How to transfer a hair or beauty salon in Italy
Transferring a hair salon or beauty salon in Italy takes a clear strategy that combines legal compliance, a solid valuation of the business and well-managed contact between the seller and the investor. The beauty and wellness sector has its own specifics, tied not only to the physical assets on the premises but, above all, to goodwill, a loyal client base and compliance with regional and municipal rules. This guide walks you through each stage of the business transfer so you can maximise the value of the business and find the right buyer in the market.
What a salon transfer is and how it is regulated in Italy
The sale of a hair salon is framed in Italian law as a cessione del ramo d'azienda (the closest concept to a business transfer in Spain), governed by articles 2555 and following of the Italian Civil Code. This agreement transfers the set of assets organised by the entrepreneur to run the activity: equipment, furniture, ongoing contracts and goodwill.
Business transfer, sale of shares or sale of the premises: not the same thing
You should distinguish the transfer of the salon from other transactions you also see on the market:
- Business transfer (cessione del ramo d'azienda): the owner transfers the business operations, machinery, licence and contracts, while ownership of the premises remains separate.
- Sale of shareholdings: ownership of the shares in a company (an S.r.l. or S.n.c., the Italian equivalent of an S.L.) that owns the salon is transferred, along with the company’s historical debts and receivables.
- Sale of the premises: this refers only to the ownership of the commercial property. The usual approach is to transfer the business and have the buyer take over the commercial lease with the landlord.
Legal requirements, activity licence and installations regulations
To complete the transfer, the buyer must meet the professional requirements in Law 174/2006, including a professional hairdresser qualification obtained after the relevant regional training and exam. Administratively, you need to file the SCIA (Italy’s start-of-activity notification, similar to Spain’s responsible declaration) with the municipal one-stop shop (SUAP) of the relevant municipality.
In addition, the premises must meet the health standards set by the local health authority (ASL) and have up-to-date compliance certificates for the electrical, HVAC and fume extraction systems, which are essential for the salon’s technical services.
When and how to prepare the salon for sale
Planning the transfer 6 to 12 months in advance lets you show interested parties a healthy business with transparent accounts, avoiding a fire-sale price under time pressure once the listing is live.
The best time to put the salon on the market
The ideal time to transfer a salon is when the business has stable or growing figures and does not depend solely on the owner’s physical presence. Selling at a good level of revenue allows you to achieve a clearly higher transfer price than if you sell because revenue is falling or the local market is saturated.
How to increase the business value: services, cross-selling and client base
Before going to market, put in place some measures to lift the average spend per customer:
- Add higher-margin services: incorporating services such as hair reconstruction, keratin straightening or advanced beauty services raises the average spend per client.
- Work on cross-selling: selling at-home maintenance products generates recurring income that does not depend only on staff hours.
- Digitise the client base: having your customers organised in management software shows the buyer visit frequency, loyalty and each customer’s spend history.
Mistakes that reduce the value of a salon or beauty centre
The issues that most devalue a business of this kind include messy bookkeeping, failing to keep salon furniture and equipment in good condition, and a brand that is too tied to the previous owner’s image. If clients come only for the owner, the buyer will see a high risk of losing customers after the handover.
How to price a hair salon business transfer
A salon valuation is based on assets and profitability, weighted together. There is no single formula. You combine estimates and discuss them between the parties before agreeing the final price.
Item to assess How it is calculated How it affects the final price Furniture and equipment Second-hand market value and condition. Added directly to the assets (replacement value). Revenue and operating margin Multiple on average annual revenue (usually between 0.4 and 0.8) or on EBITDA. Determines how long it will take to recoup the investment. Goodwill (business transfer) Location, online reputation, customer loyalty and growth potential. The “intangible” part of the price, calculated on expected future profit. Rent to revenue ratio How much rent weighs on total revenue (ideally below 10 to 12%). Adjusts the price according to business risk.
How to value furniture, equipment and salon products
Backwash units, styling chairs, hood dryers and beauty equipment should be inventoried, applying a depreciation percentage to their original purchase price. Stocks of cosmetic and technical products are valued at cost, excluding opened or expired items.
How goodwill is calculated and the weight of average revenue
Goodwill (what in Spain is often called simply the “transfer” price) reflects the business’s ability to generate profit thanks to its location, brand reputation and loyal clientele. It is usually calculated by applying a multiple to the average net profit of the last three financial years, taking into account how revenue has trended over time.
How much rent weighs on the business value
Rent has a strong impact on the buyer’s profitability. An above-market rent reduces the operating margin and lowers the goodwill valuation.
Required documents and key terms in the transfer agreement
Having all documents in order lets you negotiate quickly and avoid legal surprises for either party.
The commercial lease in a business transfer (Italian Law 392/78)
Under article 36 of Italian Law 392/78, the seller may sublet the premises or assign the commercial lease even without the landlord’s consent, provided the business is transferred or leased together with the contract. The landlord may object only on serious grounds, and has thirty days from receipt of formal notice (by PEC, Italy’s certified email system, or by burofax) to do so.
Employees and the severance provision (TFR) in the transfer
Article 2112 of the Italian Civil Code provides that, when the business is transferred, employment continues with the new owner and the employee retains all acquired rights. The seller and the buyer are jointly liable for everything owed to the employee at the time of the transfer, including the accrued TFR provision (Italy’s end-of-service indemnity), unless you expressly agree to settle it before the transfer.
How to negotiate and close the transfer step by step
The sale process requires confidentiality and clear contractual steps to protect both seller and buyer.
How to present the salon to buyers and manage the negotiation
Preparing an information pack with financials, floor plans, equipment data sheets and reports from the management software helps you qualify and focus on genuinely interested buyers. In early discussions, have them sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before sharing sensitive data or accounts.
Signing before a notary, tax treatment and closing
The definitive transfer must be formalised by a public deed or a private agreement with signatures notarised, and the notary files it with the Italian Business Register within 30 days. For tax purposes, the transfer is subject to registration tax (no VAT applies). Any capital gains realised by the seller are included in their taxable income under IRPEF or IRES, Italy’s personal and corporate income taxes.
Frequently asked questions about transferring a salon in Italy
How long does it usually take to sell a salon in Italy?
On average, between 3 and 9 months. It depends on the asking price, the location and how visible the listing is on business transfer portals.
Does the buyer of an inherited salon have to hold a hairdressing qualification?
Yes, to run day-to-day operations you need the qualification. Otherwise, the buying company must appoint a technical manager who does meet the legal requirements.
What happens to prior debts when the salon is transferred?
The buyer is jointly liable for business debts recorded in the statutory accounting books. This is why it is common to request a pending tax-debt certificate from the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) to check there are no hidden liabilities.
Can you transfer the salon without including the equipment?
Yes. You can agree options such as leasing the business or excluding certain assets from the transfer agreement, adjusting the final price accordingly.
traspasso.com: the platform connecting buyers and sellers of salons
Selling or buying a hair or beauty salon in Italy takes visibility and direct access to the market. traspasso.com specialises in connecting owners who want to transfer their business with entrepreneurs and investors looking to take over an existing business. Publishing your listing or searching for opportunities on traspasso.com helps you reach interested buyers across Italy quickly, making the first contact between buyer and seller easy so you can start negotiating openly and directly.