Italy is a driver of growth and innovation in the European ICT market where semiconductors play a key role.
Italy's industry is highly export-oriented, benefiting from its strategic geographical location and first-class manufacturing base. In 2022, Italy's semiconductor export value exceeded 1.1 billion USD, marking a 57% growth over the past five years and ranking it as the 5th highest in Europe. With imports reaching 2.55 billion USD, Italy is the 4th largest European market for semiconductor demand, following Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.
The Italian ecosystem can count on a well-established supply-chain of semiconductors manufacturing facilities, research centers, design and development companies.
In 2022, Italy launched the Chips Fund, a national initiative designed to support industrial and research activities in the semiconductor sector. Additionally, Italy is implementing the National Chips Act, which focuses on strengthening the country's semiconductor ecosystem through education and training, R&D activities, and reducing bureaucracy.
In November 2023, the Italian Center for the Design of Semiconductor Integrated Circuits was established in Pavia, Lombardy. Supported by a €225 million investment plan, the center aims to serve as a network connecting universities, research centers, and firms to foster innovation and technology transfer.
Top of the class by number of graduates in engineering, Italy enjoys one of the best talent pools in Europe nurtured by a cutting-edge academic system. The Italian university courses in disciplines related to microelectronics, machinery, and mechatronics produce over 21.000 graduates yearly.
Italy is also among the global leaders by number of scientific citations on subjects related to microelectronics and semiconductors, the 1st in Europe and the 6th worldwide.
Italian universities are key strategic players in the national R&D landscape. Their advanced laboratories and research facilities provide the essential foundation for technology transfer and technological development in the industry.
The Italian R&D investments in the field of electronics amounted to about 1.2 billion euros, carried out by domestic and international companies, confirming Italy status as a dynamic research hub in Europe.
The further development of the Italian ecosystem in research and advanced technologies is supported by the National Recovery Plan with €18 billion. The Plan also provides robust tax credits for companies investing in tangible and intangible assets as well as in Research, Development, Innovation and Design.
Foreign companies seeking an ideal location for an R&D center, chip design facility, or manufacturing plant will find Italy highly attractive. The country hosts a significant number of leading microelectronics firms. Besides national champions like STMicroelectronics and Technoprobe, global industry leaders such as GlobalWafers, Vishay, SONY, ASM, and Infineon have been investing in Italy for several years.
Furthermore, Italy counts on numerous Innovative SMEs and startups. contributing to enriching the overall national expertise and fostering further development and growth.
Learn more about the Italian ecosystem at Semicon 2025 Italian Pavilion booth R7316 hosting Crea-Advantest, Marposs, Spea STMicroeletronics, Tecnoprobe and ReeR.