Setting up an S.r.l. (Italian limited company)

What it is

• In an S.r.l. only the company and its assets answer for its debts (with exceptions for a sole shareholder when contributions or disclosure rules were not met). (Codice civile, art. 2462 (responsabilità))
• It is formed by contract or unilateral act in a public deed drawn up by a notary, and becomes a legal person when entered in the Registro delle imprese. (Codice civile, art. 2463 (costituzione della S.r.l.); Codice civile, art. 2331 (effetti dell'iscrizione))

Who it is for

• Capital of at least €10,000, or lower down to €1.00: then contributions are cash only and paid in full, and part of profits goes to a reserve until reserve and capital reach €10,000. (Codice civile, art. 2463 (costituzione della S.r.l.))
• Shareholders can be individuals or entities. At signing, at least 25 % of cash contributions (100 % with a sole shareholder) must be paid to the management body; an insurance policy or bank guarantee can replace the payment. (Codice civile, art. 2463 (costituzione della S.r.l.); Codice civile, art. 2464 (conferimenti))
• A supervisory body or auditor is required if for two years in a row one of these limits is exceeded: total assets €4,000,000, revenue €4,000,000, 20 employees. (Codice civile, art. 2477 (organo di controllo))

What it costs

• Stamp duty on the incorporation deed registered online: €156.00, including the copy and the Registro delle imprese application. (D.P.R. 642/1972, Tariffa allegato A, art. 1, comma 1-bis.1 (imposta di bollo))
• Registry fees for entering a company: €90.00; stamp duty on other Registro delle imprese filings by limited companies: €65.00 (table of the Marche Chamber of Commerce). (Tabella diritti di segreteria e imposta di bollo)
• Annual chamber fee for a company registered in 2026: €120.00 in Rome (including that chamber's 50 % cut and 20 % surcharge); in later years it depends on turnover. (Diritto annuale 2026)
• A fixed registration tax is also due; the amount is not shown here because the consolidated tariff is still written in lire. Notary fees are not set by law: ask for a quote. (Codice civile, art. 2463 (costituzione della S.r.l.))

Taxes and contributions

• The S.r.l. pays corporate income tax (IRES) at 24 %. (TUIR (D.P.R. 917/1986), art. 73 (soggetti passivi IRES); TUIR (D.P.R. 917/1986), art. 77 (aliquota IRES))
• It also pays IRAP: a company's activity is always subject to it. Ordinary rate 3.9 % according to the 2026 IRAP instructions; regions can vary it by up to 0.92 % points. (D.Lgs. 446/1997, art. 2 (presupposto dell'IRAP); IRAP 2026 – Istruzioni per la compilazione; D.Lgs. 446/1997, art. 16 (aliquota IRAP) e nota di aggiornamento (47))
• VAT under the ordinary rules (standard rate 22 %). (D.P.R. 633/1972, art. 16 (aliquote IVA))
• INPS: a shareholder working in a trading S.r.l. can be registered with the traders' scheme; directors' pay falls under the Gestione separata (35.03 % for those not insured elsewhere). (Iscrizione alla Gestione commercianti; Circolare n. 8 del 3 febbraio 2026 (Gestione separata: aliquote 2026))

Bookkeeping

• Full bookkeeping is always required, plus the company books: decisions of the shareholders, of the directors and, if appointed, of the supervisory body. (D.P.R. 600/1973, art. 13 (obbligati alla tenuta delle scritture contabili); D.P.R. 600/1973, art. 14 (scritture contabili delle imprese commerciali, delle società e degli enti); Codice civile, art. 2478 (libri sociali obbligatori))
• The annual accounts go to the shareholders within 120 days of year-end and are filed with the Registro delle imprese within 30 days of approval. Below certain size limits an abridged form is allowed. (Codice civile, art. 2478-bis (bilancio); Codice civile, art. 2435-bis (bilancio in forma abbreviata))
• Electronic invoicing is mandatory; tax return (Redditi SC) by the last day of the tenth month after year-end; VAT return between 1 February and 30 April. (D.Lgs. 127/2015, art. 1 (fatturazione elettronica); D.P.R. 322/1998, art. 2 (dichiarazione dei redditi); D.P.R. 322/1998, art. 8 (dichiarazione IVA))

Steps

1. Incorporation deed as a public deed before a notary, with the contents required by art. 2463 c.c. (shareholders, name, registered office, purpose, capital, contributions, directors). (Codice civile, art. 2463 (costituzione della S.r.l.))
2. At signing, pay the capital to the management body: at least 25 % of cash contributions, 100 % with a sole shareholder or capital below €10,000. (Codice civile, art. 2464 (conferimenti); Codice civile, art. 2463 (costituzione della S.r.l.))
3. The notary files the deed with the Registro delle imprese within 10 days; the company exists once registered. (Codice civile, art. 2330 (deposito dell'atto costitutivo e iscrizione); Codice civile, art. 2331 (effetti dell'iscrizione))
4. A digital address (PEC) is mandatory for the company and for its sole director, managing director or chair, separate from the company's; without the company's PEC the application is suspended. (D.L. 185/2008, art. 16 (domicilio digitale delle società))
5. VAT number, INPS and start of activity through ComUnica to the Registro delle imprese; SCIA or other permits at the municipality's SUAP if the activity requires them. (D.L. 7/2007, art. 9 (Comunicazione unica); Legge 241/1990, art. 19 (SCIA); D.P.R. 160/2010, art. 2 (SUAP))