About this book:

Doing Business in Malta is your complete roadmap to launching, growing, and thriving in one of Europe’s most dynamic micro‑economies. From the very first chapter you’ll gain a clear picture of Malta’s strategic location, its resilient service‑driven economy, and the key sectors that power growth—tourism, financial services, iGaming, maritime, aviation, manufacturing, and a fast‑expanding digital landscape. The book walks you through each step of setting up a company, explaining entity types, share capital requirements, the memorandum and articles of association, and the practicalities of registration with the Malta Business Registry, so you can move from idea to incorporated entity with confidence.

Understanding the fiscal and legal environment is essential, and this guide demystifies Malta’s hybrid civil‑common law system, EU‑aligned regulations, and the distinctive full imputation tax system that can reduce effective corporate tax rates to as low as 0% through refund mechanisms. You’ll learn how to navigate VAT, compliance with Anti‑Money Laundering rules, transfer pricing, and the extensive network of double‑taxation treaties, while also discovering the wealth of incentives, grants, and support schemes administered by Malta Enterprise—from R&D tax credits and the MicroInvest scheme to start‑up financing, skills development, and green‑economy grants that can significantly lower your setup and expansion costs.

Beyond formation and finance, the book equips you with the human and operational know‑you need to succeed. Chapters on Maltese labour law clarify employment contracts, working hours, leave entitlements, and the procedures for hiring both EU and third‑country nationals, while the property section guides you through buying or leasing commercial and residential space, including the nuances of planning permits, AIP requirements, and registration with the Housing Authority. You’ll also find detailed advice on import/export customs procedures, intellectual property protection, and the specialized regulatory frameworks that govern Malta’s world‑leading iGaming, financial services, maritime, and aviation sectors, ensuring you can operate compliantly and take advantage of sector‑specific opportunities.

Finally, Doing Business in Malta prepares you for the realities of life and work on the islands. You’ll explore Maltese business culture and etiquette, learn how to build effective networks through chambers, associations, and government relations, and discover practical steps for relocating staff and families—visas, schooling, housing, banking, and daily living. The guide also covers marketing strategies tailored to the Maltese market, routes for raising capital through banks, the Malta Development Bank, equity markets, and fintech, as well as pathways for growth, exit, and succession planning. With insights into emerging trends such as AI, blockchain, sustainable finance, and the blue economy, this book doesn’t just tell you how to start a business in Malta—it shows you how to sustain and expand it for the long term.