Italy: Operating a Business

Legal Forms of Companies

Types of Companies and Capital (Max/Min)	Number of Partners/Shareholders and Liability
La Societa a responsabilita limitata (SRL) is a limited liability company. EUR 10,000 minimum, 3/10 fully subscribed and paid up at the creation of the company.	no limitations Liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.
La Societa per azioni (SpA) is a public limited company EUR 120,000 minimum, 3/10 fully subscribed and paid up at the creation of the company.	no limitations Their liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.
La Societa in nome Collettivo (SNC) is a general partnership no minimum capital.	no limitations Their liability is joint and indefinite.
La Societa in Accomandita Semplice (SAS) is a limited joint-stock partnership . no minimum capital.	There are two types of partners, the active partners and the silent partners. The liability of the active partners is unlimited.
La Societa Cooperativa (SC) is a cooperative society. no minimum capital.	no limitations Their liability is limited or unlimited according to the Articles of Association.

Enterprises Federation: Union of SMEs
Italian confederation of SMEs (CONFAPI)
INSME
Search a Company or a Financial Report: Info Camere

Source: Doing Business.

For Further Information: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Italy.
Infocamere, only in Italian.
The Competent Organization: The administrative procedures must be analysed by a legal affairs office of the Ministry of Justice.

The activity of the company is subject to abilitazioni (certificate of professional aptitude), to autorizzazioni o licenze (licenses) and to the denuncia di inizio attività (declaration of beginning of activity).
Chambers of Commerce provide companies with support services in training and internationalization and gather necessary economic information concerning aspects of entrepreneurial activity.

Principle: It depends on the type of company.
The Tribunal appoints a single judge for the bankrupt company, whereas more may be appointed for the creditors. The assets of the bankrupt company must be distinct according to the share of each of the members. After five years, the bankrupt company may be re-formed.
For further information, visit the Fis website.

	2010
Labor Force	25,050,000

Source: CIA - The world factbook

Source: UN - United Nations

For Further Statistics: Ministry of Labor
For Further Information About the Labor Market: National agency for investment development

Working Rest Day: One or two days a week.
Paid Annual Vacation: The minimum is one week a year; but it depends on the type of contract and responsibilities.
Retirement Age: 65 with a minimum of 25 years' contributions.
Child Labor and Minimum Age For Employment: 15
Informal Labor Market: Undeclared work is increasing. In 2007, a rise of 44% was registered from 2006's figures. The unofficial economy in Italy represents 14 million EUR and about 2,951 irregular workers.

Minimum Wage: There is no legal minimum wage.
Average Wage: About EUR 1,100/1,200 per month. It is one of the lowest in Europe.

Contributions: Contributions Paid By the Employer: 30 %
Contributions Paid By the Employee: 10%
Competent Organization: National Institute of Social Providence

Method of Recruitment: More and more, recruitment is being carried out via the Internet. If their CV is selected, candidates are invited for interviews with the management of the company concerned.
Recruitment Agencies: There are public or private recruitment agencies. Recruitment can be carried out via their services or directly by the company concerned.
Recruitment Websites: Infojob.it
Job on line
Agenzie Interinali

Type of Contract: The work contract is governed by legal provisions and to a lesser extent by collective agreements.
The work contract, conditions of hiring and dismissal are quite strict.

There are open-ended contracts, fixed term contracts, or contracts for specific tasks or occasional services.

Breach of Contracts
Retirement: It may be agreed and voluntary. You have to give at least one month's notice.
Dismissals: There are no restrictions, except in the case of a pregnant woman or illness.

Unionization Rate: Between 70 and 79%.
Unions: Unione italiana del lavoro
Confederazione generale italiana del lavoro (CGIL)
Confederazione italiana sindacati dei lavoratori (CISL)

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