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Corporate Services
Corporate Law Services in Malta Across the Business Lifecycle
Support throughout the business lifecycle, from incorporation and governance to transactions, compliance, restructuring, and closure.
Areas of support include
- Company Formation & Registration
- Starting a Business in Malta
- Company Changes
Initial enquiry
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Submission does not confirm acceptance, representation or engagement.
At a glance
End-to-End Corporate Legal Architecture
Corporate services in Malta encompass company formation (Private Ltd and Plc), Memorandum and Articles of Association drafting, corporate governance, shareholder agreements, share transfers, capital restructurings, MBR statutory filings, and liquidations under the Companies Act (Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta).
Reviewed by Dr Josianne Cardona Gatt, Advocate (Malta)Last reviewed
Key takeaways
- Fast and compliant company registration with the Malta Business Registry (MBR).
- Drafting robust shareholder agreements and tailored Articles of Association.
- Full corporate lifecycle support: incorporation, maintenance, re-domiciliation, and winding up.
- Ongoing governance ensuring compliance with Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) rules.
- Company secretarial services: annual returns, statutory filings, corporate records and resolutions.
Corporate and Commercial Perspective
Support aligned with the business lifecycle.
Establishing and managing a corporate structure in Malta requires meticulous adherence to Chapter 386 of the Laws of Malta (the Companies Act) and MBR guidelines. The practice advises founders, directors, and corporate groups on structuring their entities effectively.
From initial constitutional documents to ongoing annual filings, company secretarial services, and cross-border restructuring, counsel is focused on legal precision, risk mitigation, and commercial continuity.
What’s included
Company formation and corporate support in Malta
From registering a new company to changes, compliance, restructuring and closure. Select an area to see what it covers.
Company Formation & Registration
- Company incorporation in Malta
- Malta Business Registry company registration
- Private limited company formation
- Public company formation where applicable
- Partnership formation
- Overseas branch registration
- Company name reservation
- Preparation of incorporation documentation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Shareholder structure
- Director appointment
- Company secretary appointment
- Registered office arrangements
- Beneficial-owner documentation
- Initial corporate compliance
Starting a Business in Malta
- Legal advice before opening a business
- Choice of business structure
- Company versus self-employment considerations
- Business registration
- Corporate setup
- Regulatory checks before trading
- Business-licence assessment
- Assistance with startup documentation
- Coordination with the relevant authorities
- Support for foreign entrepreneurs establishing in Malta
Company Changes
- Change of directors
- Change of company secretary
- Change of registered office
- Share transfers
- New shareholders
- Changes in ownership
- Beneficial-owner changes
- Capital changes
- Amendments to the Memorandum and Articles
Corporate Governance
- Director duties
- Shareholder rights
- Board resolutions
- Corporate resolutions
- Governance policies
- Shareholder disputes
- Corporate decision-making
- Corporate records
Corporate Secretarial & Statutory Compliance
- Annual returns
- Beneficial-owner confirmations
- Statutory filings
- Maintenance of corporate records
- Corporate resolutions
- Compliance calendars
- Malta Business Registry correspondence
Corporate Restructuring
- Corporate restructuring
- Group restructuring
- Shareholder restructuring
- Mergers and acquisitions support
- Business transfers
- Sale or acquisition of companies
- Corporate due diligence
Business Closure
- Company dissolution
- Voluntary closure
- Strike-off advice
- Liquidation-related legal support
- Closing statutory obligations
International Businesses
- International corporate structuring
- Foreign companies entering Malta
- Malta branches
- Cross-border ownership structures
- Business relocation to Malta
Reference
Malta Corporate Vehicles Overview (Companies Act Cap. 386)
| Structure Type | Min. Share Capital | Min. Officers | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Ltd Company | €1,164.69 (20% paid up) | 1 Director, 1 Secretary | Commercial trading, holding entities, tech startups |
| Public Limited Company (Plc) | €46,587.47 (25% paid up) | 2 Directors, 1 Secretary | Public capital raising, major debt/equity offerings |
| Overseas Branch | N/A (Parent Capital) | 1 Local Representative | Foreign enterprise operating directly in Malta |
| Partnership en commandite | Determined by deed | 1 General Partner | Tax-transparent collective investment or venture structures |
Structured Corporate Engagement
Structure Evaluation
Reviewing commercial objectives, ownership configuration, and regulatory requisites under Maltese law.
Document Preparation
Drafting Memorandum & Articles, shareholder pacts, board minutes, and statutory forms.
Regulatory Submission
Liaising with the Malta Business Registry (MBR) and tax authorities for formal registration.
Ongoing Maintenance
Providing ongoing counsel for annual statutory returns, officer changes, and corporate governance.
Client Profile
Who We Assist
- International holding and trading companies
- Tech, gaming, and financial entrepreneurs
- Family-owned enterprises and SMEs in Malta
- Foreign corporations establishing Maltese subsidiaries
- Directors requiring independent governance counsel
Common questions
Corporate Services in Malta: common questions
Short answers about this service and how enquiries are handled. For advice on your own circumstances, contact the practice.
Do you provide company secretarial services in Malta?
Yes. The practice supports Maltese companies with corporate secretarial and statutory compliance work: preparing and filing annual returns, beneficial-owner confirmations and other statutory filings with the Malta Business Registry, maintaining corporate records, drafting corporate resolutions, and keeping a compliance calendar so filing dates are not missed.
What is the minimum share capital required to register a private company in Malta?
Under the Companies Act (Cap. 386), the minimum authorized and issued share capital for a private limited liability company is €1,164.69, of which at least 20% (€232.94) must be deposited into a bank account prior to registration.
Can a foreign national be a director or shareholder of a Maltese company?
Yes. There are no statutory nationality or local residency restrictions on directors or shareholders under Maltese corporate law. Corporate directors are permitted, subject to specific regulatory conditions.
How long does it take to incorporate a company in Malta?
Once all required Customer Due Diligence (CDD), signed Memorandum & Articles, and bank deposit confirmations are submitted, the Malta Business Registry typically registers the company within 24 to 48 business hours.
Can a foreign company migrate its registered office to Malta without dissolving?
Yes. Malta's Continuation of Companies Regulations allow foreign entities from approved jurisdictions to seamlessly re-domicile into Malta, preserving their existing legal identity, contracts, and operating history.
Official sources
Maltese authorities and sources
Published 15 January 2024 · Updated 15 August 2024 · Reviewed by Dr Josianne Cardona Gatt
- Malta Business Registry (MBR)(opens in a new tab)
MBR Malta
Official registrar of companies, partnerships, and beneficial owners in Malta.
- Legislation Malta - Companies Act(opens in a new tab)
State of Malta
Chapter 386 of the Laws of Malta governing all corporate entities.
- Commissioner for Revenue (CfR)(opens in a new tab)
Ministry for Finance
Direct and indirect tax administration for corporate entities.
Insights
Corporate Services in Malta: legal insights
- Corporate Law8 Sept 2026Redomiciliation and Cross-Border Mergers in Malta: A Legal Guide for Corporate GroupsRead article
- Corporate Law4 Sept 2026Navigating Corporate Compliance and Regulatory Filings in Malta (2026 Guide)Read article
- Corporate Law15 Jul 2024Choosing the Right Corporate Structure in Malta: A Comprehensive Legal GuideRead article
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Contact the practice to discuss company incorporation, restructuring, shareholder governance, or MBR compliance in Malta.
