Introduction in Malta

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Starting a Business in Malta

“Malta’s business legislation and tax systems are considered amongst the most favourable in Europe and this is supported by its strategic location straddling the busiest shipping lanes in the Mediterranean. Malta has a strong financial services sector, and a thriving on-line gaming industry. Ongoing strategies include specific targeting of knowledge economy sectors including financial services, information technology companies, research and development, and high end manufacturing.” UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office; 2012 We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! Following its accession to the European Union in 2007, Malta has weathered the global economic downturn - maintaining A or A+ status in the major economy indexes. Historically, Malta has always boasted low employment, and its multi- lingual labour-force is characteristically productive. Needless to say, the weather's quite appealing too.

Taxation

With one of the lowest effective corporate tax rates in the EU – 0-5% and low personal income tax rates, Malta is positioning itself as being a premier financial & business centre.

Business Start – Up Facts

No license or permits are needed for non – regulated business activities. Regulated activities would cover financial or insurance services, or normally regulated professions – for example medical or pharmaceutical activities. By far the most common vehicle for both trading and holding companies is the limited company ‘Ltd’. As the Malta Company Act is based on the UK Companies Act – the requirements for incorporation and maintenance are mostly the same as those in the UK. Sole traders & partnerships are also common. As a full member of the EU, no residency permits are required for EU citizenships. For non EU citizens, there are a number of residency options available.

Economic Facts

• Standard & Poor 2012 Rating: long-term sovereign credit A-; short term rating A-2.
• Moody, Sept 2012 Government Bond Rating: A3
• Fitch:, Sept 2012 Short-term IDR at 'F1' and Country Ceiling at 'AAA
• GDP €6.4 billion
• GDP Growth 2.9%
• GDP per Capita €15,300
• Inflation rate 1.5%
• 12th soundest banking system & 15th position in Financial Market Development (World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2011 – 2012)
• Single financial services regulatory body; MFSA

Legal System

Mixed common & civil law system – corporate, commercial & trusts laws based upon UK statutes

Currency

Euro - please use the currency converter located on the site.

Language

Maltese & English are co-official national languages.

Climate

Typically Mediterranean: hot, dry summers; warm, occasionally wet autumns; short, cooler winters.

Temperatures are seasonally consistent, and average around 18 degrees centigrade.

Time Difference

GMT+1 hour.

Flight times UK - 3; Frankfurt - 2, Dubai - 7

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