FAQ

FAQ: Working in Malta

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) provide you with information about working in Malta.

FAQ: Working in Malta
I am an EU national and am interested in acquiring Maltese residency on the basis of employment. What are my options?

An EU/EEA/Swiss national may apply on this basis either through employment or through the carrying out of a trade or business in Malta. The procedure is quite straightforward, seeing that no work permits are required in this case. Should you be interested in discussing the details of your prospective employment in Malta and how that may grant you Maltese residency, please do not hesitate to contact Liana Falzon, ACT’s partner in charge of residency and citizenship on lfalzon@act.com.mt.

Once I am granted Maltese residency based on my employment, what would my tax liabilities be?

Employment income derived by resident individuals is subject to tax at the standard progressive rates of tax with the exception of income derived by highly qualified persons, where the tax is 15% subject to certain conditions. Different tax rates apply depending on whether you are single, married or a parent. For detailed information about Malta’s tax system, you may refer to the FAQs on personal taxation

How long would the process take and can you act on my behalf during the whole application process?

If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, you are required to be physically present in Malta, both upon submission of the application and upon collection of the residence card. The process is carried out by the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs (DCEA) and usually takes between 4-6 weeks from the date of submission.

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you have two options: we may either start the process on your behalf whilst you’re still abroad. Once the work permit gets approved in principle, you will be required to proceed to Malta for the application of the residence card. Otherwise, you may wish to come to Malta with all the relevant documentation needed and start the process directly with the relevant departments, namely Jobsplus and DCEA.

I am a non-EU national and am interested in acquiring Maltese residency on the basis of employment. What are my options?

In order for a third-country national (TCN) to work in Malta, he/she needs to have an employment license which is only granted if certain criteria are satisfied. One would need to assess the basis on which you would like to present your residency application. For you to apply you have to be employed, self-employed or a shareholder/Ultimate Beneficial Owner of a Malta resident company. For each and every one of these options, there are different documents and application forms that would need to be presented to the relevant authorities. To set the ball rolling and get a more tailor-made reply to your question, kindly email Liana Falzon, ACT’s partner in charge of residency and citizenship on lfalzon@act.com.mt.

How long would my residence card/work permit be valid for?

If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, your residence card will be valid for 5 years (renewable). If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, your single work permit, which is a card comprising of your work permit and your residence permit, is valid for 1 year (renewable).

What requirements would I need to satisfy as an employer interested in employing third country nationals (TCNs)?

As a prospective employer, you would need to provide proof as to your efforts to fill in the post with Maltese/EU nationals, prior to approaching a TCN. This would have to be done as follows:

Vacancy adverts – For every application, you would be required to:

  1. Advertise the job with Jobsplus; and
  2. Advertise the job, at least twice, in the appropriate local media; or
  3. Advertise the job through a Private Recruitment Agency.

There are vacancies that may be exempted from the labor market test and from the vacancy requirements mentioned above.

For more detailed and tailor-made replies about this, kindly email Liana Falzon, ACT’s partner in charge of residency and citizenship on lfalzon@act.com.mt.

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Tassazione delle società a Malta

Le società maltesi sono soggette all’applicazione di un’aliquota d’imposta del 35% sul loro reddito complessivo e sui guadagni in conto capitale. Malta concede vari incentivi fiscali alle società e ai loro azionisti sulla distribuzione dei dividendi.

Setting up a Company in Malta

Setting up a company in Malta is a relatively straight forward procedure and can be set up within 2 working days, provided we are in receipt of all the information, funds and due diligence documentation we need.

Taking up Residence in Malta

Warm climate, friendly people, excellent communication infrastructures, low criminality and many other features of the Maltese islands have made Malta an excellent destination for people to take up residence in.

Remote Gaming in Malta

Malta was the first EU Member State to specifically regulate the remote gaming industry in 2004 and has ever since established itself as one of the prime jurisdictions for remote gaming operators. The Malta Gaming Authority (“MGA”) is the regulatory of gaming in Malta.

Payment Institutions in Malta

Malta has become a destination of choice for the setting up of Payment Institutions (also referred to as Payment Services Providers or PSPs). A number of advantages have contributed to this success, e.g. fiscal incentives granted.

Electronic Money Institutions in Malta

Malta has recently seen an increase in the number of Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) looking to set up their operations in Malta. This has been largely due to the growth in the e-commerce and the i-gaming industries.

Initial Coin Offering (ICO) Services in Malta

Malta has always been on the forefront of technology and innovation. A number of initiatives have been launched, aimed at establishing an innovative and attractive regulatory framework for entities operating in the blockchain industry.

Assistance to Family Businesses in Malta

Malta has recently introduced legislation to encourage good governance in the management of family businesses, to assist family businesses to operate in an efficient way and to assist in the transfer of business from one generation to the other.