It is very important to register your trademark (word/figurative/3D/colour/sound marks) because it identifies you, your company, your products/services, and it tells customers who you are and what you do/offer. It allows you to be officially recognized in the territory of your interest and, at the same time, protected from others who might think of copying your distinctive mark. It also gives value to your brand. If you would like to register your mark at a European level (EUIPO), which means
Read more →Under Italian law all those who are interested – therefore including foreigners (individuals and legal entities) residing or even not residing in Italy – have the right to open a bank account with an Italian bank. Foreigners residing in Italy can open a bank account just like Italian citizens residing in the territory. Foreigners not residing in the country can only open a “non-resident account” (“conto non residenti” or “conto estero”). Foreigners can open a bank account in Italy by
Read more →The deed of purchase relative to a property in Italy is kept by the Notary Public before whom the parties have signed it. This act is public and, therefore, accessible to everyone by law. The copy of the deed may be useful to verify the ownership of a property, possible irregularities, planimetric variations, the price at which it was purchased, if special conditions were inserted in the contract, specific matters relating to the condominium, etc. In addition to the above,
Read more →When the UK will indeed exit the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”), there may well be some changes for both UK (non-EU) citizens living, studying, working, and conducting business in Italy and vice-versa for Italian citizens in the UK (e.g. visa, permit of stay, etc.). Vademecum Italia is closely following the on-going developments regarding Brexit. BREXIT On June 23, 2016, the EU referendum took place and the people of the United Kingdom voted to LEAVE the European Union. According to art. 50 of the Consolidated version
Read more →Marriages between Italians and foreigners contracted abroad have immediate validity and relevance in the Italian juridical system. According to national laws, they must be transcribed in the Registers of Civil Status of the Italian Municipality of interest (Office of transcription of weddings celebrated abroad). At least one of the spouses must be an Italian citizen and reside in the Municipality where the transcription must be registered. Transcription of the act of marriage has certification and publicity purposes. Same-sex marriages or civil unions celebrated abroad,
Read more →Foreigners who for any reason should be part of a trial before an Italian civil or criminal court have the right to fully understand every single act, document or what is happening at a hearing, and thus they have the right to an interpreter. In case of a civil trial, when people are unfamiliar with the Italian language, the court may appoint an interpreter, who, before exercising his duties, must take an oath in front of the court to fulfill faithfully
Read more →In order to buy a house in Italy there are some important steps to follow. Although there is no need to turn to a real estate agent, it is advisable for the parties to sign a preliminary contract with which they mutually agree to sell and purchase a property by signing a deed on a specific date. With the preliminary contract there is no transferring of ownership but only a promise to sell and to purchase in the future. After the preliminary phase, the parties must
Read more →Those who are under eighteen years of age cannot buy cigarettes but they cannot be sanctioned for smoking at home or outdoors. These rules apply also to foreigners visiting the Italian peninsula for any reason. However, violations are rarely sanctioned by the authorities. During night hours and holidays it is possible to buy cigarettes at the vending machines of the tobacco shops. Foreigners should be aware that the buyer must possess an Italian identity document (identity card/tax code/health card) which
Read more →TS, TEAM and TS/CNS cards, issued by the Inland Revenue Agency to whomever has a right to health care by the National Health Service (“Servizio Sanitario Nazionale – SSN”), allow holders to receive health care (medical attention from a doctor, buy drugs at the pharmacy, book a specialized examination at a laboratory or hospital, etc.) when in Italy or abroad. 1) The Italian Health Card – Tessera Sanitaria (TS) The Italian Health Card (TS) is a very useful card issued by the
Read more →The Italian tax code (“codice fiscale”) is the document of identification of individuals (newborns, foreigners, residents abroad) and entities other than individuals in all their relationships with the Italian public authorities and administrations. This document is required in order to obtain the Italian Health Card (Tessera Sanitaria), the “Residence permit” (Permesso di soggiorno), and also to undersign any kind of contract (loan, sale and purchase, bank account, rent, employment, household utilities, etc.,) or to start a business activity, to deduct medical expenses, to buy a mobile phone, or for
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