Trust Laws in Italy

Italy is a unique jurisdiction when it comes to trusts. Indeed, despite the fact that a trust cannot be governed by Italian law since the Italian civil law system does not provide for the trust institution, trusts have been recognised in Italy since the Italian ratification of the Hague Convention on the Law Applicable to Trusts and on their Recognition in 1989 and have been extensively used in the Italian context. Specific tax rules on trusts have been in force for many years, and extensive case law and administrative guidelines have clarified the legal and tax treatment of trusts in Italy.

In recent years, Italy has become one of the most appealing jurisdictions in Europe for wealthy families to relocate to, due to the existence of a very appealing lump sum tax regime for new residents. This has further contributed to the use of trusts in Italy, considering that these families often benefit from trusts or establish trusts once residents of Italy.

As the only book in English dedicated entirely to trusts in Italy, this publication is an invaluable tool for international wealthy families and their advisers on the legal and tax treatment of trusts in Italy. Italian lawyers, accountants and notaries will also find this essential reading given the significant use of trusts for Italian families and the professionals advising them.

Edited by the head of Charles Russell Speechlys' Italian practice, Nicola Saccardo, Trust Laws in Italy brings together insights and guidance from Nicola and fellow experts from Charles Russell Speechlys and other Italian professionals on topics such as the following:

the recognition of foreign law trusts in Italy pursuant to the Hague convention;
sham trusts;
testamentary trusts;
trusts and forced heirship;
trusts and succession agreements;
trusts and family law;
taxation of trusts; and
trust accounting.
The in-depth coverage and on-the-ground expertise makes Trust Laws in Italy a must-have book for global wealthy families as well as Italian and foreign practitioners, such as lawyers; accountants; notaries; bankers; trustees; wealth managers; single and multi-family offices; and legal associations.

Trust Laws in Italy is the latest publication within a series of books on trust laws in different key jurisdcitions.