Guide to travel to Italy as a businessperson

setting up in business in Italy

If you want to expand your business to Europe, you will have to do market research to see what country is the right one for your business’ needs.

If you want to open an overseas business, and you want, it to have success during its first year of existence, then you should choose Italy. Numerous cities in Italy are home to businesses in domains as tech, textile and tourism. If you manage to collaborate with Italian businesspersons, you will have no issues in taking your business to the next level.

However, if you want to boost your business success in Italy, you will have to follow some guidelines. But before starting the expansion process you will have to ask yourself if you have the required resources for it. You will have to first check your capital, human resources and decide if this is the right moment for this move.

Start with the attire

If you are looking for Italian partners for your business, then you will have to pay attention to your outfits, because here, they make the first impression. You should put in your luggage a suit and a tie, because you will need them when you will attend the business meetings. In case you are a woman, then you will have to choose a dress shirt with a dress skirt, because they are the best clothing items a businesswoman can wear in Italy. You should not worry that your outfits will get wrinkles, because you will find a steamer at the hotel. Alternatively, you can ask the dry cleaning services to help you de-wrinkle your outfit.

Etiquette is crucial

If you want to impress your Italian partners then you should be prompt in your meetings. You should make plans in order to arrive at the meeting with at least 15 minutes early. Both at the start and end of the business meeting you should shake hands with your business partners, and do not be surprised if they hug you, because this is an Italian habit. In the majority of cases, your Italian partners will be the ones that will initiate the move if they consider you their friend.

Make sure you have checked the entry regulations

Italy is one of the countries that is part of the Schengen Agreement, so if you are a European citizen you will not need a passport. But if you are not, then you should book an Italy visa appointment from London. You will need a passport, for both the United Kingdom and Italy, but if you first arrive in London, you can make there the arrangements for your Italy visa.

Bring a gift

If you want to impress your future business partners then you should bring them a gift from your home country. However, you should not offer them a gift with your company’s logo on them, because they will consider it a sign of arrogance. Bring them something that has a meaning for you, and share with them the reason you have chosen this gift. Make sure not to use wrapping paper in yellow or black because they symbolize death in Italy.