Obtaining Italian Residence Permit for Starting a Business

Today, we share a case that clearly demonstrates how residency in Italy can be achieved through business investments. Alexey and Marina, a married couple from St. Petersburg, reached out to us in early 2023. They had long dreamed of living in Italy, a country they had visited several times as tourists, and even considered expanding their fashion business there. This is the story of how their desire to relocate and passion for their work helped the family obtain Italian residency while opening a boutique in the heart of Milan.

Planning and Goals

Alexey and Marina, owners of a successful designer clothing brand, had long dreamed of bringing their label to the international market. Their strong interest in Italy, a global fashion hub, motivated them to take a big step: opening a showroom and establishing a full-fledged representation of their brand there. The couple understood that entering the European market would be a strategic move, allowing them to attract a new audience that highly values exclusivity and style. They planned to gradually relocate the entire family, including their teenage son, who could also benefit greatly from life in Europe.

The key requests Alexey and Marina presented were as follows:

• To obtain residency in Italy for the whole family to allow them to live and develop their business in the country freely, with the added benefit of unrestricted travel throughout Europe;

• To open a boutique and showroom to increase brand recognition in the Italian and European markets, fostering direct contact with customers and partners;

• To ensure their son could attend an Italian school, which would help him adapt quickly to the new cultural environment and improve his chances of getting into a European university, opening future career opportunities.

For Alexey and Marina, the move to Italy was a comprehensive solution for the whole family, combining career and educational opportunities with an enhanced quality of life.

Why Italy?

For Alexey and Marina, Italy was not merely an option but the ideal choice, supported by several factors. First, Italy is renowned for its influence in the fashion and textile industries. The country's strong fashion industry and couture traditions make it an ideal place for brand development. Alexey and Marina knew that the Italian market would provide a strong launch pad for reaching the broader European market, given its high standards centered around quality and aesthetics.

In addition to the professional aspects, the couple was drawn to Italian lifestyle itself—a country with rich cultural heritage, breathtaking architecture, natural beauty, and a unique atmosphere. They dreamed of their son growing up in a world filled with art, Italian language, and national traditions, where he could see a different side of the world and develop an appreciation for style, taste, and European culture. Italy also offers an excellent choice of schools and universities, where a solid academic background could expand their son's opportunities to enter prestigious European institutions.

A business established in Italy could open the door to international cooperation and strengthen their connections in the fashion, textile, and design industries.

The Process of Obtaining Residency through Business Establishment

Preparing a Business Plan

After analyzing their goals, we suggested the Italian residency program for financially independent individuals with business creation options (Permesso di Soggiorno per lavoro autonomo). The first step was to develop a detailed business plan, which included:

• A concept for the boutique aimed at Italian customers;
• A marketing strategy and competitor analysis;
• A budget estimate for rental and other business expenses in Milan;
• Job creation potential for local residents.

Our team handled the preparation and translation of the business plan into Italian and secured its approval with certified accountants in Italy.

Company Registration

We began by establishing their legal entity, registering Alexey and Marina’s company as an SRL (Società a Responsabilità Limitata), the Italian equivalent of an LLC. Our legal team prepared the necessary documents, including:

• Passports of the couple;
• Marriage certificate;
• Proof of financial resources for starting the business;
• Lease agreement for the showroom in Milan’s city center.

We also assisted in negotiating with the property owner to agree on terms and sign a long-term lease contract.

Submitting the Residency Application

After gathering all documents, we submitted their residency application to the Italian consulate in Russia. We simultaneously developed an employment plan for the boutique, which played a decisive role in the approval, as Italy encourages foreign investments that generate employment.

Obtaining a Business License

Once in Italy, our lawyers obtained the retail license and confirmed the boutique's registered address. Alexey and Marina held several meetings with local fabric distributors and suppliers to adapt production to the preferences of Italian clients.

The Process of Submitting and Receiving Residency

After the documents were submitted, Alexey and Marina were invited for an interview at the consulate three weeks later. During the interview, they presented the details of their business project, expansion plans, and employment intentions. Within two months, they received the long-awaited residency visas for the entire family.

Relocation and Boutique Opening

Moving to Italy

In early June 2023, Alexey and Marina, along with their son, arrived in Milan, where our lawyer greeted them. The family registered their residence and activated their visas, confirming their residency status.

Showroom Opening and Adaptation

By early July, the boutique was ready to open. The opening event was a success, attracting attention from local fashion bloggers and media. Alexey and Marina began developing a loyal customer base and planning for assortment expansion.

Their Son's Adaptation

Our legal team also assisted with school enrollment for their son, allowing him to quickly adapt to the new country and begin learning Italian. This move will also improve his chances of attending a university in the future.

Results and Feedback

In September 2023, Alexey and Marina received their resident cards and began full-fledged life in Italy. Their son quickly adjusted to school and made friends, while the boutique began generating its first revenue. Additionally, they established stable partnerships, strengthening their market position.

“We are grateful to the entire GARANT.in team for making this process so smooth and comfortable. Not only did we obtain residency, but we also launched a promising business in our beloved Italy. The agency’s staff was always there to advise us on everything, from company registration to our son's school enrollment.”

Conclusion

Alexey and Marina’s story demonstrates that residency in Italy through business establishment is both achievable and beneficial. With the support of GARANT.in, they obtained residency, successfully opened a showroom in Milan’s center, and started a new chapter in their lives. Now, they are enjoying life in Italy and building long-term business development plans.

If you also want to relocate to Italy, start a business, and obtain residency, our team will be glad to assist.