Marco Mazzeschi

For short term assignments (max. 90 days) the Schengen Visa Code and most national EU national legislations do not clearly define which activities can be considered “business” (thus not requiring a work visa) and which would be considered “work”. A useful guidance, that has some international recognition, can be found in the Commentary to art. 15 of the 2014 OECD Tax Model Convention, which set forth the rules for the international taxation of income from employment.

Rights of residence derived from a durable relationship with an EU citizen, are left to a relatively wide discretion of the Member States. Pursuant to Article 2.2 (b) Directive 2004/38/EC (“Directive”), “the partner with whom the Union citizen has contracted a registered partnership, on the basis of the legislation of a Member State, if the legislation of the host Member State treats registered partnerships as equivalent to marriage and in accordance with the conditions laid down in the relevant legislation of the host Member State” qualifies as family member. Provided that they have a durable relationship (duly attested) with an EU citizen, pursuant to Article 3.2(b), unregistered partners are as well beneficiaries of the Directive. The durable relationship was expressly excluded from the scope of Article 2(2)(b): “Unlike the amended proposal, it does not cover de facto durable relationships” (EU Commission, Document 52003SC1293). Article 3 (2)(a...

Legal outsourcing, which is a practice increasingly used by law firms in the United Kingdom and the United States to transfer work to foreign companies or firms in countries such as India or the Philippines, is still not very common among Italian companies and law firms. This is primarily due to the restrictions and limitations set forth by the law for the practice of the legal profession, which is strictly regulated. Another contributing factor is that Italian is the official language spoken and used in Italy, and it is therefore unlikely that any legal services could be effectively performed by workers whose native language is not Italian. The outsourcing of legal services is not specifically regulated by Italian law; instead, reference must be made to the general principles set forth in the Civil Code for the execution of service contracts, autonomous work, and intellectual professionals. It also is necessary to take into account the rules set forth by the National Bar Association in the Deontological Code, which applies to lawyers and law firms.

The Van der Elst procedure derives from a 1994 ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) regarding the right of an EU company to provide services within the EU. The ECJ stated that in accordance with the principles of freedom to provide services and the principle of non-discrimination a non-EU national who is employed by a company in one EU country must be allowed to provide services to a company in another EU country for a limited period without the need for a work permit. The principle established by the ECJ has been incorporated and implemented in different ways by member states. The article is a summary of the current status of implementation in a selection of member states.

Several States are offering citizenship to individuals willing to invest, in various forms, in the country economy. In many cases applicants are not required to establish any real bonds with the country, such as maintaining a permanent residency. The International Court of Justice in 1955 in the Nottebohm Case ruled that there must be a “genuine link” between the individual with the State. Preference must be given to the real and effective nationality that is the one based on stronger factual ties between the person concerned and one of the States whose nationality is involved.

An Italian woman, originally from Morocco, is being prosecuted by the Police near Turin for having married three times in 7 years with the sole purpose of favoring the husbands’s illegal acquisition of the rigth to residency and to Italian citizenship.
How to obtain Italian citizenship by marriage.
Marriages of convenience vs bogus marriages.
When a marriage can be cosidered “of convenience”?
And when a marriage is “genuine”?
Marriage of convenience: which are the legal consequences?

Individuals who are applying for Italian citizenship by descent are required to produce many documents, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates. In fact, they need to prove that the ancestor who expatriated and his/her direct descendants maintained their right to Italian citizenship (aka never renounced Italian citizenship) and — in the event that their Italian parent was a naturalized citizen — were born before that parent renounced Italian citizenship via naturalization.
These vital records have often names or dates discrepancies, not only because many immigrants changed their names but also because their name was mistakenly recorded.

A NON-CITIZEN or PRECARIOUS RESIDENT is a person who has not been recognized as having effective links to the country where he or she is located, differently from CITIZENS, who are individuals that have been recognized by a State which has given them a full legal status.
“THE RIGHTS OF NON-CITIZENS”, is a study prepared by the UN High Commissioner for Human Right. It is a relevant resource that highlights all the diverse sources of international law and emerging international standards protecting the rights of non-citizens.

Según la ley italiana, el hijo del padre o la madre de un ciudadano italiano es ciudadano italiano (art. 1 de la Ley del 5 de febrero de 1991, núm. 91). De ésto se deriba la posibilidad concreta de que los descendientes de emigrantes italianos de segunda, tercera y cuarta generación, etc, sean declarados ciudadanos italianos por descendencia. La ciudadanía se trasmite de padre a hijo, sin límites del número de generación, con la condición de que ni el solicitante ni los ascendentes hayan renunciado (en ningún momento) la ciudadanía italiana. La transmisión de la ciudadanía por línea materna sólo es posible para los menores nacidos después del 1 de enero del 1948. Descendencia de una madre italiana antes del 1 de enero de 1948: este caso no está regulado por la ley. El coslicitante que pertenece a esta categoría tendrá que recurrir a un tribunal civil italiano para obtener el reconocimiento de la ciudadanía italiana

This paper consists on a comprehensive explanation of the Italian Benefit Corporation. Over the last years, there has been an extensive debate either at national or international levels on ways to affirm new types of business concepts that integrate social progress into the economic development process. Italy introduced the Benefit Corporation in its legal order in 2015, becoming the first European country that introduced this type of corporation. The main objective of this research is to scrutinize the Italian Benefit Corporation from a legal point of view, beginning from its constitution to its withdrawal. Finally, it has been also developed a comparative study of the Italian Innovative Start-up and the Benefit Corporation, explaining also the possibility of the Benefit Corporation to become an Innovative Start-up and what advantages this change may bring to the company.

Rights of residence derived from a durable relationship with an EU citizen, are left to a relatively wide discretion of the Member States. Pursuant to Article 2.2 (b) Directive 2004/38/EC (“Directive”), “the partner with whom the Union citizen has contracted a registered partnership, on the basis of the legislation of a Member State, if the legislation of the host Member State treats registered partnerships as equivalent to marriage and in accordance with the conditions laid down in the relevant legislation of the host Member State” qualifies as family member. Provided that they have a durable relationship (duly attested) with an EU citizen, pursuant to Article 3.2(b), unregistered partners are as well beneficiaries of the Directive. The durable relationship was expressly excluded from the scope of Article 2(2)(b): “Unlike the amended proposal, it does not cover de facto durable relationships” (EU Commission, Document 52003SC1293). Article 3 (2)(a) covers “other family members” (no restrictions as to the degree of relatedness) if material support is provided by the EU citizen or by his partner or where serious health grounds strictly require the personal care of the family member by the Union citizen. Pursuant to Article 3.2, “other family members” and unregistered partners can attest a durable relationship, must be facilitated entry and residence, in accordance to the host Member State’s national legislation. In the light of Preamble 6 Directive, the situation of the persons who are not included in the definition of family members, must be considered “in order to maintain the unity of the family in a broader sense”. The questions discussed in this paper are the following: (i) are Member States genuinely considering the concept of durable relationship in view of maintaining the unity of the family in a broader sense? and (ii) how to overcome legal uncertainty and which criteria, both at EU and at international level, can be taken into account in order to assess whether a durable relationship is genuine and should be granted the rights set forth by the Directive?

Country contributions were provided by: Elmar Drabek (Austria), Bernard Caris (Belgium), Tommy Angermair (Denmark), Karl Waheed (France), Gunther Mavers (Germany), Kalypso Kontogianni (Greece), Inge Eggen-te Pas (the Netherlands), David Kiss (Hungary), Antoine Saliba Haig (Malta), Anca Vatasoiu (Romania), Ana Garicano (Spain), Jonas Lindblad (Sweden), Karolina Schiffter (Poland), Ana Pedro de Castro (Portugal), Nina Perch Nielsen (Switzerland), Veronika Pleskova (Czech Republic)

This article undertakes a comparative analysis of doing business in the European Union's Schengen Bloc vis-à-vis working in the Schengen Bloc. Through a critical review of what may constitute business activities vs. work in all 17 Schengen member states, the article establishes how international companies can minimize unintentional exposure to immigration noncompliance as well as possible tax liabilities. As the article observes, there is a general absence of a standard EU legal definition of 'work' vs. 'business activities' that international companies can apply when sending employees for business purposes to the Schengen Bloc. In the absence of specific criteria, the article outlines what characterizes business activities in 17 Schengen countries and then several international standards, which concerned parties can use a reference point. By examining various sources including EU, OECD and ILO frameworks, the article's research indicates general terms of reference in distinguishing business activities from work, and how that distinction confers the need for a business visa or a work permit in the European Union's Schengen Bloc. Keywords: business trips eu, work permits eu, doing business in the schengen bloc, business travel schengen bloc

The article is aimed to provide a summary of current EU provisions regulating the mobility for third-country nationals (" TCNs ") performing working activities within the Schengen Area. Most immigration provisions implemented by the EU are Directives. While EU Regulations automatically apply across the EU and do not need any act of implementation by Member States, Directives are a legislative act that sets out a goal and objectives that all EU countries must achieve. Each individual Member State will then decide on how to devise its own laws on how to reach these goals. Therefore, each Member State will need to adopt local legislation to implement the provisions set forth in the Directive. For business or tourism stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period, TCNs who hold a valid residence permit or visa have the right to move freely within the Schengen area. Working activities are on the other hand regulated by specific provisions of each Schengen country and therefore it will be necessary to check local regulations if TCN wants to work in a different country also for short periods (i.e. less than 90 days). The right to extend the stay for more than 3 months, work and eventually obtain permanent residency in another country is subject to specific conditions and provisions set forth in national legislations. The most important EU Directives that contain mobility provisions for TCNs and their families are:

A worldwide shortage of about 38-40 million highly skilled workers is forecast by 2020. What is the European Union doing to face this challenge? In 2009 the EU adopted the so called Blue Card Directive (n. 2009/50) to attract highly qualified workers from abroad. The Directive was implemented by most EU countries during 2012 but has proven to be insufficiently attractive and underused. For these reasons, the EU Commission has announced some proposed changes to the Blue Card Directive. The article also outlines a summary of the current state of implementation of the Directive in some of the most important EU countries.

1) Introduction 2) The business environment 3) Establishing a presence in Italy 4) The legal nature of a subsidiary 5) Financing a company 6) Opening a bank account 7) Utilising office space 8) Immigration controls 9) Key employment laws 10) Contracting with third parties (business contracts) 11) Taxation Overview 12) Regulatory Compliance 13) Protecting key assets and employees 14) Useful Links

Italy, differently from other EU countries, does not have a specific “residency by investment program”. The only visa available for an individual who is seeking permanent residency in the country without need to work  is the “elective residence visa”

Marco Mazzeschi gives a picture of the implementation of the Van der Elst ruling in various EU countires. The ruling established the right and conditions under which a EU company can provide services in other EU States using its own personnel

The European Commission issued on July 9, 2014 an amended version of the HANDBOOK FOR THE PROCESSING OF VISA APPLICATIONS AND THE MODIFICATION OF ISSUED VISAS . The guidelines provide an interpretation to the rules of the SCHENGEN VISA CODE  that set forth a the procedures and conditions for issuing visas for transit through or intended stays in the territory of the Schengen Member States  not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.

The outsourcing of legal services is not specifically regulated by
Italian law; instead, reference must be made to the general principles set forth in the Civil Code for the execution of service contracts, autonomous work, and intellectual professionals. It also is necessary to take into account the rules set forth by the National Bar Association in the Deontological Code, which applies to lawyers and law firms.

The article outlines that several States are offering citizenship to individuals willing to invest, in various forms, in the country economy. The focus of most programs is however on the amount of the investment, creation of jobs, etc. but in many cases applicants are not required to establish any real bonds with the country, such as maintaining a permanent residency or other forms of stable allegiance. It is a well established principle in international law that each State shall determine under its own law who are its nationals. However, the conferring state may not require other states to automatically accept its designation unless it has acted in conformity with international law and practice. The most famous precedent in this field was set by the International Court of Justice in 1955 in the Nottebohm Case[i]. The Court ruled that in order for the State to grant diplomatic protection there must be a “genuine link” between the individual with the State. Preference must be given to the real and effective nationality that is the one based on stronger factual ties between the person concerned and one of the States whose nationality is involved. Different factors are taken into consideration: the habitual residence of the individual concerned is an important factor, but there are other factors such as the centre of his interests, his family ties, his participation in public life, attachment shown by him for a given country and inculcated in his children. After assessing that Mr. Nottebohn had not established a “genuine link” with the Liechtenstein, the Court rejected Liechtenstein’s claim to grant diplomatic protection to Mr. Nottebohm. You can read the full article in

http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/immigration/document/412012/5D47-T061-DYW7-W3J0-00000-00/Citizenship-by-investment%E2%80%94is-it-really-a-good-deal?

Desde 2016, Italia ha permitido las uniones civiles "Formazioni Sociali Specifiche" entre parejas del mismo sexo. Los cónyuges de un extranjero del mismo sexo tienen derechos de residencia en Italia
El cónyuge extranjero de un ciudadano extranjero que normalmente reside en Italia tiene derecho a obtener un permiso de residencia por motivos familiares siempre que la relación esté bien establecida y registrada.

Con pocas excepciones, Italia permite a los extranjeros registrar una nueva empresa ordinaria propiedad exclusiva de personas físicas o jurídicas. En términos generales, si la empresa está adecuadamente financiada, puede solicitar inmediatamente el empleo de trabajadores no pertenecientes a la UE a través del procedimiento de la tarjeta azul de la UE – EU Blue Card (reservado a trabajadores altamente calificados).

En general, cualquier ciudadano extranjero o ciudadano de la UE que resida legalmente en Italia tiene derecho a que se unan los miembros de su familia. Miembros de la familia de un nacional no perteneciente a la Unión Europea que reside en Italia Los extranjeros que residan legalmente en Italia o posean una visa de al menos 1 año tienen derecho a que se unan los miembros de la familia. Requisitos principales: 1. Disponibilidad de vivienda adecuada y prueba de que se cumple el requisito financiero / de mantenimiento 2. Proporcionar prueba documentada de la relación familiar Los miembros de la familia que califican para un permiso familiar (permesso di soggiorno per motivi familiari) son: 1. cónyuge, casado regularmente y mayor de edad (al menos 18 años); 2. hijos menores de 18 años (también hijos del cónyuge, siempre que se otorgue el consentimiento del otro padre);

Desde 2016, Italia ha permitido las uniones civiles “Formazioni Sociali Specifiche” entre parejas del mismo sexo. Los derechos y obligaciones para tales uniones son muy similares a los del matrimonio, con la excepción de la adopción, el cual está prohibido en estos casos.

イタリアにスタートアップを設立する際に公証人を通さずに設立手続きを行う事が可能であることが平成29年10月2日にラツィオの行政裁判所によって確定されました。

公証人協会は、イタリアのスタートアップ法によって定められているデジタル・ファストトラックの手続きについて控訴したにも関わらず全ての訴えが棄却され、スタートアップ企業の設立がデジタル的に可能になり、公証人を通す手続きが必要とされなくなりました。

こちらの手続きの簡略化で約２０００ユーロのコストが軽減されます。

その他の詳細・企業の改正もこちらのプラットフォームを通し提出できます。(スタートアップの設立はオンラインのスタートアップ・プラットフォームで登録が可能)

スタートアップのトレンド、及びガイドラインの詳細についてはイタリアのスタートアップ法と年次報告書をご覧ください。

The new “Investor visa for Italy” is now available for foreigners intending to invest in Italy.

Since January 2017, Italian immigration law makes visas available to immigrant investors seeking to enter Italy to engage in capital investments that benefit the Italian economy. Particular attention is given to funding leading to job creation and to investments connected with start-up companies, advanced training, scientific research and patronage activities. In addition, tax and financial reliefs for foreigners transferring their tax residency in Italy are provided.

Article 1 of EU Regulation 883/2004 make a distinction between “residence” (the place where a person habitually resides) and “stay” (temporary residence). The Court of Justice held that the Member State of “residence” within that meaning is “the State in which the persons concerned habitually reside and where the habitual centre of their interests is to be found

Можно ли путешествовать если срок действия вашего вида на жительство истёк, а новый документ ещё не готов? Ваш ВНЖ (работа или семейные мотивы) истёк, вы подали заявку на продление через почтовое отделение, но документ ещё не готов? Согласно Указу министерства иностранных дел от 5 августа 2006, вы можете спокойно лететь домой (в страну вашего гражданства). Указ прямо предусматривает только страну гражданства, однако в реальности, при наличии соответствующей въездной визы, вы можете путешествовать и в другие страны, не входящие в Шенгенское соглашение. Во время ожидания нового ВНЖ вы не можете путешествовать по странам Шенгена за пределами Италии и соответственно ваш рейс должен быть либо прямым из Италии, либо с пересадкой за пределами Шенгена.

For short term assignments (max. 90 days) the Schengen Visa Code and most national EU national legislations do not clearly define which activities can be considered “business” (thus not requiring a work visa) and which would be considered “work”. A useful guidance, that has some international recognition, can be found in the Commentary to art. 15 of the 2014 OECD Tax Model Convention, which set forth the rules for the international taxation of income from employment.

Genel bir kural olarak İtalyan Hukuku buna izin vermektedir. Bununla birlikte ‘’hassas ülkeler’’ ‘den gelenler için ya da İtalyan vatandaşlarına karşılıklı olarak haklar tanımamış olan ülkelerden gelenler için  birden fazla istisna kabul edilmiş durumdadır , bunlar dosyadan dosyaya farklılık gösterir ve ayrı ayrı incelenmesi gerekir

Como adquirir a cidadania italiana se você ou os seus antepassados são filhos de mãe italiana antes de 1948 De um modo geral, a legislação relativa à cidadania italiana assenta no princípio de jure sanguinis (direito de sangue), ou seja, a criança nascida de pais italianos é também cidadã italiana. Consequentemente, indivíduos com antepassados italianos podem conseguir adquirir a cidadania dependendo de uma série de fatores, como a data e o local de nascimento dos pais, avós e até dos bisavôs. Mas se você ou os seus antepassados são filhos de mãe de origem italiana antes de 1 de janeiro de 1948 o processo pode não ser tão simples. Surpreendentemente, que a atual lei da cidadania italiana não prevê a possibilidade de as crianças filhas de mãe italiana antes de 1 de janeiro de 1948 verem reconhecida a sua cidadania italiana. Para além disso, existem algumas restrições para as crianças nascidas após 1 de janeiro de 1948 mas cujas mães foram casadas com estrangeiros antes dessa data (naquela época, as mulheres perdiam a cidadania italiana quando se casavam com um estrangeiro). A razão para este facto reside nas circunstâncias históricas: em Itália, os princípios da igualdade de género só foram estabelecidos em 1 de janeiro de 1948, quando entrou em vigor a Constituição italiana. Antes dessa data, às mulheres italianas não lhes era permitido passarem a cidadania aos seus filhos. Só os filhos de pais italianos tinham o direito a serem reconhecidos como cidadãos italianos. E se a sua mãe fosse de origem italiana, mas você tivesse nascido antes da data fatídica de 01/01/1948, ou se ela tivesse "perdido" a cidadania pelo casamento, antes de você nascer? Existe alguma coisa que possa ser feita? Não se preocupe! Graças a várias decisões dos tribunais, bem como à última orientação do Supremo Tribunal Italiano, atualmente existem boas probabilidades para o reconhecimento judicial da cidadania italiana transmitida pela mãe como descrito acima. Muitos dos nossos clientes foram bem-sucedidos com o pedido e conseguiram uma decisão favorável por parte do Tribunal, ao realizarem o sonho de se tornarem cidadãos italianos

A summary in form of a ppt presentation, outlining the conditions, steps and requirements for obtaining the elective residence visa (visto per residenza elettiva). This visa allows entry into Italy for an open long-term visit to foreigners who are able to financially supporting themselves without the need to work and intend to live in the country

People whose ancestors were born in Italy may be able to acquire citizenship, depending on a number of factors such as the
date and place of birth of their parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. Faster procedures are available for people who decide to apply for the Italian citizenship directly in Italy instead of at the Italian Consulate in their country of residence.

In recent years, given the rise of the globalized digital economy and
the increasing profile of multinational companies, the practice of legal
outsourcing has become more common. Outsourcing of legal services often involves a parent or multi-national company retaining the legal services of attorneys registered with bar associations different to the home country of the parent company or client. As there are few internationally registered attorneys who are fluent in Italian, this practice is less common in the Italian legal system. At the same time, Italian multinational companies and/or international law firms—may on occasion find it necessary to outsource some or all of legal services. Additionally, Italian law firms or attorneys may collaborate with legal professionals in other countries on multinational client cases. This paper will outline the legal decrees and ethical codes regulating the practice of legal outsourcing in Italy and in so doing establishes how companies can do so in accordance with international and domestic laws while ultimately serving client needs.

This Q&A gives an overview of the key factors affecting business immigration, including information on the jurisdiction's sources of immigration law; relevant government entities; requirements for unsponsored and sponsored immigration; requirements for sponsors; civil and criminal penalties for sponsors; common issues and concerns; dependants; settlement and citizenship; recent trends and proposals for reform.

1. Some good reasons to invest in Tuscany
2. The Investors’ Visa
3. Other options? Create your own “start-up” company
4. Invest in an existing Start-up
5. Start your own business
6. Investing in real estate
7. How can you obtain permanent residency
8. How can you acquire Italian citizenship?
9. Favourable flat-tax regime for new residents