ATECO 2025 Codes, Corporate Purpose, and Registration with the Chamber of Commerce: What You Need to Know When Incorporating a Company

People who start a company often hear about the ATECO code, the company’s corporate purpose, and registering the business with the Chamber of Commerce.

These elements are related, but they are not the same thing.

With the introduction of the ATECO 2025 codes, this issue has become even more relevant for businesses, shareholders, and professionals who are starting a new business or considering incorporating a company.

The ATECO 2025 codes are used to classify the economic activities carried out by businesses, professionals, and organizations. The corporate purpose, on the other hand, is a provision in the articles of incorporation that defines the activities the company may engage in.

The key point is this: the ATECO code and the corporate purpose must be consistent, but they are not the same.

For this reason, when incorporating a company, it is not enough to simply select a code.

It is necessary to properly coordinate the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, the activities to be carried out, and subsequent filings with the relevant authorities.

What Are the ATECO 2025 Codes?

ATECO 2025 codes are used to classify economic activities. The ATECO classification system makes it possible to systematically identify the sector in which a business, a professional, or an organization operates.

ATECO stands for “Economic Activities” and is the national classification of economic activities adopted in Italy. The new ATECO 2025 classification has been in effect since January 1, 2025, and has been in operational use since April 1, 2025.

The official source of the classification is ISTAT, which has also published documentation regarding the new ATECO 2025 structure and the cross-reference table with ATECO 2022.

In summary, the ATECO code is used to classify economic activities for statistical, administrative, and tax purposes. It is not, however, intended to replace the legal description of the company’s business activities contained in the articles of incorporation.

In summary

ATECO 2025 codes are used to classify the economic activities carried out by businesses, professionals, and organizations. They serve to identify the sector of activity, but they do not correspond to a company’s corporate purpose.

Are the ATECO code and the corporate purpose the same thing?

No. The ATECO code and the corporate purpose are not the same thing.

The corporate purpose is a provision in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. It specifies the activities the company may engage in and helps define the legal scope of the company’s operations.

The ATECO code, on the other hand, is a classification code. It is used to assign an economic activity to an official category, as used by agencies such as ISTAT, the Revenue Agency, the Business Registry, and the Chamber of Commerce.

The two elements must be consistent, but they are different in nature.

Attention

The ATECO code does not replace the corporate purpose. Simply copying a code or classification into the articles of incorporation does not constitute a proper description of the activities the company may engage in.

Properly formulating the corporate purpose requires an assessment of the business plan, the actual business activities, ancillary activities, any future developments, and the limitations set forth in applicable law.

Why the name matters when incorporating a company

When incorporating a company, one of the most important aspects is to precisely define the business activities the company intends to carry out.

This passage affects several elements:

• • • articles of incorporation;
    • articles of incorporation;
    • corporate purpose;
    • corporate form;
    • core business;
    • any secondary activities;
    • specific authorizations or requirements;
    • notifications to the relevant authorities;
    • actual start of operations.

The notary is involved in the incorporation of the company, the drafting of the articles of incorporation, and the preparation or review of the bylaws. At this stage, formulating the corporate purpose is a delicate step.

A corporate purpose that is too broad may be unclear. A corporate purpose that is too narrow may not cover certain activities that the members actually intend to carry out.

The ATECO code, on the other hand, comes into play in terms of classification and operations, especially when the business activity is reported to the relevant authorities.

Things to Remember

The correct question is not just:

“Which ATECO code should I use?”

The preliminary question is:

“What business activities should the company be able to engage in, and how should this be correctly described in the articles of incorporation?”

Business Registration with the Chamber of Commerce and ATECO Code

Registration with the Chamber of Commerce refers to the moment when the company notifies the Chamber of the actual commencement of its business activities.

The Chamber of Commerce and the Business Registry play an operational role in managing information related to businesses, including their declared and classified activities.

The ATECO code is used to identify the economic activity carried out. The Chamber of Commerce registration may list the primary activity and, if applicable, any secondary activities according to the ATECO classification.

It is important to distinguish between the incorporation of the company and the actual start of its operations.

A company may be incorporated and registered, but may not actually begin operations until a later date. In other cases, the start of operations may be linked to the initial formalities.

The timing and procedures depend on the type of activity, the required administrative formalities, and the coordination among the notary, the accountant, and other consultants.

ATECO 2025 and ATECO 2022 Correspondence Table

ISTAT has published a cross-reference table between ATECO 2025 and ATECO 2022. This table is intended to reconcile the old and new classifications.
The table can be useful for understanding how a previous code or category is mapped to the new ATECO 2025 classification.

For those who are incorporating a new company, however, the table should not be considered a template to be copied into the articles of incorporation.

Its purpose is different: it helps users consult and compare classifications, but it does not replace an assessment of the business activities the company intends to carry out, nor does it replace the proper formulation of the corporate purpose.

Things to Remember

The ISTAT table is an official source that can be used to verify correspondences between classifications. It is not a ready-made template for drafting a company’s corporate purpose.

What to Consider Before Starting or Restructuring a Company

Before incorporating a company, or before changing the business activities of an existing company, it is advisable to clarify certain aspects.

1. The work that will actually be performed

The starting point is the company’s actual business activity. It is necessary to understand what the company will actually do, what its main business activity will be, and whether any secondary or ancillary activities are planned.

2. Consistency of the corporate purpose

The corporate purpose must be consistent with the business plan. It must describe the activities the company may engage in, without being either overly vague or unnecessarily narrow.

3. The Most Appropriate Corporate Structure

The choice of the corporate structure does not depend on the ATECO code, but on factors such as the number of shareholders, liability, share capital, governance, growth prospects, and relationships among shareholders.

4. The Wording of the Bylaws

The articles of incorporation are not merely a formal document. They govern fundamental aspects of corporate life, including the corporate purpose.

5. Any authorizations or requirements

Some activities require permits, professional qualifications, registrations, notifications, or other compliance requirements. These factors must be evaluated before operations begin.

6. Registering a Business with the Chamber of Commerce

The commencement of business activities must be consistent with the company’s actual operations and with the provisions of its corporate purpose.

7. Coordination with the accountant

The tax, administrative, and operational aspects related to the ATECO code typically require coordination with an accountant.

8. Any change to the corporate purpose

If an existing company intends to engage in activities other than those specified in its articles of incorporation, it may be necessary to consider amending the company’s corporate purpose.

The role of the notary

The notary plays a central role in the formation of the company.

Specifically, the notary:

• • • • drafts or receives the articles of incorporation;
      • verifies the formal and legal correctness of the document;
      • is responsible for drafting or reviewing the articles of incorporation;
      • contributes to the proper formulation of the corporate purpose;
      • helps avoid wording that is too vague, inconsistent, or inappropriate;
      • handles the notarial formalities related to the incorporation.

The notary does not assign an ATECO code as a tax or administrative classification.

The ATECO code pertains to the classification of economic activities and related administrative and tax obligations. For this reason, it is also necessary to coordinate with your accountant and the relevant authorities.

In this context, the value of a notary’s work lies in helping the members draft a coherent set of bylaws, with a corporate purpose that is appropriate for the business activities the company intends to carry out.

Attention

The ATECO code can help classify an economic activity, but it is not sufficient to correctly define the legal scope of the company’s business.

FAQ: ATECO Codes

What are the ATECO 2025 codes?

ATECO 2025 codes are used to classify economic activities. They serve to identify the sector in which a business, a professional, or an organization operates.

What is the ATECO code used for?

The ATECO code is used to classify economic activities for statistical, administrative, and tax purposes. It is used by agencies such as ISTAT, the Revenue Agency, the Business Registry, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Are the ATECO code and the corporate purpose the same thing?

No. The corporate purpose is a provision in the articles of incorporation that defines the activities the company may engage in. The ATECO code, on the other hand, is a classification code for economic activities.

Does the ATECO code need to be included in the articles of incorporation?

As a general rule, the articles of incorporation specify the corporate purpose, not merely a list of ATECO codes. However, it is important that the business activity classified under the ATECO code be consistent with the corporate purpose.

Who chooses the ATECO code when starting a business?

Selecting the ATECO code requires an assessment of the actual business activity and is typically coordinated with the accountant and in conjunction with the necessary filings with the Business Registry, the Revenue Agency, and the Chamber of Commerce.

When should you notify the Chamber of Commerce that you are starting a business?

The start of operations is reported when the company actually begins its economic activities. This is an operational step related to registration and compliance with the requirements of the Business Registry.

What changes with the new ATECO 2025 codes?

The ATECO 2025 codes update the classification of economic activities. To verify the correspondence with previous classifications, please consult the official table published by ISTAT.

Where can I find the official ATECO 2025 classification?

The official table of ATECO 2025 codes and the correspondence tables are published by ISTAT. It is advisable to refer to the official source rather than reproducing the table in its entirety.

Does the notary assign the ATECO code?

The notary does not assign an ATECO code for tax or administrative purposes. The notary assists in the formation of the company and in the drafting of the articles of incorporation and bylaws, including the corporate purpose.

Why must the corporate purpose and the ATECO code be consistent?

This is because the corporate purpose defines the activities the company is authorized to engage in, while the ATECO code classifies the economic activity it carries out. If these two elements are not consistent, problems may arise when starting, modifying, or managing the business.

Conclusion

The ATECO 2025 codes are important for correctly classifying economic activities, but they do not replace the company’s corporate purpose.

When incorporating a company, the key point is to carefully define what the company will be able to do, how this activity will be described in the articles of incorporation, and what requirements must be met to actually begin operations.

For this reason, it is helpful to address this issue before incorporation, ensuring that the corporate purpose, articles of incorporation, stated business activities, and subsequent requirements are properly aligned.

The Piergiorgio Nosari Notary Office assists businesses, shareholders, and professionals in preparing corporate documents and evaluating the notarial aspects related to the formation of a company.

When forming a company, it is important to properly align the corporate purpose, the articles of incorporation, and the activities the company intends to carry out. Our firm can assist the shareholders in properly drafting the articles of incorporation and the bylaws.