Register a company in Malta

, the 35% that nets to five.

Set up a Maltese Ltd: full EU membership with English as an official language, the imputation system that refunds most of the 35% headline down to an effective 5% on trading profits, zero withholding on dividends out, and licenses (gaming, fintech, maritime) the industry actually respects. The other half of the story: the refund is real money that arrives after real waiting; banks have been slow and thorough since the greylist era; substance expectations are genuine; and large groups now meet the 15% global minimum.

27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
6,000+
companies servedcompanies served

Updated

Malta · at a glance
Legal formLtd via the MBR
Time to set up1-2 weeks
Corporate tax35% → effective 5% via refunds
VAT18%
Dividends out0% withholding
StatusEU member · English official
Elena Sibanova
Elena Sibanova
Your Malta specialist
in
4.7
★★★★★
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Malta in brief

How 35% becomes five.

Malta built its niche on a mechanism, not a myth. Companies pay the full 35% on profits, and when those profits are distributed, shareholders claim back six-sevenths of the tax, netting an effective 5% on trading income through a two-tier structure your accountant runs on rails. Around that engine sits a genuinely useful platform: EU membership with every passporting right that brings, English as an official language of law and business, zero withholding on outbound dividends, a participation exemption for holdings, and license regimes (the MGA in gaming, the MFSA in finance, one of the world's great ship registries) that industries treat as the credible European home.

The terms. The refund is a cash-flow event, not a bookkeeping trick: you pay 35% upfront, and the remaining 2/7 come back after filings and processing; weeks to months of your working capital must be carried. That is why an elective flat tax now exists as the simpler alternative for those who prefer paying five-ish once over paying thirty-five and reclaiming. The greylist episode ended in 2022, and its legacy is a compliance culture that makes banks slow, thorough, and allergic to paper constructions: substance, real management, and clean files are the entry ticket, not decoration. Large multinational groups now meet the EU's 15% minimum regardless of refunds. And the golden-passport era ended in court in 2025; residency programs continue, citizenship-by-investment does not. Malta rewards the properly structured, which has always been our favorite kind of jurisdiction.

Packages & pricing

Two ways to start.

01 - LTD · MALTA

Company

from€2,600EUR · registration

Registration of a Maltese Ltd: MBR incorporation, tax registrations and the first year of the registered office.

✓Structure triage first - refund route vs elective flat tax✓MBR incorporation with memorandum & articles✓Tax and VAT registrations✓Registered address - from €1,800 a year, billed separately✓Substance roadmap - what Malta actually expects✓Free pre-incorporation consultation

Optional add-ons: two-tier refund structure (holding + trading) from $1,900, MGA / MFSA licensing scoped per case, residency (MPRP) support from $3,500, accounting from $350/month, renewal from $1,800/year.

Start with a consultation →
02 - LTD + BANK · MALTA
Most popular

Company + Bank Account

from€4,500EUR · registration + account

Everything in the first package, plus a bank or EMI account. We prepare the file, submit it and defend it, with post-greylist realities stated up front.

✓Everything in the Company package✓Bank file: business plan, source of funds, substance evidence✓Account with Maltese banks or EU EMIs - routed by profile✓EUR + multi-currency structure✓Payroll & social-security registrations✓Refund-mechanics walkthrough - timing, cash-flow, filings

Optional add-ons: two-tier structure from $1,900, licensing scoped, accounting from $350/month, renewal from $1,800/year.

Start with a consultation →
Prices are starting points, confirmed before any work begins. MBR fees and share capital are itemised in your quote.
What you can do

What our clients open in Malta.

The licenses anchor industries; the refund engine serves trade; the flag serves fleets.

Holding & IP structureslicensed

Participation exemption, 0% dividends out, EU directives.

Fintech & financial serviceslicensed

MFSA regimes from EMIs to funds. Heavy and credible.

Maritime & yachtinglicensed

One of the world's great registries, plus VAT-planned yachting.

Trading structuresstandard

The classic 5%-effective route for international trade.

Residency & relocationstandard

MPRP and ordinary residence. The EU base with English daily life.

iGaming & MGA licensinglicensed

The industry's European home. Licenses counterparties respect.

Why Malta

Key advantages of the jurisdiction.

✓
The refund engine

35% paid, six-sevenths back. Effective 5% on trading profits.

✓
EU with English

Full membership, passporting, and law you can read natively.

✓
0% dividends out

No withholding on distributions. The exit is clean.

✓
Licenses that carry weight

MGA and MFSA names open doors across the industry.

✓
The ship registry

A top-tier flag with real maritime infrastructure behind it.

✓
Post-greylist cleanliness

The strictest files in the Med. Which is now the selling point.

How it compares

Malta vs the alternatives.

Malta sits between straightforward low-tax jurisdictions and more complex EU structures built around specific tax mechanics. Its 35% headline rate looks high at first, but the refund system can bring the effective burden down significantly for qualifying structures. The comparison below shows how Malta stacks up against several common European alternatives as of 2026:

JurisdictionCorporate taxSignature storySignature edge
Malta35% → eff. 5%The refund engineEU + English + licenses
Cyprus12.5%The eastern Med baseSimple rate, wide treaties
Ireland12.5%The multinationals' homeSubstance at scale
Estonia0% until distributionThe deferral modelDigital-first simplicity
Madeira5% zoneThe Atlantic exceptionPortugal's licensed 5%
MaltaEU + English + licenses
Corporate tax35% → eff. 5%
Signature storyThe refund engine
CyprusSimple rate, wide treaties
Corporate tax12.5%
Signature storyThe eastern Med base
IrelandSubstance at scale
Corporate tax12.5%
Signature storyThe multinationals' home
EstoniaDigital-first simplicity
Corporate tax0% until distribution
Signature storyThe deferral model
MadeiraPortugal's licensed 5%
Corporate tax5% zone
Signature storyThe Atlantic exception
Requirements

What a Maltese Ltd requires.

01
One shareholder - Individual or company, any nationality. Two-tier refund structures use a holding above.
02
One director - No statutory residency requirement. But management-and-control substance decides your tax home.
03
Registered office - A Maltese address for MBR and tax mail - included in our packages.
04
Modest capital - €1,165 authorized with 20% paid up. A formality done properly.
05
Company secretary - A qualified secretary is mandatory - included in our packages.
06
Real substance - Board minutes, local decisions, actual files. The post-greylist entry ticket.
How it works

How registration works.

Six steps. The MBR is quick; the choice of structure and the bank are where expertise pays.

01
Free consultation

Refund route vs flat election, licensing needs - mapped first.

Same day
02
Structure & documents

Single Ltd or two-tier, KYC, capital.

2-4 days
03
MBR incorporation

Memorandum, articles, certificate issued.

3-7 days
04
Tax & VAT registrations

Tax number, VAT, PE registrations.

3-7 days
05
Substance setup

Office, secretary, board calendar - documented.

1-2 weeks
06
Bank / EMI account

File prepared and defended. Banks or EU EMIs, routed by profile.

3-6 weeks
Quick facts
Legal formLtd
Headline rate35%
Effective - trading≈5% via refunds
VAT18%
Dividends out0%
Standard timeline1-2 weeks + bank
Renewal & accountingFrom $1,800/year

The refund's cash flow is the catch: 35% leaves first, and six-sevenths returns after filings, weeks to months your treasury must bridge. We model the timing, or route you to the elective flat tax when simpler genuinely beats cheaper.

On the ground

On the ground in Malta.

Prifinance - Malta
Valletta
Valletta, Malta
✆+44 748 881 18 54✉info.en@prifinance.com
◷Mon-Fri · replies within one business day
01
Mediterranean specialists

Your setup runs with Valletta counsel who file MBR and tax work weekly.

02
Refund mechanics mastered

Two-tier structures and refund filings that arrive when promised.

03
Licence-grade files

MGA and MFSA applications built to the regulator's actual standard.

04
Also in Tallinn, London, Dubai & more

A network of offices supporting cross-border structures.

We also have offices in
Estonia
Tallinn
Estonia
Väike-Paala tn 1
+372 602 65 11
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
5/F, Yau Lee Centre, 45 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
+852 5808 0297
Lithuania
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
+370 520 738 81
United Kingdom
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
+44 748 881 18 54
Czech Republic
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Germany
Berlin
Germany
Rankestraße 26
Portugal
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
+351 300 528 936
Hungary
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
+36 18 001 911
Türkiye
Istanbul
Türkiye
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
+90 212 900 47 64
UAE
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
+971 800 0321096
Canada
Toronto
Canada
1110 Finch Avenue West, suite 406
+1 416 613 7311
Singapore
Singapore
Singapore
3 Church Street, #29-68 Samsung Hub
Thailand
Bangkok
Thailand
Unit P01, Penthouse, VASU1, 1 Sukhumvit 25 Alley
China
Foshan
China
A-Tower, Yuneng Digital Plaza, 46 Lishui Avenue South
Kazakhstan
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Republic Square 13
+7 717 269 59 04
Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
32 Razzakov Street
Taxation

Maltese taxes, refund and all.

One engine, two ways to run it: the classic pay-and-refund route netting near 5%, or the newer elective flat tax for those who prefer simplicity to the last decimal. Large groups meet the 15% minimum regardless, and everyone meets the substance bar.

Headline - 35%

Paid in full first. The system's front door, paid first.

Refund - 6/7ths

Trading profits net to ≈5%; passive income routes to ≈10%.

VAT - 18%

EU-standard, OSS-ready for digital sellers.

Pillar Two - 15%

The global minimum reaches large multinational groups.

The levies that matter
Corporate - headline35%
Effective - trading (refund route)≈5%
Effective - passive≈10%
VAT18%
Dividends / interest / royalties out0%
Renewal & accountingFrom $1,800/year

Owners remain responsible for tax where they live, and CFC rules in many countries closely scrutinize 5% structures without substance. Ours are built with it.

Your team

The specialists who'll handle your case.

Dmitri Mihhailov
Dmitri Mihhailov
Managing Partner

Leads Prifinance and personally oversees complex multi-jurisdiction structures. Your Maltese setup gets partner-level review before anything is filed.

Eugeniu Bevziuc
Eugeniu Bevziuc
International Business Consultant

Walks you from first call to working company - structure, documents, timelines - in plain language, in five languages.

Alex Danila
Alex Danila
Corporate Services Specialist

Handles MBR filings, tax registrations and the bank file day to day, so your Maltese company launches without delays.

Follow Prifinance

Active across our channels.

The refund engine, run properly: company, structure, substance and bank in one prepared project. Full support, start to finish.

Talk to a specialist →
FAQ

What people ask about the refund.

Can I open a Maltese company without visiting?+

Yes. The MBR incorporates by power of attorney and the registrations follow remotely. Banks and license regulators appreciate meeting people, so most clients pair one visit with the account or application. We sequence everything so the trip is short.

How does the 5% actually work?+

Mechanically: the trading company pays 35% on profits; on distribution, the shareholder (typically a Maltese holding above it) claims a six-sevenths refund, netting roughly 5%. It is statutory, decades old and runs on rails when filed properly. The catch is timing: the refund arrives after filings, not with them.

What is the elective flat tax I've heard about?+

A newer alternative: qualifying companies can elect a final flat rate instead of the pay-and-reclaim cycle, trading cash-flow simplicity against the refund route's marginally better arithmetic. Which wins depends on your margins and patience; we model both before you commit.

Does the 15% global minimum kill the refund?+

For large multinational groups above the Pillar Two thresholds, the minimum applies and the effective rate floors at 15%. For everyone below the thresholds, the classical mechanics continue. We tell you which side of the line you sit on before structuring anything.

How slow are the refunds really?+

In numbers: from a few weeks to a few months after compliant filings, depending on the season and the file's cleanliness. It is working capital you must bridge. We build the calendar into your treasury plan, and flag when the flat election spares you the cycle entirely.

What did the greylist do to Malta?+

The 2021-22 FATF episode forced a genuine cleanup: registers were verified, enforcement was staffed, and banks were hardened. Malta exited in 2022, and the legacy is the strictest compliance culture in the Mediterranean: slower onboarding and a cleaner reputation. For legitimate business, it is now the argument, not the objection.

How hard is banking?+

The bottleneck: local banks are thorough and selective, so timelines run three to six weeks with real substance evidence. Many operating clients pair a Maltese account with an EU EMI for day-to-day rails. We route each case by its file rather than promising what compliance departments won't sign.

Is the golden passport gone?+

Yes. The EU Court of Justice ended citizenship-by-investment in 2025 and Malta closed the program. Residency continues: the MPRP grants permanent residence through investment, and ordinary residence remains open. We advise on what exists, not what used to.

Do I need real substance?+

Yes, and it is the entry ticket rather than gold-plating: local direction, board minutes, a real office and files that show management happening in Malta. Home-country CFC rules and Maltese banks both check. Structures without substance fail quietly and expensively; ours are built with it from day one.

What does it cost and how long does it take?+

Registration starts from €2,600. The registered address (from €1,800 a year) and remote filing (from €400) are billed separately. With an EMI or online bank account, from €4,500. The MBR takes days; substance setup and the bank stretch realistic zero-to-operating to four to eight weeks. Two-tier refund structures from $1,900; licensing scoped per case. Renewal from $1,800/year.

Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★

Founders who wanted it done right.

Google4.7★★★★★
★★★★★Google
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
K N
K N
Google
★★★★★Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Mina Kedis
Mina Kedis
Google
★★★★★Google
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Юрий Валерьевич
Юрий Валерьевич
Google
★★★★★Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Anna Anna
Anna Anna
Google
★★★★★Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Анастасия Одокиенко
Анастасия Одокиенко
Google
★★★★★Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Maria Jose Santome
Maria Jose Santome
Google
More from Prifinance

Other jurisdictions & licenses.

Free consultation

Start your Maltese company today.

Tell us about your business, and a specialist will reply within one business day with a recommendation (refund route, flat election, licence, or a different flag), a timeline and a fixed quote.

✓No obligation; the first consultation is free✓Refund timing and substance modelled up front✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU speaking team
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