Investing in Italy offers numerous opportunities and advantages, granting access to an immense wealth of intellectual and specialized expertise that is unique worldwide, along with extraordinary know-how in various strategic sectors. Here are the main reasons why Italy stands out as an attractive destination for foreign businesses and the development of international investment projects.
One of the world’s leading economies and markets
Italy ranks as the third-largest economy in the Eurozone in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and tenth worldwide, with a total value of approximately $2 trillion (World Bank, 2022). The domestic market presents numerous business opportunities, supported by a population of around 60 million and a per-capita GDP exceeding $34,000.
Between 2020 and 2023, Italy recorded a 4.9% increase in per capita GDP compared to 2019. Among G7 nations, only the United States performed better, with a 5.5% growth. Japan (2.8%) and Canada (1.3%) followed at a greater distance, while other economies showed minimal or no growth: the UK (0.4%), France (0.1%), and Germany (-1%). Compared to 2019 levels, Italy’s GDP growth exceeded that of Spain, France, and Germany, despite a significant population decline of 786,000 inhabitants, which was not experienced by other countries. This underscores the resilience and vitality of the Italian economy.
Italy’s production accounts for 12.3% of the European Union’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to ISTAT data from 2023, Italy’s economic structure is similar to that of other major European countries, with production distributed as follows:
- 72.3% in the tertiary sector (services and commerce)
- 25.6% in the secondary sector (manufacturing and construction)
- 2.1% in the primary sector (agriculture, mining, forestry, and fishing)
Italy’s industrial landscape is largely composed of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), recognized for their strong innovation capabilities and high flexibility. The percentage of Italian SMEs that have introduced product, process, strategic, and organizational innovations exceeds the EU average, highlighting the country’s dynamic business environment.
In January 2024, the consumer price index recorded an increase of 0.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, a figure significantly lower than that of the United Kingdom (4.3%), United States and France (3.1%), Germany and Canada (2.9%). Employment levels reached historic highs by the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, with Italy having 23.73 million employed individuals, marking an increase of 661,000 jobs compared to 2019.
A strategic hub at the crossroads of international markets
Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Italy serves as a gateway not only to the European Single Market, with its 447 million potential consumers, but also to the rapidly growing Middle Eastern and North African regions, home to 270 million potential consumers.
Italy also plays a crucial role in transportation networks, connecting Southern Europe with Northern and Eastern European countries via roads, railways, maritime routes, and airways. The country boasts a well-developed and diverse transport infrastructure, including:
- 6,977 km of highways
- Over 1,000 km of high-speed rail lines
- 137 commercial ports
- Around 40 strategically located airports
Thanks to its geographic position, Italy is an ideal hub for international trade and logistics. Furthermore, it offers an efficient and fully digitalized customs clearance system, ensuring streamlined and modern trade processes.
A global leader in manufacturing and exports
Italy is Europe’s second-largest manufacturing economy, behind only Germany, with a production value exceeding €1 trillion. Investing in Italy provides access to world-class expertise in sectors such as machinery and automation, fashion, design, and food & wine. Foreign companies benefit from a vast network of industrial districts, spread across the country and well-integrated into international supply chains. The design, fashion, and luxury goods industry is recognized as an excellence on a global scale.
Italy boasts the most competitive export performance among G7 countries. According to preliminary WTO estimates, Italian exports hit a record $677 billion in 2023. Excluding the Netherlands (where export figures are inflated by Rotterdam’s transit trade), Italy ranks as the world’s fifth-largest exporter, trailing Japan by just $40 billion. From 2015 to 2023, Italian exports grew by 48%, nearly double the growth of France (28%) and Germany (27%), and triple that of Japan (15%).
In terms of manufacturing trade balance, Italy ranks fifth globally and second in Europe. Italian exports are particularly strong in high-knowledge sectors, including pharmaceuticals and aerospace.
Italy has a long-standing and solid export tradition, reinforced by the global prestige of the “Made in Italy” brand. According to the National Brand Ranking 2024, Italy ranks ninth worldwide, with a brand value of $2.326 billion (€2.18 billion).
A leader in research and innovation
Italy is steadily increasing its investments in research and development, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, clean energy, and digital technologies. The country is home to numerous cutting-edge research centers and 14 universities ranked among the world’s top 500 (QS World University Rankings 2024).
Italy also holds an impressive global standing in scientific output—ranking fifth worldwide for the impact factor of published research (average number of citations per publication) and twelfth for biomedical research investment.
Art, Tourism, and Quality of Life
Italy’s natural, cultural, and scenic heritage is truly priceless—a wealth of vast natural landscapes, exclusive archaeological sites, unique monuments, and countless artistic masterpieces, all waiting to be discovered and explored. Italian cities are renowned for their high quality of life, pleasant climate, and world-famous cuisine.
Italy holds the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 59 recognized as “World Heritage” and 16 included in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Additionally, Italy is one of the top tourist destinations globally. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in 2023, Italy ranked fourth worldwide in terms of international tourist arrivals.
Investment Opportunities
The portal Invest in Italy — the country’s first unified inter-institutional website dedicated to investment attraction—provides insights into key investment opportunities available in Italy. It offers detailed information on 13 strategic sectors, bureaucratic requirements, and national incentives to facilitate business growth.
A particularly useful section focuses on investment locations, developed through a nationwide survey in collaboration with Regions and Autonomous Provinces. It features over 250 publicly owned industrial sites, including greenfield, brownfield, and logistics areas, ready for investors.
Meanwhile, the portal Invest in Italy Real Estate specializes in public real estate investment opportunities, listing properties managed by public companies or public-private partnerships. This platform helps streamline interactions between professional investors and high-value real estate opportunities within Italy’s public asset portfolio, selected for their strategic location, type, and scale.
Tax Incentives and Simplified Entry Visas
To attract significant investments, non-EU citizens may benefit from tax advantages and fast-tracked visa procedures in certain cases.
High-income foreign nationals (non-EU) who relocate their tax residence to Italy can access a special tax regime, allowing them to opt for a flat tax on all foreign income instead of the standard tax regulations. This highly competitive incentive remains valid for 15 years. For more details, visit the official website of the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency).
According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2024, Italy ranks first in Europe and sixth worldwide in terms of international millionaire inflows, with an estimated 2,200 new high-net-worth individuals relocating to the country in the reference year.
For non-EU citizens planning to invest in Italy—including launching innovative startups, pursuing advanced education, research, or philanthropy—special entry visa facilitation measures are available. These include streamlined access to the relevant diplomatic-consular offices for visa application submission.
One key initiative is the Investor Visa for Italy, which grants long-term entry and residence to non-EU citizens making major investments or philanthropic donations in strategic assets that enhance Italy’s economic competitiveness.
Eligible Investment Options:
- Government bonds – Minimum investment of €2 million
- Italian capital companies – Minimum investment of €500,000
- Innovative startups – Minimum investment of €250,000 (must be listed in the official Business Register)
- Philanthropic donations – Minimum of €1 million to support public interest projects in culture, education, immigration management, scientific research, or restoration of cultural and landscape assets
The visa application process is fully digital, accelerated, and bilingual (Italian and English), with approvals typically issued within 30 days.
Recipients of the Investor Visa obtain a two-year residence permit, which can be renewed for additional three-year periods as long as the investment is maintained.
The Italy Startup Visa program is designed for non-EU entrepreneurs looking to establish an innovative startup in Italy. It offers significant advantages in taxation, corporate law, and access to credit, along with the possibility of obtaining a self-employment visa for up to five individuals through a fast-track, simplified process.
For further insights into Italy’s foreign investment attraction opportunities, we recommend visiting the following websites:
- ICE – Italian Trade & Investment Agency: This agency promotes foreign trade and the internationalization of Italian businesses. Through its dedicated Foreign Investment Attraction Area (AIE), it facilitates the establishment and development of foreign companies in Italy, promotes investment opportunities across all sectors, and supports investors throughout the entire investment cycle, including initial assistance, mentorship, guidance, and aftercare.
- Invitalia: The national agency that assists foreign companies looking to establish or expand their businesses in Italy, offering a comprehensive range of services for information and support at every stage of the investment process.
- Italia.it – Ministry of Tourism: The official government portal providing all the necessary information for planning a trip to Italy.
- Banca d’Italia: The official website of Italy’s central bank offers economic and financial insights.
- ISTAT: The Italian National Institute of Statistics offers a resource for statistical information, analysis, and forecasts related to Italy’s economic, demographic, and social sectors.
Available Attachments:
- Doing Business in Italy: Investment Guide (ENG).
- Unveiling Italy’s Economic Potential, ed. 2025 (ENG)
- OECD Economic Survey Italy, 2024 (ENG).
- Global Attractiveness Index, 2023 (ITA) (ENG).
- Italy: a land of opportunity, 2023 (ENG).
- Rapporto Annuale ISTAT, 2023 (ITA).
- Excellence. Italian Main Industrial Sectors, 2021 (ENG).
- Investor Visa for Italy – Manuale operativo, 2021 (ITA).
- Italia Start Up Visa – Linee Guida, 2018 (ITA).
- Guide on Preferential Tax Regime for New High-Income Residents, 2018 (ITA), (ENG).