I've looked at this Italy scheme but it's not as attractive as it sounds at first. You're definitely not going to pay 5% or less in Italy.
You still have to pay social contributions (~25% on your income), up to a maximum payment of ~100000 euros.
You still have to pay IRAP (4-5%).
Italy is in heavy weather financially, so it's not unreasonable to expect higher taxes such as a 'solidarity surcharge'. Since you're committing yourself for at least 2 years with this scheme you can't immediately move out if it goes too far.
There are also banking risks in Italy.
However, I do think it's one of the best offers if you have a very high income (500k or more), because then your effective tax rate goes below 25%, which is pretty good for a country like Italy. You can also use limited liability companies with the transparency scheme, so that you are taxed like a
self-employed freelancer but with the legal protection of a limited liability company.
More about this scheme
here.
Depending on the case, you are indeed going to pay less than 5%.
I know someone who has gone through the process some months ago, I'll explain.
As an example:
TAXES
You make €100,000 in a year
90% (€90,000) is exempt
For governmental purposes, 90% of your income doesn't exist.
The government considers you have earned €10K in one year.
Therefore, your tax rate is 23%.
You will have to pay €2,300 in Income Tax.
Effectively, you have paid 2.3% of your income in taxes.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Case 1:
Regardless if you're going to be self-employed, or under contract, if you’ve paid regular social security contributions in another EU country for two full years before going to Italy (e.g. to look for a job), you’re entitled to social security cover for a limited period from the date of the last contribution made in your home country and you will not have to make any contributions during that period of time. You’re also entitled to be covered by the national health service.
Case 2:
If you are going to be under contract, and you make, for instance, €100,000 in one year, as we've said, the government will consider your actual income to be €10,000, therefore, the social security rate applied to you is 9.19% on the total income (€10,000), this means you will have to pay €919
Case 3:
If you are self-employed, the rate varies depending on your profession, nonetheless, the contribution will still be very low considering only 10% of your income will be taken into account.
TOTAL
Case 1:
€100,000 Income
- 90% (€90,000) EXEMPT
= €10,000 Taxable
23% Tax (€2,300)
+ 0% Social Security
YOU GET: €97,700
YOU PAY: 2.3% (2,300)
Case 2:
€100,000 Income
- 90% (€90,000) EXEMPT
= €10,000 Taxable
23% Tax (€2,300)
+ 9.19% Social Security (919)
YOU GET: €96,781
YOU PAY: 3.2% (€3,219)
Case 3:
Similar to Case 2