Set Up an Online Shop in Italy

Retail is one of the most prolific sectors in the Italian economy with many local and foreign citizens seeking to start their own business registering high rates of success. From small grocery stores to supermarkets or shops selling specific items, setting up a store in Italy is quite simple. According to the latest surveys, it seems easier to create an online store in Italy as e-commerce generated more than 22 billion euros to Italy’s budget in 2017.

Foreign and local investors who want to open an online shop in this country must follow several steps and comply with the legislation applicable to electronic commerce. Our Italian company formation agents can offer information on the e-commerce legislation.

Steps to create an online store in Italy

The creation of an Italian online shop is easy; however, it implies a few steps more than when opening a traditional store. The following steps must be completed upon the registration of an online business in Italy:

• -          registering a company or as a sole trader;
• -          registering with the local municipality;
• -          registering for tax and VAT purposes;
• -          setting up a website;
• -          registering a domain name for the online shop.

The domain name registration and having the website created are the additional steps to follow when opening an online store in Italy and it will generate additional costs.

Our company registration consultants in Italy can assist with the registration of the company with the Trade Register.

Additional requirements when setting up an online shop in Italy

Compare to a traditional store, opening an online shop also implies a few additional requisites among which the creation of a merchant account and data protection protocols in order to facilitate the clients’ experience, respectively to ensure the protection of personal information.

Also, import licenses are required for products brought from outside the country, just like in the case of any other businesses selling goods. All goods sold by an online shop in Italy must be accompanied by an electronic contract.

For full information on the requirements related to starting an online shop in Italy, please contact us. We can also assist foreign investors with the registration of a company in Italy.