According to the Maltese Company Act, there are several types of companies available for those interested in company formation in Malta. Among these, the most employed business vehicles are the private and public limited liability companies. There are several differences between the two business forms regarding the number of shareholders and the requirements for the minimum share capital. Investors can choose the right type of company based on their available capital, future plans for expansion and the willingness to list their company and make shares available to the public. Our agents specialized in company formation in Malta are at your disposal with company registration services in any chosen Maltese city for business.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who can register an LLC in Malta? | Domestic and international investors |
| Best use for an LLC in Malta | – import & export, – manufacturing, – insurance, – retail |
| Number of shareholders | At least 2 shareholders |
| Minimum share capital | – EUR 1,165 for private LLC, – EUR 46,500 for public LLC |
| Formalities and documents | – name verification and reservation, – Articles of Association, – licenses and permits application, – registration for tax payment |
| Local corporate bank account required | No |
| Resident director required (YES/NO) | No |
| Legal representative required (YES/NO) | No |
| Local office required (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Government approval for foreign investors (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Time frame for company registration | Around 2 weeks |
| Time frame for tax registration | Around 3 weeks |
| Possibility of hiring foreign employees | Yes |
| Investment incentives offered (YES/NO) | Yes |
| We provide support for business registration (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Company constitution | It defines the company's internal regulations and governance procedures. |
| Procedure to open a Maltese LLC | Engage our licensed corporate service provider to assist with the incorporation process and submit the required documents. |
| Taxation | Maltese LLCs are subject to corporate tax of 35% on the chargeable income. Certain types of companies benefit from reduced rates of up to 5%. |
| Financial statements | Prepare annual financial statements in accordance with Maltese accounting standards and file them with the authorities. |
| Statutory registers | Maintain and update statutory registers, including those of shareholders, directors, and beneficial owners. |
| Employment regulations | Comply with Maltese employment regulations when hiring employees, including registering with tax and social security authorities. |
| Intellectual property protection | Consider registering trademarks, patents, or copyrights to protect intellectual property rights, if applicable. |
| Double taxation treaties | Benefit from Malta's 60 double taxation treaties, which can help avoid or reduce international tax liabilities. |
| VAT registration required (yes/no) | Yes, must register for value-added tax (VAT) in Malta. |
| Corporate governance | Follow principles of good corporate governance to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices. |
| Business permits and licenses | Obtain necessary permits and licenses, if applicable, for specific business activities regulated by Maltese authorities. |
| Data protection | Comply with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), when handling personal data. |
| Investor and residence programs | Explore investor and residence programs, such as the Malta Individual Investor Program (MIIP), for potential additional benefits. |
| Professional assistance | Seek professional assistance from our business advisors who are familiar with Maltese company law and regulations. |
| Maltese Company Registry | Register the Maltese LLC with the Registrar of Companies and ensure timely updates of company information. |
The Maltese private limited liability company must have less than 50 shareholders, as required by regulations for doing business in 2023. It needs to be incorporated by at least two initial members, however, the law also allows for a special form of private exempt company with only one shareholder. At least one director and one company secretary are necessary to ensure the management of the company. The minimum share capital for the private limited liability company is approximately EUR 1,165 or its equivalent in another currency. 20% of this amount must be deposited in a bank account at the time of company formation in Malta. If you are also interested in immigrating to Malta after starting a business here, we can recommend you our local partners specialized in immigration issues.
The Maltese LLC registration is done in maximum two weeks, followed by the registration for the payment of taxes, which takes around three weeks. The formalities are quite simple and can be managed by one of our specialists who are experienced in registering a company in Malta.
The public limited liability company can have more than 50 shareholders. The minimum share capital required to incorporate this type of business is EUR 46,500. This amount can be submitted in euros or in another currency. The entire capital must be submitted upon incorporation if the amount is no larger than EUR 46,500. The share capital of a public limited liability company is divided into shares of a fixed nominal value. Companies that issue shares must provide relevant information about their profits and losses and financial status in order to allow the investor to make an informed decision regarding the purchase of shares.
Public companies in Malta have different requirements for corporate management and annual financial reporting. At least two directors are needed to run the company and also a company secretary. It is good to know that the shares of such a company can be listed on the stock exchange in Malta. As for the private LLCs, these cannot trade their shares. The Articles of Association include details about the right to transfer the stocks in a company and the methods through which the public can contribute to the company stocks. The shareholders of both types of companies will have limited liability with respect to the companies’ debts and obligations. Shareholders’ liability will be limited to the amount they contributed to the foundation of the company.
Private companies can be converted into public ones by changing the memorandum and articles of association. The resolution to make these changes must be submitted for registration with the Registrar of Companies together with other relevant documents. Our company formation consultants in Malta can help you with more information about the distinct requirements for each type of company and they can assist you register a company in Malta as soon as possible.
Maltese limited liability companies need to open a bank account. And here the procedures are simple, but you have to wait around four weeks. There are no restrictions regarding the financial institution chosen for this approach.
In case you are interested in opening a company in another country, such as Estonia, we can put you in contact with our Estonian partners.
The first step to open a limited liability company in Malta is to draft the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company. The documents will be submitted to the Maltese Companies Register. The incorporation procedure will take about 24 hours. Other requirements for opening a limited liability company in Malta are:
The company must also apply for a trading license with the competent authorities depending on the type of activities it will carry out. Such aspects can be entirely overseen by one of our specialists in registering a company in Malta who know the business regulations for 2023 in this country.
Yes, companies from overseas can easily establish branches or subsidiaries which run under the rules of limited liability companies in Malta. There are several benefits for each type of entity, but for a better understanding of how you can set up such a structure in Malta, we recommend you talk to one of your advisors who are experiend in registering a company in Malta.
The tax structure for limited liability companies in Malta is appealing to most of the investors from abroad. The corporate tax is set at 35%, but it can be reduced to 5% if an offshore company is created in Cyprus owning the shares in an LLC in Malta. One should know that there is no tax imposed for dividends and interests of a bank account. There are no licenses fees, and no withholding tax on royalties, and dividends. The standard VAT is set at 18% and it is applicable to companies in the trading sector in the EU. We invite you to address your inquiries about the taxes for limited liability companies to our team of consultants. You can also watch the video presentation about how to register a company in Malta:
Malta has signed over 70 double tax treaties, which means that your company income can not be taxed twice. We recommend those interested in the tax system in Malta to contact our local specialists.
Maltese LLCs can easily hire foreign workers, regardless of their nationality, bearing in mind that they are subject to local taxes and contributions. Among the conditions of hiring staff in Malta, we mention the work permit which is issued by the authorities in charge.
Yes, an LLC in Malta is subject to annual general meetings which can be held not only in Malta, but also in any country worldwide as long as it is a unanimous decision in the company. We remind that a limited liability company in Malta can have nominee shareholders if they are interested in complete confidentiality. We remind that the company management is handled by a board of directors with complete control of the activities in the firm. Also, the rights and responsibilities of the managers in the Maltese LLC are stipulated by the Articles of Association, the company’s important documents. Feel free to get in touch with us for comprehensive information and support for company incorporation in Malta, tax compliance and advice, and even accounting services on request.
A Maltese limited liability company has several benefits: a fast incorporation, a low corporate tax imposed, an unlimited number of shareholders for public LLCs and an advantageous minimum share capital. Foreign entrepreneurs looking to open a limited liability company in Malta can have complete ownership in their firms, complete confidentiality, and an easy registration procedure with the Maltese authorities. We remind that the LLCs in Malta can be registered by at least one stockholder and managed by a board of directors. Being a cost-efficient business structure in Malta, a limited liability company is the preferred entity for establishing most of the activities in this country.
If you are interested in starting a business in another country, such as opening a company in Austria, our agents who can put you in touch with our local partners.
Limited liability companies in Malta can be registered fast, in about two weeks, as soon as the Trade Register accepts the Articles of Association, the main documents of the company. It is good to know that the next step after the incorporation certificate is obtained is to register the company as a taxpayer and apply for the company’s seal. Registering an LLC in Malta in 2023 is not complicated, yet our agents can tell you more in this sense.
Foreign investors can decide to open companies in other countries too, such as Canada, where the time frame for the incorporation of a company is just one day after they submit all the necessary documents at the local Trade Register. They can obtain an entrepreneur startup visa and permanent residency in this country. They can also enroll for the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Scheme, if they can make a significant investment of minimum CAD$ 2 million for a period of 15 years.
Yes, if you do not want to deal with the requirements and procedures of opening a company in Malta, you have the possibility of acquiring a ready-made company in Malta. This is also known as a shelf company that comes with a series of advantages like being already registered, having no activities on the market, having no liabilities or debts, and being ready for use on the market at any time. The limited liability company is the structure for your shelf company in Malta which is already registered with the authorities. As soon as the ownership of the shelf company is transferred to the new owner, the business may activate in the chosen field of interest. A ready-made company is often the solution of foreign investors wanting to enter the Maltese market as soon as they decide for business in this country, and not wanting to open a company from scratch. For extra details about a shelf company in Malta, you may address to our team of consultants.
The insular state hosts a large number of foreign companies. Some of them are created from scratch or some are relocated from different countries. The company relocation in Malta is possible and it is a straightforward process that can be handled by one of our specialists. Company owners who decide on relocation must prepare a resolution in this sense, with information about this decision, a copy of the Articles of Association, a declaration that states the relocation, and the certificate of good standing from the home country. These are a few of the documents that must be prepared for the company relocation process in Malta, not before the business is de-registered from the country of origin. Some companies might require specific business licenses and permits when relocating to Malta, depending on the activities. Yet, this isn’t an impediment and can be a task properly handled by our agents in Malta. Malta business registry can be handled by us.
Our company formation agents in Malta may draft the Articles of Association and help you with the registration procedure. You may also contact us for registration with the tax authorities and other accounting services.
