US judgments in Italy: recognition and serving documents
Updated to
In short: a US judgment is not automatically enforceable in Italy. Italy applies its own rules, art. 64 of Law 218/1995, which list seven conditions. The 2019 Hague Judgments Convention is in force for the EU, including Italy, but the HCCH table shows no ratification date for the United States. Arbitral awards travel better: both countries are parties to the New York Convention.
Part of the guide Vetting an Italian company or counterparty: a guide for US businesses.
Serving documents in Italy
The HCCH lists the United States as a Contracting Party to the 1965 Service Convention (entry into force February 10, 1969) and Italy as well (ratified November 25, 1981, in force January 24, 1982); the table was last updated March 21, 2024 (HCCH: Service Convention status table). A defendant served improperly may later resist recognition: art. 64 requires that the introductory act was brought to the defendant's knowledge in accordance with the law of the place of the proceedings and that defense rights were respected.
Recognition under Italian law
Art. 64 of Law 218/1995 provides that a foreign judgment is recognized in Italy without any proceeding when: the foreign court could have heard the case under Italian jurisdiction principles; service and defense rights were respected; the parties appeared under the foreign law or default was declared in accordance with it; the judgment is final under the law of the place; it does not conflict with a final Italian judgment; no earlier Italian proceeding between the same parties on the same subject is pending; and its effects are not contrary to public policy (Normattiva: Legge 218/1995, art. 64).
Treaties
- HCCH 2019 Judgments Convention: entered into force September 1, 2023 for the EU and its Member States including Italy; for the United States the table lists only signature on March 2, 2022 (HCCH: 2019 Judgments Convention status table).
- New York Convention (1958): in force for Italy on May 1, 1969 and the United States on December 29, 1970 (UNCITRAL: New York Convention status).
Before you sue
A judgment is only worth what you can collect. Check whether the Italian debtor still exists, who owns it and whether it has protests or insolvency proceedings. Decisione (€49) adds real estate registered to the company and group links, and Istruttoria (€99) the full analysis. Prices are one-off and in euros.
The service and the report are in Italian, built from Italian official sources: company names, offices and procedures keep their original Italian wording. Veryfy does not offer a translated report.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enforce a US court judgment in Italy?
Italy recognizes foreign judgments without any special proceeding when the conditions of art. 64 of Law 218/1995 are met, such as finality under the law of the place of judgment, respect for defense rights and no contrary public policy effects. Whether yours qualifies is for an Italian lawyer to assess.
Is the Hague Judgments Convention available between the US and Italy?
The HCCH status table (last updated May 13, 2025) lists Italy, bound through the EU, with entry into force on September 1, 2023, and lists only a signature date, March 2, 2022, for the United States.
What about arbitral awards?
The United States and Italy are both parties to the New York Convention: entry into force December 29, 1970 for the US and May 1, 1969 for Italy, according to the UNCITRAL status page.
More in this cluster
Hub: Vetting an Italian company or counterparty: a guide for US businesses. Related guides:
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- Beneficial ownership of an Italian S.r.l. for US KYC
- Chapter 15 vs Italian insolvency proceedings
- Acquiring an Italian SME: due diligence and golden power
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- OFAC screening of an Italian company's owners
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- Buying property in Italy from the US: check the seller and title
- Inheriting property in Italy: succession filing for US heirs
All guides: Guides.
Sources
Official sources opened and read on October 24, 2026 (2026-10-24).
- HCCH: Service Convention status table
- HCCH: 2019 Judgments Convention status table
- Normattiva: Legge 218/1995, art. 64
- UNCITRAL: New York Convention status
General information, not legal advice. Sources verified on 2026-10-24.
Frequently asked questions
Can I enforce a US court judgment in Italy?
Italy recognizes foreign judgments without any special proceeding when the conditions of art. 64 of Law 218/1995 are met, such as finality under the law of the place of judgment, respect for defense rights and no contrary public policy effects. Whether yours qualifies is for an Italian lawyer to assess.
Is the Hague Judgments Convention available between the US and Italy?
The HCCH status table (last updated May 13, 2025) lists Italy, bound through the EU, with entry into force on September 1, 2023, and lists only a signature date, March 2, 2022, for the United States.
What about arbitral awards?
The United States and Italy are both parties to the New York Convention: entry into force December 29, 1970 for the US and May 1, 1969 for Italy, according to the UNCITRAL status page.
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