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Set Up a Public Limited Liability Company in Malta

Set Up a Public Limited Liability Company in Malta

The limited liability company is the most employed type of business form by foreign investors opening a company in Malta in 2024. The main reasons for opening this type of company is the limited responsibility of the shareholders when it comes to the company’s obligations and the low taxes imposed by the Maltese authorities. Foreign investors can choose between two types of limited liability companies: private and public limited liability.

Our company incorporation agents in Malta can offer full information on the two types of companies and can assist foreign investors in choosing the right type of form in accordance with their needs.

How to register a public limited liability company in Malta in 2024

The first step to open a public limited liability company in Malta is to set up a bank account where the share capital will be deposited. Then, the documents must be filed with the Trade Register. The company must also register for taxation, VAT and employment purposes. If required, it must also apply for special licenses or permits in accordance with the activities it will undertake. This is also the case for investment funds.

Malta’s regulatory framework for public offerings and European expansion

Public limited companies (PLCs) in Malta are permitted to engage in extended share issuance to facilitate public offerings. These shares, which can be either common or preference shares, are freely transferable. This structure enables PLCs to list on the Maltese Stock Exchange (Borza) as well as various other stock exchange platforms within the European Union (EU). As Malta is a member state of the EU, its legislation also accommodates the establishment of European public limited liability companies, commonly known as Societas Europaea (SE). Opting to establish an SE provides clients with the opportunity to conduct business across the EU without being subject to the diverse laws of individual member states. In the case of an SE registered in Malta, the company’s home state is considered to be Malta, and thus, it falls under Maltese regulations.

Overview of Maltese public limited liability company

The public limited liability company is regulated by the Maltese Company Act which provides for the following requirements to register this type of company:

  • it must have at least two shareholders who can be individuals or other companies;
  • it must have a minimum share capital of approximately 46,500 euros;
  • at least 25% of the share capital must be deposited at the registration;
  • its memorandum and articles of association must stipulate it is a public company;
  • it must have at least two directors and a secretary;
  • its name must contain the abbreviation PLC;
  • it must have a registered address in Malta.

Compared to the private company, the public limited liability company in Malta may also trade its shares of the capital markets and is a good choice for foreign professional investors interested in creating investment funds in this country.

For assistance in opening a public limited liability company in 2024, do not hesitate to contact our company registration consultants in Malta.