For Chinese companies
Local Unit in Italy
A stable, recognised base in Italy and the EU: we help you choose the right form and set it up.
What is a local unit?
A local unit (unità locale) is an operational or administrative facility of a foreign company in Italy: an office, a representative office, a warehouse. It is registered with the REA, the economic and administrative register of the local Chamber of Commerce, and has an Italian tax code.
It is the simplest way to be present: it does not require a new company or an Italian VAT number, and it can employ local staff. It is designed for preparatory and supporting activities: market research, promotion, contacts with customers and partners, logistics support.
A local unit does not trade in its own right: it does not sign contracts or issue invoices on behalf of the parent company. To sell in Italy, a branch or a subsidiary is needed.
Three ways to register in Italy
The right form depends on what you want to do in Italy. We assess it with you and our legal and tax partners, then take care of the set-up.
Local unit
Registered with the Chamber of Commerce (REA). For promotion, market research, contacts and logistics support. No Italian VAT number; it cannot sign contracts for the parent company.
Branch
Sede secondaria, registered with the Italian Business Register, with an Italian VAT number and a permanent representative. It sells and signs contracts in the name of the parent company, and is taxed in Italy on the profits it generates there.
Subsidiary
A new Italian company, for example an S.r.l., owned by the parent company. Full legal and financial autonomy: the most structured option for long-term operations.
Many companies start with a local unit and move to a branch or a subsidiary as their business in Italy grows.
How we support your company
We coordinate specialised legal and tax firms, including our partner Zedra Tax & Legal, so you deal with a single point of contact from the first assessment to day-to-day management.
- Choice of the right form, based on your plans in Italy
- Preparation of the parent company’s documents: certificate of incorporation, legalisation or apostille, sworn translation into Italian
- Italian tax code and registration with the Chamber of Commerce
- Appointment of the legal or social security representative
- Accounting, payroll and ongoing compliance after the opening
For the Italian VAT number, VIES registration, accounting and tax representation, see our dedicated page.
An office in Milan for your local unit
A local unit needs a real address. Our office at Via Vittor Pisani 10, in Milan’s main business district, can host it: furnished offices, a meeting room and a multilingual welcome desk, a short walk from Milano Centrale station.