’ brand. Made in Italy is a driving force of the Italian economy: to invest in Italy means having access to its unique export know-how in sectors such as machinery and automation, fashion, design, and food. Italy has also opened up to foreign investment in sensitive sectors such as energy, networks, telecommunications and transport in recent years.

Excellence in R&D. Italy claims a strong network of research institutes, technological hubs, and innovative incubators, often linked to universities. An example is the big project that is being developed in the ex-Expo area, which is called Human Technopole, and will collect research groups, research centers, and core facilities focused on Genomics and Data Science.

An unparalleled cultural offer and the country brand. Italy is gifted with traces of a cultural heritage formed over 2,500 years. All of this, combined with its world-famous art, music, and food culture, gives the ‘Bel Paese’ an unrivalled quality of life. In fact, Italy is ranked 1st at a global level for UNESCO World Heritage sites (53), and it is one of the world’s top tourism destinations, with over 50 million visitors each year.

Finally, Italy is firmly open to foreign investment: Italy’s open economy welcomes investors. The country has implemented significant reforms to gain investor trust and confidence, including forming a high-level committee within the MISE. The Italian Trade Agency offers a “one-stop shop” for pre-investment information, business set-up support, and ongoing after-care for incentives and contracts.

Moreover investing in a genuine Italian company would allow you to gain experience in trading a Made in Italy product, which represents an incomparable added value to the investment, independently to the sector you will invest in.

Italy covers 0.5% of Planet Earth, and 0.83% of human beings live there. Bio-climatic conditions are unique, and for this reason, Italy is the first country in the world in terms of biodiversity:
• It has 7,000 different plants, followed by Brazil with 3,000 plants;
• 58,000 animal species, followed by China with 20,000;
• 1,800 spontaneous grape varieties, followed by France with 200;
• 997 honey types, we have 1,227 globally;
• 140 wheat types, the United States has 6.
Italy has 70% of artistic and humanitarian heritage, while the remaining 30% is spread all over the planet. In conclusion, we dwell in the Garden of Eden, but not all Italians recognize and respect it.

The 2017 Budget Law introduces in the Immigration Law a new “entry visa for investors” which will entitle foreign investors to an advantageous treatment, only provided that they will carry out a durable investment in Italy or a large donation involving benefits for Italian culture and research. The decree-law 19 May 2020, n. 34, reduced the minimum investment amount in the capital of an ordinary company from EUR 1,000,000 to 500,000, and from EUR 500,000 to 250,000 if in the capital of an innovative startup, respectively.
Investors and golden donors seeking to conduct their business activity in Italy will be allowed to enter and stay in Italy, initially for two years with the possibility of a three more years extension. The visa is also extendable to family members.

Moreover, if you move your fiscal residence to Italy you’ll also have considerable tax benefits.

Getting your visa is easy and quick: InvestorVisa.it is the service created to help you select the best investment or donation opportunity and manage all the bureaucratic procedures for visa and residence permits.

See the Entry Visa Italy website…

A Guide provided by the Italian Notariat