Still dreaming of Italy

Hello Walter,
We have friends in both UK and NZ who left SA due to the increasing pressures from the government and changing hostile attitudes so understand you wanting a life in a friendlier country.
It would help to know what type of engineer you are, Electronic, Structural, blue tooth, etc before more direct advice can be given to you.
Italy is a very diverse country, the north is more industrial but Rome has a huge electronics community, businesses of all types flourish in the most remote places it seems at times. Perhaps you could be self-employed designer/consultant depending on your area of expertise.
We live centrally not far from Lake Trasimeno and have found the locals to be welcoming and helpful to a large number of diverse peoples who have emigrated here, with free language lessons and advice.
Good luck
Marguerite & Michael

Dear Marguerite & Michael Hunt.

Many thanks for your response.

Yes, it makes sense to mention that I am a Mechanical Engineer established in project management. Being self employed is something I am used to, but I am not sure what permit/visa would be required for me to stay in Italy long enough to re-start my business over there.

Sometimes I think that a mobile Gelato stand near a lake will be sufficient....
Kindest regards,
Walter

Walter Bold wrote:

Sometimes I think that a mobile Gelato stand near a lake will be sufficient....

Why not?
At least you'd know what Italian competition means... 
Ciao
Janin

We often wondered why we have never ever seen a mobile ice cream van here, perhaps it is because many lakeside/seaside venues are overflowing with cafes & bars that sell it? There are mobile porcetta stands, that sell other meats and rolls at weekly markets but you are a qualified engineer so joking aside..
Actually setting up in business is relatively easy just get an accountant to advise the sort you need to be registered as, single person company, multi-person directors but still small business, large limited company or vast (IBM sized!. VAT (IVA) registration (22% taxation added to all invoices) and so on. Here in Italy there is no such thing as a dormant company it is either trading or out of business! Also the finance/tax departments are used to evasion so they assume a certain amount of trade has happened and expect taxes on that amount if you cannot prove overwise so an accountant is essential
Your problem is going to be getting business to your door as a self-employed owner.
Maybe start by sending your prospects/cv to some firms here and feel out the territory? Or looking for an existing company for sale? or to buy into?
All things are possible but remember they are very literal here if you ask for a black pen but they have run out they might not offer you a blue one as that is not what you asked for...and it is normal for things to go very slowly, tink days not hours, months not weeks, it is the country where 'slow food' began after all.
Hope this has been some use towards your future here,
Ciao
Marguerite