On 17 April 2024, Prime Ministerial Decree no. 40 of 4 March 2024 established the Simplified Logistics Zones (SLZ), already introduced by art. 1, paragraphs 61-65 of Law no. 205 of 2017, with the aim of creating favourable economic, financial and administrative conditions for the development of new investments in the port areas of the most developed regions of Central and Northern Italy. 

The Simplified Logistics Zone (SZL), which is presented as the transposition of the Single SEZ for Southern Italy into the regions with the highest development rate, can be established in a maximum number equal to one for each region, in the presence of a port area, which features the characteristics regulated by art. 1, paragraph 62, of Law no. 205 of 2017 and subsequent amendments, or a Port System Authority (Law no. 84/1994). 

Alternatively, the SLZ may take the form of an interregional SLZ if a region in which there is no port area and another region in which there is at least one port area jointly apply for its establishment. 

The SLZ comprises territories such as ports, dry port areas (also of a productive and airport nature), logistic platforms and freight villages, and is aimed at guaranteeing in the aforementioned areas tax  breaks and customs benefits in the aforementioned areas, such as the award of a contribution, in the form of a tax credit, to businesses that purchase capital goods intended for already existing production facilities or which are being set up in the territory (art. 1, paragraphs 89-92 of Law No. 205 of 2017), and the establishment of Customs Free Zones (ZFDs) (Regulation (EU) No. 952/2013), as well as administrative simplification measures such as the issuance of the Single Authorisation, with the consequent reduction in terms and costs of preliminary investigation. 

In particular, pursuant to Article 12 of Prime Ministerial Decree 40/2024, the issuance of the Single Authorisation is subject to the "projects concerning economic activities or the establishment of industrial, production and logistics activities within the SLZ, not subject to certified notifications of commencement of business or communication". Moreover, where necessary, the Single Authorisation constitutes a variant to urban and spatial planning instruments, with the exception of the regional landscape plan. The works for the implementation of the above-mentioned projects in the SLZ by public and private entities are deemed to be of 'public utility, nondeferrable and urgent', without prejudice to the provisions in force concerning the authorisation of energy plants and infrastructures and concerning works and other activities falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the Port System Authorities and airports. 

The first Simplified Logistics Zone (SLZ) established at national level is the SLZ Porto di Venezia - Rodigino. 

Regulatory references: 

Prime Minister's Decree No. 40 of 4 March 2024 'Regulation for the establishment of Simplified Logistics Zones (SLZ) pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 65, of Law No. 205 of 27 December 2017' 

L. No. 205 of 27 December 2017 'State budget for the financial year 2018 and multi-year budget for the three-year period 2018-2020'; 

L. No. 84 of 28 January 1994 'Reorganisation of legislation on ports'.