Italy would need Germany's OK to Export Type 212 Submarines

Italian companies would need German companies’ permission to export Type 212s. Type 212s have some diesel and structural limitations. Italy's future Type 212 NFS will be able to fully submerge longer because they will have fuel cell AIP and new Lithium-ion batteries. 

Following "Italy to build 4 Type U212 NFS Long Submergence Submarines" of December 11, 2020 Anonymous has kindly commented (with Pete edits for improved English):

For any future export of Type 212s from Italy’s Fincantieri, the Type 212’s unique structure and intellectual property rights should be considered. As 212s mount one diesel generator and have no center bulkhead [1], redundancy if the diesel fails and safety if water leaks should be concerning. Key technologies such as the floating deck, fuel cell AIP system, arrangement of batteries and the PERMASYN motor are patents of Germany’s SIEMENS and TKMS.

[1] According to standards for submarines [2], pressure tight bulkheads, including doors and equipment, are requirements for submarines. Then, 212A without center bulkhead might be refused by some potential customer navies.

[2] RULES FOR CLASSIFICATION Naval vessels DNV GL

Part 4 Sub-surface ships Chapter 1 Submarines

3.3 Pressure hull

3.3.2 In addition, component drawings of the pressure hull equipment shall be submitted including:
— entry and exit hatches
— door panels and door frames
— block flanges
— pressure hull wall penetrations and their arrangement incl. torpedo tubes
— pressure tight bulkheads including doors and equipment
— diver’s lockouts, if existing 
— escape trunks.

Anonymous
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Cutaway diagram of a future Italian Type 212 NFS (Courtesy H I Sutton via navalnews) 

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