Market guide · Europe
Selling in Italy
Prepaid and debit cards are common in Italy, and PayPal is a trusted choice for buying from unfamiliar sellers. Shoppers value clear delivery times and cash-free returns.
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Languages | Italian |
| Region | Europe |
| Local acquiring | Available |
| Settlement | T+1 |
| Payout rail | SEPA Instant · Seconds, 24/7 |
| Import consumption tax | VAT (IVA) · 22% |
Popular payment methods
Share of online payments by method. Illustrative figures.
| Visa, Mastercard, Amex | 48% (48% of online payments) |
|---|---|
| PayPal | 26% (26% of online payments) |
| Apple Pay | 6% (6% of online payments) |
| Klarna | 4% (4% of online payments) |
How to launch in Italy
- 1Open a sandbox accountTest every flow for Italy with test cards and methods before you sign anything.
- 2Turn on local methodsStart with PayPal, Apple Pay, Klarna.
- 3Process domesticallyDomestic processing in Italy avoids cross-border fees and lifts approval rates.
- 4Settle in EURHold EUR and convert when you choose, or pay out locally.
- 5Show duty-inclusive pricesQuote VAT (IVA) and duties at checkout so nothing is due on delivery.
- 6Go liveVerify your business, switch your keys and watch the first orders arrive.
Duties and import tax
VAT (IVA) at 22% applies to most imported goods.
Thresholds: VAT due from the first euro; IOSS for goods up to EUR 150
Regulatory notes
- Strong customer authentication under the EU's revised Payment Services Directive applies to card payments.
- Electronic invoicing is mandatory for many domestic business transactions, which affects business-to-business sales.
Placeholder notes for the prototype, not legal advice.
Customer story nearby
Northwind Outfitters
Retail & Ecommerce
+3.4 pts
card acceptance in Germany · Illustrative
We stopped guessing which fees would land on an order. Duty-inclusive prices took returns down with them.
Mara Lindqvist, Head of Ecommerce Read the story: Northwind Outfitters