Italy's beneficial ownership register is suspended pending an EU court ruling
Italy's Council of State suspended the operation of the beneficial ownership register (Registro dei titolari effettivi) by order of 17 May 2024 and, by order of 15 October 2024, referred questions on the register to the Court of Justice of the EU. Obligations to report beneficial owners to the business register were on hold while the case continued.
Italy's register of beneficial owners is kept by the business register (Registro delle imprese) of the chambers of commerce. Fiduciary companies and trust companies challenged the rules on access to it and on fiduciary mandates.
What happened
- On 17 May 2024 the Council of State (Consiglio di Stato) suspended the operation of the register by an interim order.
- On 15 October 2024 it referred questions to the Court of Justice of the EU on whether fiduciary mandates count as arrangements similar to trusts and on the access rules.
- While the case continued, the register was not operating.
Who is affected
Italian companies, legal persons, trusts and fiduciary arrangements that must report their beneficial owners.
Later developments
Italy changed the access rules from 9 January 2026, and the Court of Justice ruled on 21 May 2026. See our coverage.