Doing business in Italy may sometimes require gathering information about business partners or debtors to fully assess their financial situation—such as evaluating their asset solidity or initiating debt recovery proceedings. This need can also arise outside the business context, for example in family or inheritance matters. Tracing assets in Italy can be a complex task, but it is certainly feasible if one is familiar with the legal framework, the available public records, and the authorized investigative procedures. In this article, we will explore the systems and options available to individuals and entities operating in the market.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that some searches are possible because the information is available in public databases; in other cases, searches are only authorized if there is a legitimate purpose, such as judicial proceedings, inheritance or succession practices, corporate due diligence, or enforcement of foreign judgments.
As for public databases, the first and most important is the Business Register (“Registro delle Imprese”) managed by the Chamber of Commerce, where all companies operating in Italy are registered. Through this register, it is possible to obtain information on both limited liability companies and sole proprietorships. The register provides key corporate data such as company ownership, registered capital, names of shareholders and directors, registered office, and annual financial statements. Furthermore, it can also reveal whether an individual holds shares in companies or holds positions within corporate entities. This kind of search is particularly useful for uncovering corporate affiliations and determining whether an individual has business interests.
A second freely accessible public register is the Land Registry (“Catasto”), which is the official record of real estate properties. Searching this database provides information on real estate owned by an individual, such as apartments, houses, villas, agricultural land, or commercial properties. The Land Registry is managed by the Italian Revenue Agency (“Agenzia delle Entrate”), and to carry out a search, some basic information about the subject is required. Access to data may sometimes require a legitimate reason and identification of the requesting party.
The Public Vehicle Registry (“Pubblico Registro Automobilistico” or PRA) is the official entity that maintains legal information on vehicles registered in Italy. It is useful for tracing registered movable assets such as cars, motorcycles, scooters, and commercial vehicles. Through a PRA search, one can obtain information about the vehicles registered in the name of the person being investigated. Although it is a public register, much of the information may only be released upon providing a legitimate reason.
In many cases, asset tracing is driven by the need to recover a debt. When this is the case, and there is an enforceable title (such as a court ruling or decree), asset seizure procedures may be initiated. In such circumstances, professionals are authorized to conduct electronic searches through the Revenue Agency’s databases to uncover the debtor’s financial relationships (e.g., bank accounts), pension fund affiliations, income tax declarations, or identify assets and contracts such as lease agreements or business branch rentals.
Whatever the reason behind the investigation of an individual’s or entity’s assets, due to strict privacy regulations in Italy, it is strongly recommended to seek the assistance of a qualified professional—not only to ensure compliance with legal requirements but also to correctly interpret the search results.
Asset tracing in Italy requires a combined use of public records, legal tools, and, in some cases, professional investigations. From real estate ownership to bank accounts, several channels can be explored—each with its own procedures and legal constraints. Relying on qualified experts ensures safer, more reliable, and legally admissible outcomes.
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1. Background and premises Doing business in Italy may sometimes require gathering information about business partners or debtors to fully assess their financial situation—such as evaluating their asset solidity or initiating debt recovery proceedings. This need can also arise outside the business context, for example in family or inheritance matters. Tracing assets in Italy can
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