From Italy to Saudi Arabia

How to Set Up a Business in Saudi Arabia from Italy

A Blueprint for Italian Companies

Launch and grow your Italy-based business in Saudi Arabia with full confidence.

Launch and grow your Italian business in Saudi Arabia with confidence. AstroLabs provides end-to-end support to ensure a seamless entry into the Kingdom, from securing licenses and registering your entity to meeting regulatory and operational requirements. Whether you're a large industrial firm, a professional consultancy, or a fast-scaling SME, we help you unlock long-term success in Saudi Arabia’s booming economy. Learn how to set up your business in KSA.

Company Formation from Italy to Saudi Arabia in Sector-Specific Markets

With bilateral trade volumes reaching $10.2 billion in 2023, Saudi Arabia and Italy are strengthening their economic ties like never before. Italian exports and investments are flowing into high-growth sectors including clean energy, construction, tourism, and digital infrastructure, with momentum increasing rapidly. In January 2025 alone, 26 new MoUs were signed to enhance cooperation, paving the way for more Italian businesses to take part in Saudi Arabia’s transformation under Vision 2030. With advanced regulatory reform and streamlined company formation processes, Saudi Arabia is now a priority destination for Italian companies seeking international scale.

1. Industrial Manufacturing & Infrastructure

Italian expertise in engineering, construction, and machinery is in high demand. Major national infrastructure projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Project offer high-value opportunities for firms that can deliver at scale.

2. Energy & Environmental Technology

With $180B allocated for clean energy investments by 2030, Saudi Arabia welcomes Italy’s capabilities in renewables, smart energy systems, and environmental services. ENI and other Italian leaders are already leveraging this momentum.

3. Luxury, Design & Lifestyle

Italian excellence in architecture, fashion, and lifestyle products is highly demanded in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom's expanding tourism and retail sectors present new avenues for Italian brands to scale regionally.

4. Life Sciences & Health Innovation

From legal and tax consultancies to engineering and architectural firms, Italy’s seasoned professionals can now establish 100% foreign-owned entities or joint ventures aligned with local needs.

Company Formation in Saudi Arabia from Italy: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare Company Documents

Start by gathering essential documents, including:

Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA and AoA)
Audited financial statements
Board resolution to expand into Saudi Arabia

These documents must be legalized and translated into Arabic.

Step 2: Obtain MISA License

Apply for an investment license from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). This step officially allows your foreign entity to operate in the Kingdom.

Step 3: Register with Government Entities

You'll need to complete registration with multiple Saudi governmental bodies:

Ministry of Commerce (MoC) - for commercial registration
Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority - for tax compliance
General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI)
Chamber of Commerce
Saudi Post - to obtain a national address

You’ll also need to choose a physical office space to meet the national address requirement.

Step 4: National Address Management:

Ensuring accurate updates and renewals on the SPL portal.

Step 5: Appoint a General Manager and Obtain an Iqama

Foreign companies in Saudi Arabia must register on core platforms to ensure legal compliance:

Muqeem: employee sponsorship management
Absher: government services portal
Qiwa: workforce management

Mudad: wage protection and payroll compliance

Step 6: Open a Corporate Bank Account

Once your business is legally registered and operational, open a Saudi corporate bank account to handle transactions, payroll, and vendor payments.

Step 7: Hire and Issue Visas

Hire local employees in line with Saudi Arabia’s Saudization (Nitaqat) quota system. For international hires, you’ll need to issue work visas under the company’s sponsorship.

Book a Free Consultation

Avoid Common Cases of Non-Compliance in Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs’ GRO Solutions

Missed Deadlines

Fines and delays from late renewals or submissions

Operational Interruptions

Incomplete or outdated official documents causing business interruptions

Amendment Needs

Challenges in updating business activities, management structures, or shareholder details

Portal Issues

Delayed updates to key government platforms like SPL or CoC

AstroLabs Advantage

AstroLabs Advantage
Offering	AstroLabs	Corporate Services Companies offering PRO & GRO	Law Firms	In-House
40+ on-ground local team of experts
Government portal management and compliance support
Full management of your company licenses and certificates
Management of registered employees across the employee journey, from hiring to ongoing management
Full suite of support: PRO, GRO, HRs support and access to a pool of Saudi talent
National Address Registration with varied coworking and private office locations
Seamlessly manage GRO services online using a digital platform
Corporate bank account opening
Access to a community of 700+ high-growth businesses in Saudi Arabia
Extended media and exposure support through press releases, social media coverage and articles
Opportunity-matchmaking with potential partners in governmental entities and corporates
Access to global and regional events such as BIBAN, LEAP, Seamless, etc

How to Set Up a Business in Saudi Arabia from Italy

Launch and grow your Italy-based business in Saudi Arabia with full confidence.

Company Formation from Italy to Saudi Arabia in Sector-Specific Markets