Italy has long been known for its complex bureaucracy, however steps are being taken currently to improve the situation. With Law n. 35 of April 4, 2012, new measures have been put in place to simplify numerous administrative processes in hopes of reducing costs and improving government services for business and individuals. Law n. 35/2012 converted into law, Legislative Decree n. 5 of February 9, 2012 ("Urgent Provisions Concerning Simplification and Development”).

In an effort to ensure transparency and to promote competition in the banking sector, the Association of Italian Banks - along with Poste Italiane S.p.A, the major Italian business associations and others involved in the handling of electronic payments - must define new general rules to ensure a reduction of the inter–bank fees paid by merchants for debit card transactions. The new rules must be defined by June 1, 2012 and put into in place within the following three months (i.e. September 1, 2012) (Decree n. 1/2012, Art. 27). By limiting the fees borne by merchants, the Decree also aims to reduce Italy’s high level of fiscal evasion, encouraging the use of electronic transactions, discouraging the use of cash and making money easier to trace.

Article 12 of Decree n. 1/2012 not only increases the number of notaries in Italy, but also may impact the way existing notaries do business.

One of the primary aims of the reforms provided under Decree n. 1/2012 is to make it easier to do business in Italy.

As part of the current push to improve Italy’s grave economic situation, the technocratic government headed by Italian Prime Minister and former EU Commissioner, Mario Monti, is proposing sweeping changes to the Italian market.