This study has been carried out by the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law in Lausanne on behalf of the European Commission. The whole 400-page Study (Legal Analysis) is available at https://studylib.es/doc/4993364/the-application-of-foreign-law-in-civil-matters-in-the-eu. The study aims to analyze the different approaches and methods employed by the Member States when dealing with foreign law, especially in the area of conflict of laws. Five elements have been analyzed in each legal system, as they all have an impact on the manner in which foreign law will be dealt with by the Member States. The application of foreign law depends on a variety of factors. The conflict of law rules that predetermine the application of foreign law, do not have the same status in all Member States (1). Once the need to apply foreign law has been established, legal systems contain different principles as to the manner of determining the content of foreign law (2). In case it is not possible to establish the content of the applicable foreign law, legal systems might provide for varying consequences (3). The control of the application of foreign law by superior courts also has an impact on the status of foreign law (4). Lastly, some special considerations might apply when it comes to application of foreign law by non-judicial authorities (5). The Report on Italy (25 pages) has been prepared by Gian Paolo Romano on behalf of the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law.