Italy is a strategic destination for foreign companies, thanks to its advanced and highly specialised industrial base, ranking third in the euro area and ninth worldwide in terms of manufacturing output, with outstanding strengths in luxury, design, food, fashion, and high-end mechanics. Despite moderate growth, the economy shows signs of resilience: GDP grew by 0.7% in 2024, supported by domestic demand and exports, while the public deficit fell to 3.4% of GDP, down sharply from 7.2% in 2023. Prospects for 2025–2026 point to moderate economic growth between 0.6% and 0.9%, driven in particular by investments linked to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP/RRIF) and a recovery in consumption. The unemployment rate is trending downwards, currently at around 6%, while inflation remains contained (below 2%).
Italy offers an innovative, high-quality economic ecosystem, with centres of excellence in key niche sectors, a stable environment with room for growth supported by EU funds, competitive labour costs in highly specialised contexts, and a solid domestic market—factors which, together with ongoing reforms and NRRP implementation, enhance the country’s attractiveness.
If you are interested in investing in or setting up a business in Italy, you may find below institutional resources, operational tools, and a summary of the main Italy–Thailand bilateral agreements relevant to trade and investment.
Information and tools for investors:
- Invest in Italy (ICE–ITA) – sector overviews, strategic areas, investor assistance services. It is the institutional entry point for locating projects in Italy.
- Investor Visa for Italy (MIMIT) – a “fast-track” channel for an investor visa subject to specific commitments (e.g. investment of €2 million in government bonds; €500,000 in an Italian company; €250,000 in an innovative start-up; €1 million philanthropic donation). Full requirements and procedures are available on the ministerial portal.
- Italia Startup Visa / Startup Hub – dedicated programme for non-EU entrepreneurs wishing to create or join innovative start-ups in Italy; provides a centralised clearance procedure.
- Incentives and reliefs – the Incentivi.gov.it search engine gathers national measures (including those under the NRRP) for companies and investors. For large projects, the Development Contract managed by Invitalia is available.
- Operational assistance for investors – Invitalia supports set-ups (site search, incentives, facilitation of permits).
Macroeconomic data and background information:
- Department of the Treasury (MEF) – macro-financial analyses and official documents on Italy’s economy and public finances.
- Bank of Italy – Statistics – indicators on credit, payments, prices, balance of payments, etc.
- Ambrosetti – on the dedicated page you can find previous editions (in English) of “Business Insights from Italy”. [click here]
Practicalities for starting a business:
- SUAP – Impresainungiorno.gov.it – the One-Stop Shop for Productive Activities: online channel for starting a business, SCIA filings, permits and communications with the competent Municipality. In eligible cases, start-up is enabled via “Comunicazione Unica”.
- Companies Register (InfoCamere) – public register of Italian companies (company extracts, financial statements, corporate offices).
Focus: Companies Register
The portal enables online searches of the Italian Companies Register, with access to company extracts, financial and statements as well as trademark and patent archives and (for many functions) the registers of other EU countries.