Bangladeshis are among the most entrepreneurial communities in Italy. According to the Labour Ministry’s 2025 report, there are 30,300 sole proprietorships owned by people born in Bangladesh — 7.7% of all businesses run by non-EU citizens, making it the fourth community by number of businesses.
What they do
62.6% of Bangladeshi businesses are in retail — groceries, minimarkets, phone shops, clothing, street vending — against an average of 37.2% for non-EU businesses. The second sector is business services.
Where
- Lazio: 35.4% of businesses
- Campania: 15.4%
- Lombardy: 12.3%
Banking and finance
77% of Bangladeshis have a bank account, against 90% on average for non-EU citizens. The community’s financial literacy index is 3.8 out of 10. For those who want to grow, access to credit and digital skills make the difference.
Before you open
- You need a VAT number and registration with the Chamber of Commerce; some sectors also require municipal licences and mandatory courses (for example for food).
- Choose your tax regime with an accountant: the flat-rate regime suits those with modest turnover.
- You can start a business with a self-employment or employment permit; check the conditions for your permit with a patronato or CAF.
