Branch offices in Rome

How to Open a Branch Office or Representative Office in Rome

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A registered office of a foreign company must fulfil two requirements. It must be a permanent seat for the legal representative of the company and must offer a standing representation: it must be run by a director who is appointed as legal representative of the company. This person represents the firm before third parties and strikes deals with a certain degree of autonomy from the company’s headquarters.
A branch office is a more developed entity, fully capable of conducting business in its own name, but still acting on behalf of the parent company. It is an operational or management installation.
A representative office or an agency do not conduct any business activities, but are used to research the markets, to build a network of contacts, to gather and distribute information, promote the image of your foreign company in Rome. These two structures represent the company, but are not legal representative, so they cannot conduct business in the name and on behalf of the company.
A subsidiary is an incorporated entity created abroad Italy, in accordance with one of the Italian business structures. Its capital is either fully controlled by the foreign parent company, or is shared with a minority Italian partner. The subsidiary is the only kind of secondary establishment who has legal personality and is legally independent from its parent company.
In order to open a registered office, you need to file an establishment deed with a notary. Second step is to register with the Business register of Rome’s Chamber of Commerce (see Section 2508 of the Italian Civil Code) either within 30 days from the date of filing the deed or within 45 days from the deed date. Applications must be submitted to the Business Register by computer or in person to the Business register desk. It is always preferable to go in person, this way the desk personnel can immediately warn you about any problem or missing document, and help you solve the problem quickly.
When filing your applications, you must enclose an authentic copy of the deed establishing the company's registered office, registered in the Registry Office. Registry Offices are desks in the Tax Agencies.
The representative office must be directed by your legal representative in Rome. The legal representative can be appointed in the deed establishing the registered office. If you don’t wish to name him in this deed, you may do so. In this case you should also file a separate deed appointing your legal representative in Rome and register this deed too in the Registry Office. Both registered deeds must be submitted to the Business Register.
Deeds may be written in a foreign language, but in this case they must be accompanied by a translation into Italian, certified as being corresponding to the foreign text by the relevant Italian diplomatic or consular authority or by an official translator.
To properly open a branch office, you must register with Rome’s Chamber of Commerce within 30 days from the opening date. Applications may be submitted by computer (you will need a registered digital signature) or signed by the person who legally represents the company and handed in person to the Business Register desk. Upon initial registration entrepreneurs must enclose a certificate issued by the office in the foreign state which deals with issues corresponding to those of the Register of Enterprises in Italy, containing company information and legal representatives, translated and certified by a Court expert or an Italian Embassy or Consulate based in the foreign country, or by an official translator.
There are several official resources created by Italian and European authorities to help entrepreneurs setting up and manage branches and registered offices.
The Chamber of Commerce of Rome, assists firms in the administrative procedures required for opening a branch or a registered office.
The National Agency for inward investment promotion and enterprise development provides further information and assistance on how to set up branches or offices in Rome. It is especially useful in providing advice on financing and fiscal issues, as well information about tax relief for new businesses.
The Enterprise Europe Network is an European network that offers information and advice to entrepreneurs through its local partners. The network has several contact points in Rome.
SOLVIT is another European institution aimed to help entrepreneurs solving problems caused by an incorrect application of EU market rules by public authorities. The Italian contact points will offer a quick and practical help. 
To open a representative office or agency there are no special requirements or procedures. Since these entities cannot carry out any business operations, but will only conduct operations useful for the company, they must not be registered with the Chamber of Commerce of Rome or the Business Register.
If you want to open a subsidiary, or don’t own a business activity outside Italy, or don’t want to open a secondary establishment in Rome and want to start a new company, you can choose the structure better suited to fulfil your requirements.
 

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