Guide · 6 min read
Opening a business or restaurant in Italy as a foreigner
By Nicolas Spoglianti, Italian restaurant & business consultant
Italy is a wonderful place to open a business — and a complex one. Rules change between regions and municipalities, timelines can be long, and the costs that surprise newcomers are rarely the obvious ones. Here is how to approach it so the dream stays a good investment.
1. Start from the market, not from the property
Many projects begin with a beautiful building. The better starting point is the customer: who will buy, how much they spend, in which months. Tourist areas are seasonal; cities like Milan, Bologna or Verona have steadier year-round demand.
2. Get local professionals on board early
Residency and visa questions, company structure, tax regime and social security contributions need an Italian accountant (commercialista) and, where relevant, a lawyer or immigration advisor. I work alongside them so the business plan reflects real Italian costs and taxes.
3. Build a business plan with Italian numbers
- Rent, deposits and the cost of adapting the premises
- Labour costs, including contributions and severance accruals (TFR)
- Taxes and the timing of payments, which affect cash flow
- Seasonality and the months needed to reach break-even
4. Permits depend on the activity and the municipality
Restaurants and bars, shops, beauty centres and accommodation (B&B, guesthouses, holiday rentals) each have their own requirements, communications and registrations, usually handled through the municipality's business desk (SUAP). Check them before signing a lease or buying a property.
5. Suppliers, staff and the Italian way of doing business
Relationships matter: good suppliers and professionals often come through referrals. Hiring follows national collective agreements; plan contracts, training and schedules in advance.
6. Open with a plan for the first year
Brand, a bilingual website, Google Business Profile and reviews bring the first customers. Then review the numbers every month and adjust prices, offer and costs quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle visas, company registration or taxes?
No. Those are handled by qualified Italian professionals; I coordinate with them and focus on the business itself — market, plan, numbers, suppliers, organisation and launch.
Where in Italy do you work?
In person across Veneto, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Piedmont, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige, and remotely everywhere else.
Do you speak English?
Yes — we work in English, Italian, French and Spanish.