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.
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
| 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 | | | | |