Company Formation in Malta

Ranked among the most prosperous countries in the European Union and classified as an advanced economy by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Malta has become more and more attractive to foreign investors. Since its accession to the European Union, Malta has undergone significant changes in order to become competitive. The strength of the Maltese economy comes from its strategic location, its taxation system, skilled and multilingual workforce and the developed financial, tourism and IT industry, which attracted numerous businessmen interested in company formation in Malta.  For a better understanding of how company incorporation takes place in Malta, we invite you to talk to our team of specialists in Malta at any time.

 

 

Ciantar Associates (CompanyIncorporationMalta.com) is a partner of BridgeWest and is licensed by the Malta Institute of Accountants as Auditors and by the Malta Financial Services Authority. Our firm is also a member of several important organizations, among which AGN International and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners.

The main types of entities available for company formation in Malta are:

Each form of business is subject to certain company formation conditions for which our team of company incorporation specialists in Malta can offer complete assistance.

The private limited liability company is the most employed type of business vehicle in Malta. According to the Maltese Company Act, a private limited liability company must have a minimum share capital of  EUR 1,165. However, if the share capital does not exceed the minimum requirements, it must be fully subscribed upon incorporation, while if it exceeds the minimum share capital, at least 20% of the amount must be deposited. The private company is also required to have at least two shareholders, one director, one company secretary, and a registered office. The legislation does not require the company’s directors to be Maltese residents.

 

 

Limited liability companies may also be registered as public companies during the process of company formation in Malta. This type of company is required to have at least two shareholders who will subscribe a minimum share capital of approximately EUR 46,600 of which at least 25% must be paid upon the incorporation of the company. Compared to the private company, the public company must have at least two directors and may trade its shares on the Maltese Stock Exchange.

Foreign companies may also set up branch offices in Malta, while for individuals looking for a simpler way of doing business in the country, the sole proprietorship is the best option. Our experts in company formation in Malta can help you choose the right type of company.

The most important documents for company incorporation in Malta are the memorandum and articles of association. These must contain:

Copies of the passport or other identification papers of the directors and secretaries must also be submitted with the Maltese Trade Register. Foreign citizens are not required to come to Malta for the incorporation procedure. They can appoint a representative agent and give him/her the power of attorney for legal representation.

 

Steps for company incorporation in Malta

1. Select the proper business structure for your future operations in Malta.
2. Prepare at least 3 unique names for your company and solicit a name verification in this sense with the Registry of Companies in Malta.
3. Open a bank account in Malta and draft the minimum share capital imposed for your business.
4. Prepare and submit the Articles of Association and the Memorandum for your firm in Malta.
5. Apply for the proper business licenses and permits before starting the activities in Malta.
6. Register for tax purposes as soon as the company receives the certificate of incorporation issued by the Registry of Companies in Malta.

Costs for forming a company in Malta

1. Registration fee: the standard registration fee is set at EUR 375, but it might vary depending on the chosen city for business.
2. Minimum share capital: EUR 1,165 is necessary for opening a private limited liability company and EUR 46,600 for a public LLC.
3. Virtual office cost: approximately EUR 125 per month for a virtual office package.
4. Company formation fee: approximately EUR 1350, but a tailored offer can be provided by our team.
5. Accounting costs for your company: from EUR 50/month (for a package that contains bookkeeping services, tax advice and many more).

Once the registration procedure is concluded, the company must also apply for a business license and other necessary permits depending on the activity to be carried out. The company must also apply for a tax identification number (TIN) and register for VAT. The last step is to obtain an employer identification number (PE number) and register its employees with the Employment Training Corporation (ETC). If you need tax advice in Switzerland, we can put you in contact with our partners, a team of experienced tax advisors in Zürich.

 

Foreign investors who are interested in company formation in Malta and a fast start on the Maltese market can consider purchasing a shelf company in Malta. This is also known as a ready-made company that comes with several benefits like credibility on the market, a fast registration and easy access to bank credits in Malta. We are at your disposal with information about how the ownership transfer is made for a shelf company in Malta for foreign investors.

 

 

A virtual office in Malta is directed to business persons who want to test the market and have no operational costs for traditional offices. Among the virtual office services in Malta we mention the collection of incoming and outgoing faxes, voice mailbox, call redirecting to the private local number on request, the collection of bank statements and many more. We are at your disposal with information about the virtual office services we can offer in Malta.

 

 

Yes, foreign investors with companies in Malta can receive secretarial services, trust services, and nominee shareholders and nominee director services on request. Our Maltese company formation representatives can handle the management services and can cater to your needs as a foreign business investor in this state.

 

We also invite you to contact our team of company formation consultants in Malta for in-depth information and assistance about the services we can provide.