Italy "one of the best places in the world" to be self-employed

Italy is a great place to be self-employed, it has been suggested.

An article on online resource Shelter Offshore explains there are many reasons for this.

For example, it notes the "vast majority" of firms in the country are small to medium-sized enterprises which are often run by families - with even larger brands such as Versace and Prada being run by a familial unit.

As such, emigres should take confidence that setting up their own business in Italy will neither be frowned upon nor unsupported, it suggests, explaining people should get the local court's approval and then register their business with bodies including the Registro delle Impresse and Uddicio Registri.

There are a number of financial requirements that should also be investigated - and firms may also take the opportunity at this early stage to establish any systems for international money transfers they need use in the future.

A recent poll carried out by financial services provider Alliance & Leicester International noted that expats include a higher standard of living and increase in income as their top reasons for rating their new country of residence over the UK.