How Italy’s favourable new tax regimes can benefit the sports industry

In recent years, Italy has created a number of favourable taxation regimes to try to become one of the EU’s leading countries for foreign investment. Pursuant to a series of new amendments, the country’s package of special taxation schemes has now been widened in an attempt to attract:

1. inbound workers, and

2. new residents (principally high net-worth individuals (HNWIs)),

who are willing to relocate to Italy to either work or enjoy the quality of life.

There have been favorable changes to income and wealth taxes, as well as to gift and inheritance taxes. The sole requirements to access the regimes are:

1. to become Italian tax resident, and

2. not having been tax resident (in Italy) for a certain period of time prior to relocation.

The sports industry is well positioned to take advantage of the new regimes if participants are able to leverage their geographic flexibility. It could offer particular benefits to athletes, coaches, technical and sport managers, trainers, and others in the sector.

This article explains the new regimes for workers and HNWIs and offers insights on how they could potentially benefit the sports industry.

Please note, as of 2022 there have been a number of changes relating to the access to the regimes.  To learn more about these changes, please see this related article: How Italy Has Reshaped Tax Incentives To Attract Professional Athletes.