Do you want to open a travel agency in Italy? This can be an optimal business idea in this country, and we recommend that you collaborate with our lawyers in Italy from the start. Our legal specialists can guide you through all the procedures and provide you with comprehensive assistance so that your business can start as quickly as possible. You can read this article and find out more useful information about how to incorporate a travel business in Italy and what procedures must be followed.
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Steps in opening a travel agency in Italy
If you have decided to open a business in Italy and a travel company is what you want, it is good to know the formalities in this regard. In most cases, a limited liability company or SRL in Italy is recommended, one of the most popular business entities. Here are some of the formalities and conditions for registering a travel agency in Italy:
- Articles of Association with complete information about the shareholders and the company’s activities are mandatory;
- opening a bank account in Italy is required. EUR 10,000 is the minimum share capital for an SRL in Italy; however, a lower amount might be permitted under certain conditions;
- registration for tax purposes in Italy as a travel agency is also mandatory;
- depending on the type of activity of the tourism agency, a business license permit will be required.
You can choose the legal services of our attorneys in Italy for opening a travel agency. We assure clients that all formalities and procedures are met and that the entire registration process is free of complexities.
Licensing procedure for Italian travel agencies
As a general rule, all Italian company owners must apply for a travel agency license with the relevant authority within the provincial office. Among the information required, these are mandatory:
- the business name, legal address, and type of company,
- the identity of the directors,
- the plan of the location,
- cadastral and health certificate.
Other information may also be requested, depending on the region the travel agency will operate in. In Tuscany, for example, the registration of a travel agency is quite a straightforward and simple procedure, and the company may start operating after proving all the legal requirements have been met.
What kind of licenses and permits are required for a travel agency in Italy?
Here are some business licenses and permits required for opening a travel agency/tour operator in Italy:
- business permits from the local municipality, in accordance with the activities,
- travel license issued by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities in Italy,
- consumer protection compliance issued by the Competition Authority in Italy.
Do not hesitate to collaborate with our attorneys in Italy if you want to open a travel agency in this country. We are here to offer you specialized legal assistance and guide you in all legal proceedings.
Insurance requirements for Italian travel agencies
According to Legislative Decree No. 206 of 2005, all travel packages provided by Italian companies operating as travel agencies must fulfill certain financial requirements in order to carry out their activities. All travel agencies must have an insurance policy that covers all customers’ impairments in case of failure to fulfill their contractual duties. Tour operators in Italy are also required to pay 2% of their annual insurance premium to the National Guarantee Fund.
NACE codes for travel agencies in Italy
The following NACE codes may be used by Italian companies in their travel agency activities:
- Section I 63 for activities of travel agencies,
- 63.3 for activities of travel agencies and tour operators,
- 63.0 for activities of travel agencies, tour operators, and tourist assistance activities.
In addition to support for opening a travel agency in Italy, our specialists can also help you in other situations. For example, you can buy a house in Italy with legal support offered by our Italian lawyers. Regardless of the situation you want to resolve, we recommend that you get in touch with our law firm in Italy and learn more about the legal services offered.