How to start a business in Malta

UK entrepreneurs looking at Malta are usually balancing opportunity against admin. The country can give you an English-speaking base inside the EU, but you still need to choose the right structure, register properly, understand the tax rules, and work out what post-Brexit rules mean if you want to spend time there yourself.

This guide covers how to start a business in Malta from a UK perspective, including company structures, the company registration process in Malta, likely costs, legal and tax considerations, hiring, and how to handle GBP and EUR business money once you're up and running.

We’ll also touch on how Wise Business can support you as you scale your company globally, helping you trade GBP to and from EUR with low and transparent fees.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

The contents of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Decisions related to tax should be made after thorough research, consultation and verification from a qualified financial and legal advisor.

Why start a business in Malta?

Malta is an EU member state and has been since 1 May 2004. It uses the euro, and both Maltese and English are official languages, which makes everyday admin and commercial communication easier for many UK founders.¹

For businesses that need a European base after Brexit, that matters in practice. Malta can offer a route to operating from within the EU while still working in a business environment where English is widely used and legal and corporate processes are familiar to many UK entrepreneurs.¹

Malta Enterprise positions the country as a straightforward place to set up and grow a company, while the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) acts as the single regulator for financial services in Malta. That established regulatory framework is one reason Malta is often associated with financial and corporate services as well as international trade.²³

Can a UK citizen start a business in Malta?

A UK citizen can own shares in a Maltese company, as Maltese company law does not impose nationality or residency restrictions on shareholders.⁴ Registration can often be completed remotely through Maltese corporate service providers or legal representatives, subject to the required identification, due diligence and incorporation documentation.⁵

The more important distinction is ownership versus living and working in Malta. Since Brexit, UK nationals who weren't already covered by Withdrawal Agreement rights are treated through non-EU residence routes if they want to reside in Malta,⁶ and employment-related residence may require a permit such as a Single Permit, depending on the role and circumstances.⁷

A common question is whether you need to move to Malta before you incorporate. Usually, you don't. But if you plan to manage the company from Malta day to day, or work there personally, immigration and work status should be checked earlier rather than later.

Corporate structures in Malta

Here are the key facts most founders want first.

Key facts based on Malta Business Registry guidance and CSB Group's Malta setup guide.^8,9

Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the simplest route if you are working alone and want to start trading quickly. The trade-off is that liability isn't separated from you personally, which means business debts and obligations can attach directly to the owner.⁸

Private Ltd

A private limited liability company is the structure most foreign founders look at first. It's the standard choice for many service businesses, trading companies, consultancies and growing SMEs.⁸

Public PLC

A public limited liability company is usually more relevant for larger businesses that may want a broader shareholder base or public fundraising options later.

Partnerships

Malta recognises both general and limited partnerships. These can work well where several founders want to run a business together, but the liability position depends on the partnership form, so it is worth checking carefully before choosing one for a long-term trading setup.⁸

International holding companies

Holding structures are often used when the Maltese entity is primarily there to own shares or business assets rather than run day to day trading. Tax treatment can be attractive in the right structure, but it is more specialist territory and should be reviewed with local advice before you rely on it.⁸

Trusts

Trusts exist under Maltese law, but they aren't the same as setting up an operating company. They are more commonly used for asset holding, estate planning or other specialist arrangements than for running a normal trading business.⁸

Company registration process in Malta

The company registration process in Malta is structured rather than complicated. If your documents are complete, the main bottleneck is usually getting the right information together the first time.^8,9

1. Reserve your company name with the Malta Business Registry. The name needs to be distinct and acceptable under Maltese rules, so it is worth having backup options ready.
2. Choose your business structure. For most UK founders, that means deciding whether a private PLC fits better than a sole trade, partnership or another form.
3. Prepare the statutory documents. This usually includes the Memorandum and Articles of Association, proof of share capital deposit where relevant, ID documents for directors and shareholders, and Form BO1 where beneficial ownership disclosure applies.
4. Submit the documents and pay the registration fee to the MBR. The fee depends on authorised share capital, so it changes with the structure you choose.
5. Receive the Certificate of Registration. Once a filing is accepted, the Registry can move quickly, but founders should still allow around 5 to 10 business days for the overall incorporation process in normal cases.
6. Complete the post-registration setup. That usually means VAT registration if applicable, tax registration, and JobsPlus registration if you will hire staff.

A common worry is whether you need to fly to Malta to do this. Usually you don't, because legal representatives can handle signatures and filings on your behalf where needed.¹⁰

How much does it cost to start a business in Malta?

The cost of starting a business in Malta depends on two big choices. The first is your company type and authorised capital. The second is whether you do most of the work yourself or use a corporate service provider.¹¹

Beyond setup, remember the ongoing annual costs. You may need to budget for annual returns, accounts preparation, audited financial statements, payroll administration and compliance support, especially if the company will trade actively rather than sit dormant.¹³

Tax considerations for businesses in Malta

Tax is usually the section founders skip until late, and that is where mistakes start. Malta's tax rules can be attractive, but they only work as expected when the structure, shareholder profile and filing discipline all line up.¹⁴

Tax summary based on Maltese setup guidance commonly used by foreign founders. Tax outcomes depend on structure, shareholder status and current rules.

The mechanism behind Malta’s well-known tax reputation is the refund system. A Maltese company is subject to a headline corporate tax rate of 35%, but in certain cases involving trading income, shareholders may be entitled to claim a 6/7ths tax refund after dividends are distributed. This system operates under Malta’s full imputation tax framework and is subject to specific conditions depending on the nature of the income.¹⁵

On top of tax, companies need to keep proper records, file annual returns with the Malta Business Registry, prepare annual financial statements, and stay current with VAT and payroll obligations where relevant.¹⁸ If you hire staff, that also means employer registration and compliance with Maltese employment rules.¹⁴

What is hiring like in Malta?

Hiring in Malta tends to appeal to international founders because the labour market is multilingual and English is widely used in business. If you plan to employ locally, though, the practical first step is administrative: the business needs to be registered with JobsPlus, and the employer setup includes providing a PE number, VAT number, company number and related details.¹⁶

Employment entitlement overview based on Empleo published Employee Guidance for Malta.¹⁷

If you want to hire non-EEA workers, including UK nationals post-Brexit, permit rules matter. Identità states that employment-related permits for non-EU nationals are handled through the Single Permit framework, and the employer is the party that submits the application.⁷

Go global in Malta the smart way, with Wise Business

Once the company is running, the everyday challenge is usually less about incorporation and more about cash flow. If you invoice in EUR but pay some costs in GBP, every conversion decision affects margins, timing and admin.

One practical option is the Wise Business account, it can help a business hold, send and receive money in multiple currencies, which may be useful if you need EUR payments from Maltese customers or want to pay suppliers in Malta without converting every transaction separately. You'll always get the mid-market rate, with low and transparent fees and most importantly, no hidden markups.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 70+ countries and pay overseas invoices at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation. See full cashback terms and conditions
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn variable returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Growth not guaranteed. Your balance will go down in the event of a government default or interest rates going negative.)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily (Card payment acceptance for new Wise Business customers is currently unavailable. Payment methods subject to eligibility and availability.)
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for your domestic and global needs.

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Growth not guaranteed. Your balance will go down in the event of a government default or interest rates going negative. Taxes may apply. Investments are offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd. (FRN 839689).

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Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changed on 26/11/2025. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Frequently asked questions about starting a business in Malta

What is the corporate tax rate in Malta?

Malta's headline corporate income tax rate is 35%. Some eligible non-resident shareholder structures may reduce the effective rate on trading income to around 5%, but that outcome is subject to conditions and specialist tax review.¹⁵

What are useful resources for starting a business in Malta

• Malta Business Registry — for company formation rules, filings and corporate records.
• Malta Enterprise — for business support, incentives and investment guidance.
• Malta Financial Services Authority — for regulated sectors and financial services oversight.
• Business First — for startup support and access to public business services.
• Identity Malta — for residence and permit routes relevant to UK nationals and other non-EU founders.

Do I need to be in Malta to register a company?

Not usually. Registration can generally be handled without physical presence if legal representatives sign and submit the required documentation on your behalf.¹⁰

What is the Malta Business Registry?

The Malta Business Registry (MBR) is the body responsible for company formation and registration matters in Malta. It handles incorporation filings, annual returns and core corporate registry functions.⁹

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Sources

1. European Union: Malta Country Profile
2. Malta Enterprise: Variable Costs
3. Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA): About Us
4. KPMG Malta: Company Formation in Malta
5. Malta Invest: Business Incorporation
6. Government of Malta: Brexit Factsheet
7. Identità: Single Permit Eligibility
8. CSB Group: Starting a Business in Malta
9. Malta Business Registry (MBR): Formation and Registration
10. Ltd Malta: How to Register a Limited Company in Malta
11. MBR: Fee Structure
12. MBR: Annual Filings
13. Privacy Solutions: Malta Company Formation Fees
14. PwC Tax Summaries: Malta Withholding Taxes
15. PwC Tax Summaries: Malta Income Determination
16. Jobsplus: Company Records
17. Empleo: Employee A-Z Leave Entitlement
18. IRD Services Online Tax Practitioners

Sources last checked: 15/06/26