Here are the tax rates of Europe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_of_Europe Do you really pay 45% in income tax in Italy?
Actually I can't count.I think that summing all taxes (with hidden ones) we pay 50%and this is for a private.A firm pays roughly 70%.That's why we are renowned for fleeing from paying taxes.
And moreover one must think on how much money gets, i.e. in Switzerland they are supposed to pay 45% like in Italy but they get close to two times the wage for the same job.And for living they spend on average only 10-20% more than us.
It might surprise you, but actually some people like it. I guess it's a matter of what you want. If you are the kind of person who needs a quiet place, it's not for you.
each yr i get mugged 50% of my rental biz earnings...yet trading profits are taxed at 12%: that's the standard vat [iva] and applies to everything. we italians put up with obscene taxes...we even pay a tax on the tax for our electrity; a practice that has been deemed illegal yet forced upon us anyways.