Malta company formation is increasingly becoming the choice of entrepreneurs looking for opportunities to enter the EU market. Malta is an attractive choice due to its stable and reliable legal system and low taxes. Setup a company in Malta can also be done by non-residents by going through the registration process completely remotely. Governed by the Companies Act, company registrations in Malta are administered by the official Registrar of Companies Malta under the Malta Business Registry. Hereinafter, we will answer how to register a trading company in Malta.
Before start business in Malta, you should choose a legal structure. There are several legal structures available within the Malta register for companies, including:
Private Limited Company (Ltd)
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The most popular choice for small and medium-sized enterprises.
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May have 1 to 50 shareholders.
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Minimum share capital: €1,165 (of which at least €245 must be paid upon registration).
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Shares are privately held and not publicly traded.
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At least one director and one company secretary are required (they do not have to be Malta residents).
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This is the go-to option for foreign investors due to its simplicity, limited liability, and favorable tax treatment.
Costs and Packages:
Price of a Company Formation in Malta
Name of the service
Start
Lite
Business🔥
Pro
Company registration, including state duty
✅
✅
✅
✅
Share certificate
✅
✅
✅
✅
Initial AML Compliance and Verification
✅
✅
✅
✅
Legal address for 1 year
✅
✅
✅
✅
Contribution of the minimum amount of authorized capital
✅
✅
✅
✅
VAT number
✅
✅
✅
✅
Appointment of a VAT Representative
✅
✅
✅
✅
2-hour consultation on your registered company’s operations
❌
✅
✅
✅
Company secretary for 1 year
❌
✅
✅
✅
Appointment of a Tax Representative
❌
❌
✅
✅
Confirmation of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO)
❌
✅
✅
✅
Tax number
❌
❌
✅
✅
Corporate account
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❌
✅
✅
Shareholders’ Agreement
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❌
❌
✅
Consultation on EU VAT and Taxation in Malta
❌
❌
❌
✅
Total cost
4135 EUR
3460 EUR
5435 EUR
4460 EUR
5660 EUR
4710 EUR
7385 EUR
5960 EUR
*The offer is valid until 2026-03-31
Getting Started with Company Registration in Malta
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The process of company registration in Malta begins with the assessment of the most appropriate legal form for the proposed business activity. In the majority of cases involving foreign investors, the preferred vehicle is a private limited liability company (Ltd), as it offers a well-established corporate structure, limited liability protection, and operational flexibility within the Maltese legal framework.
Once the appropriate legal form has been determined, the corporate structure of the entity must be established. This includes the appointment of shareholders, directors, a company secretary, and the designation of a registered office in Malta. At this stage, the proposed company name must also be reviewed and cleared through the Malta Business Registry in order to confirm its availability and compliance with the applicable statutory and administrative requirements.
Prior to incorporation, the competent authority will require the submission of know-your-client (KYC) and due diligence documentation in respect of the persons involved in the company. As a general rule, this documentation includes passport copies of the shareholders, directors, and company secretary; proof of residential address dated within the previous three months; curriculum vitae of the principal persons involved; information and supporting explanation regarding the source of funds; a chart reflecting the ownership and control structure; and a declaration identifying the ultimate beneficial owner. Depending on the circumstances of the case, additional supporting documents, including bank or professional references, may also be requested. In most instances, these preparatory formalities may be completed remotely.
Following the completion of the due diligence stage, the incorporation documents are prepared for filing. These typically include the Memorandum and Articles of Association, together with the relevant identification and supporting compliance documentation. The incorporation pack is then submitted to the Registrar of Companies in Malta, accompanied by the prescribed registration fee.
Upon registration, the company is issued with a Certificate of Incorporation and an official company registration number. A tax identification number is subsequently assigned for fiscal purposes. Once the incorporation process has been completed, the company may proceed with the opening of a corporate bank account and commence operations, subject to any licensing, regulatory, or sector-specific requirements that may apply to its intended activities.
How to open a bank account in Malta?
Banks will require full KYC, company documents, proof of business activity, and in some cases — video identification or physical presence.
Typically the process is fully online if conducted via licensed professionals. After the official registration in the Maltese company register must publish basic company data, which allows for tracking recently incorporated companies in Malta.
Things to Know Before Registering Your Company in Malta
Before you setup company in Malta, consider the tax residency implications. A company is deemed tax-resident if management and control are exercised in Malta.
All companies must have a registered address in Malta and appoint a company secretary. Annual financial statements are mandatory, along with an audit (even for inactive entities), unless exempted.
There are also ongoing costs for legal compliance, accounting, registered office, and government filings.
Why is company registration in Malta so popular today?
Company registration in Malta is increasingly becoming the choice of entrepreneurs due to moderate taxes and fees, an effective and really working legal system, the ability to maintain documentation in English and the general spread of the English language and of course membership in the EU. Thanks to these features, Malta attracts more and more entrepreneurs every year.
Tax Information for a Malta Company Registration
The general tax rate is 35%, but Malta offers a tax refund mechanism for non-resident shareholders. In particular, non-resident shareholders can refund up to 6/7 of the taxes paid on profit distribution. This mechanism allows to significantly reduce the effective tax rate and makes Malta one of the most attractive jurisdictions.
Companies providing taxable goods or services must register for VAT and VIES. The standard VAT rate is 18%, and quarterly and annual returns must be filed.
When to register for VAT and VIES in Malta, and how to file reports?
VAT registration is mandatory once your business has taxable turnover. After registration, companies must file VAT returns quarterly and EC Sales Lists via the Malta register.
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