Italy approves new business incentives via Special Economic Zone

The Italian government has moved forward with measures to boost business competitiveness through the Special Economic Zone (ZES) and new commissarial ordinances. Ordinance 44, which has received clearance from the Court of Auditors, establishes a program to support companies that previously received turnover reduction contributions. This measure aims to encourage modernization and technological innovation through direct investments.

Eligible businesses must have registered turnover for 2026, comply with social security, health, safety, and environmental regulations, and have previously benefited from turnover reduction aid. Qualifying expenses must be paid via traceable methods between January 1, 2026, and November 30, 2026, with applications due by December 15, 2026. Certain exclusions apply, including companies in liquidation, those involved in anti-mafia investigations, or those receiving aid deemed illegal by the European Commission.

Additionally, the 2027 budget proposal includes a significant strengthening of ZES resources. The government plans to allocate 2.4 billion euros for ZES tax credits in 2027 and 1.25 billion euros in 2028. These incentives, which include support for hiring, digital transformation, and agriculture, are tied to specific regional aid areas. In regions like Marche, including the provinces of Fermo and Ascoli Piceno, access to these credits depends on the specific location of the investment as defined by municipal lists.