Branch, i.e. “unità locale”

What is it?

"Branch" is the English translation of the Italian term "unità locale". This is an operational or administrative unit (such as a laboratory, workshop, factory, subsidiary, representative office etc.) located where an enterprise carries out a stable economic activity. For instance, the field where a power plant has installed solar panels for energy production is a branch. 
It differs from a secondary headquarters, because it cannot represent an enterprise before third parties. Also, the constant presence of legal representatives is not required in a branch. It has to be registered in the Economic and Administrative Index (REA) at the competent Chamber of commerce.
 

Things to do

To register your branch, you have to submit an online application within thirty days after the start of the activity. The online application has to be digitally signed by a legal representative of the enterprise.

Annexes required

• from EU enterprises: a certificate containing basic information about the enterprise, such as the legal representatives' names, must be issued by an Institution, of the same nationality as the enterprise, equivalent to the Italian Business register. Finally, it has to be accompanied by a certified translation into Italian;
• from non-EU enterprises: a certificate of the existence of the enterprise. It has to be issued by the Italian Embassy of the country where the company has its registered office, scanned, digitally signed and submitted by a legal representative.