B2B payment practices trends in Italy 2025

How do companies in Italy cope with B2B payment risks in the current unpredictable times?

Payment behaviour challenges spark focus on strategic credit risk management 

While Italian companies tell us the payment behaviour of their business-to-business (B2B) customers has remained stable in recent months, overdue invoices still affect half of all B2B credit sales. This highlights a persistently challenging payment landscape for many businesses. Payment delays are mainly driven by rising operational costs, tight cash flow, and broader economic uncertainty.

Despite this, firms in Italy show a strong willingness to support their customers. 52% of companies have relaxed their trade credit policies, with more businesses opting to either maintain or extend their payment terms rather than tighten them. Currently, 64% of B2B sales are made on credit, with common payment terms ranging from 31 to 90 days. This approach reflects a clear strategy to strengthen customer relationships and ease pressure on buyers facing their own liquidity constraints. 

What are the concerns for Italian businesses in the coming months?

Geopolitical instability and cyber threats prompt mood of caution

Our survey finds a relatively cautious outlook among companies in Italy as they plan for the coming months, with most telling us they do not anticipate major changes in the current B2B payment risk landscape. Nearly 60% of firms expect the trend for customer insolvency risk to remain steady, while the rest either hold a more pessimistic view or report uncertainty. This serves to highlight the unpredictable nature of the current economic and trading environment.

To manage these dynamics, 80% of companies plan to continue using a dual approach to customer payment risk, combining blending internal credit controls with outsourced credit management. Looking ahead, businesses identify several significant challenges likely to impact cost structures and liquidity levels. These include rising input costs, increasing regulatory burdens, ongoing geopolitical instability affecting trade and supply chains, and the growing threat of cybersecurity breaches. In this context, being agile and responsive to external pressures will be essential for maintaining financial stability and sustaining business performance.

Industry Insights

Food industry 

An average 70% of B2B sales are made on credit in this sector, reflecting a more relaxed trade credit approach adopted in recent months.  Most companies have kept payment terms stable, though many have extended them, typically ranging from 31 to 60 days. Overdue payments currently affect 55% of invoices, mainly due to customer liquidity issues amid broader economic uncertainty. Bad debts impact 7% of B2B invoices, an added concern for cash flow and revenue stability. Despite these challenges, Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) has remained stable for most companies. Inventory levels are largely unchanged, indicating steady demand and cautious stock management. 

Key industry figures and charts are provided in the report available for download below on this page.

Machinery industry 

As a result of more flexible trade credit policies, 67% of sales to B2B customers by machinery companies are currently made on credit. While most firms have kept payment terms steady, a significant number have opted to extend terms up to 90 days to support customer cash flow. Around two thirds of B2B invoices are currently overdue, often due to liquidity challenges on the customer side, while bad debts affect 6% of invoices. Payment collection performance has shown no significant improvement, while fluctuating inventory levels are chiefly driven by demand variability and supply chain disruptions. DPO has held firm for most businesses.

Key industry figures and charts are provided in the report available for download below on this page.

Steel and metals industry 

57% of B2B sales are made on credit in the steel and metals sector, most likely the result of operating a more relaxed trade credit policy in recent months. Most businesses have chosen to extend payment terms, with a significant number offering terms up to 90 days from invoicing. Overdue payments affect 53% of invoices, with bad debts impacting 6% of total B2B sales. DSO remains stable, but there is a rise in inventory build-up, which ties up cash and impacts liquidity. DPO is steady, with businesses increasingly reliant on supplier credit and bank loans for financial support. 

Key industry figures and charts are provided in the report available for download below on this page.

Interested in finding out more?

For a complete overview of the 2025 survey results for Italy, download the full report available in the related documents section below.

To explore more on how these insights can strengthen your own credit risk strategy, speak with us at Atradius to see how we can help you stay ahead.