“Alexis, I want to settle in Tuscany for my retirement, but I hold assets in France and Luxembourg. How do I navigate between Italian and French taxation without sacrificing my performance? Has Italy really become Europe's new tax haven?”
As 2026 begins, Italy has established itself as one of the most attractive jurisdictions for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and expatriates, thanks to unprecedented preferential regimes. That said, the complexity of the administrative system and the specificity of local financial instruments call for high-calibre wealth-engineering expertise.
At Balmont Conseil, we act as the architect of your wealth strategy between France and Italy. As the first AI-Augmented Wealth Engineer, my mission is to combine sharp human expertise with cutting-edge artificial intelligence to secure your wealth transitions and optimise your bespoke asset management across the peninsula.
The wealth-management landscape in Italy
The private banking market in Italy is one of the most mature in Europe, marked by a high concentration of long-established private banks and specialist asset-management boutiques.
Tax specifics and international appeal
Italy has radically transformed its regulatory framework to attract foreign capital, creating genuine momentum in the Italian market.
The New Residents regime (Flat Tax)
This is the major lever for HNWIs. Italy offers a flat annual tax (often set at €100,000 or more under the recent 2026 reforms) on all income generated outside Italy. The scheme drastically simplifies tax planning and wealth transfer on a global scale.
Cross-border wealth engineering
Our work often focuses on how Italian civil law interacts with international tax treaties. The aim is to avoid double taxation on dividends, capital gains and property income while ensuring robust asset protection.
Financial and insurance products: the Italian standards
Wealth management in Italy relies on specific capitalisation vehicles geared towards security and flexibility.
Why choose Balmont Conseil for your wealth in Italy?
Choosing a partner for wealth management in Italy should hinge on the ability to process complex data in real time.
Legal Security and International Regulations
Navigating international tax regulations demands constant vigilance, as tax administrations increasingly cooperate through the automatic exchange of information.
International tax treaties and Double taxation
Application of the regime must always be weighed against international tax treaties. These treaties take precedence over domestic law and determine whether France actually has the right to tax remuneration connected with work abroad. A misreading of the treaty can wipe out any hope of tax recovery or, worse, create double taxation.
Case law on impatriation and Tax-arbitrage risks
The tax authorities are particularly alert to tax-arbitrage risks. The case law on impatriation shows that the tax office does not hesitate to challenge arrangements in which the impatriation bonus is manifestly overstated in order to reduce French tax artificially. The tax return of impatriates must therefore be backed by solid evidence of a genuine recruitment from abroad.
A 360° vision for your transalpine future
Italy offers exceptional wealth-management opportunities for those who can master its complexity. Whether you are in an accumulation phase or a wealth-transfer phase, a rigorous, technology-driven approach is the only guarantee of durability.
Your ambition deserves expertise without borders.
Alexis Sagnier
With more than 17 years of expertise in financial engineering, Alexis Sagnier supports company directors and expatriates in securing their cross-border interests.
Sources & Références :
- French General Tax Code (CGI): Article 155 B.
- Official Bulletin of Public Finances (BOFiP): Impatriates regime (BOI-RSA-GEO-40).
- 2025 Finance Act: Analysis of recent developments.
- Case law on impatriation: Conseil d'État rulings on reference remuneration.
- ANACOFI Member Handbook: Standards for wealth-engineering advice.