We provide comprehensive corporate services in Malta, backed by over 20 years of professional experience. Clients are supported throughout the full business lifecycle – from selecting the appropriate tax structure and establishing a Maltese company, to ongoing management and compliance. Assistance is also available when change is required, including restructuring arrangements or managing the orderly liquidation and winding up of a company in Malta.
Our Expertise Includes:
Company registration in Malta covers the incorporation of a wide range of legal entities, including private limited liability companies (Ltd), public limited companies, branches of foreign companies, partnerships, and foundations. Each structure offers different legal, tax, and operational characteristics, allowing flexibility depending on the nature of the business activity, investor requirements, and long-term objectives. Malta’s regulatory framework provides a well-established and EU-compliant environment for both local and international structuring, supported by a comprehensive corporate services system.
We assist throughout the entire incorporation process, from the initial setup to ongoing corporate administration.
It’s no secret that opening a business bank account in Malta can be challenging – that’s exactly where we step in.
While there is no explicit legal requirement under the Companies Act for a Maltese company to hold a local bank account, in practice, regulators and tax authorities generally expect businesses to maintain one. Having a Maltese account helps demonstrate substance and shows that the company is genuinely set up to operate locally.
Local banks typically work closely with authorised Company Service Providers (CSPs) when onboarding new business clients. At Griffiths + Associates, we understand what banks are looking for and guide you every step of the way.
If you’re setting up a new company, we’ll help you navigate the requirements and avoid unnecessary delays.
We take care of the entire process for you, including:
- Explaining what each bank expects and how to prepare for the account opening process
- Arranging and coordinating your meeting with bank representatives
- Handling all required documentation and assisting you throughout the due diligence process to strengthen your application.
We’re here to support you at every stage, ensuring the process remains clear and manageable.
Under the Maltese Companies Act (1995), every company registered in Malta is required to have a registered office address in Malta. This is the official address of the company, where statutory records are kept and where all formal correspondence and legal notices are delivered.
In some cases, clients may provide their own Malta-based address, subject to written authorisation from the property owner confirming that the address can be used as the company’s registered office.
! Important
A common misconception is that a registered office in Malta can be provided by any Certified Public Accountant. This is not the case. Registered office services can only be provided by locally authorised Company Service Providers (CSPs) – for example, accounting or law firms that are properly licensed by the MFSA (Malta Financial Services Authority) to offer corporate services in Malta.
At Griffiths + Associates, we provide our premises as your registered office, giving you a reliable and compliant base from the outset.
This service is generally not required if the beneficial owner of the company is resident in Malta. In any case, Maltese law does not impose residency requirements on directors, company secretaries, or shareholders. As such, nominee director services are optional.
However, nominee directorship, together with secretarial services, can be beneficial for several reasons:
- substance: they help demonstrate a real presence in Malta, which is relevant for both tax and operational purposes.
- local expertise: if you’re not familiar with Maltese corporate governance, having a local director helps ensure proper handling of regulatory and compliance matters.
- obtaining a valid Maltese VAT number.
Depending on the company’s needs and structure, Griffiths + Associates can provide directorship services in Malta through either a corporate director (via our licensed corporate entity) or an individual director provided by the same.
In line with our CSP licence requirements, the appointed director is expected to remain actively involved in the ongoing business of the company and to ensure its operations comply with Maltese laws and regulations. This responsibility includes, among other duties, attending regular board meetings, overseeing company operations, authorising payments from the company’s bank account as required, and reviewing and executing contracts.
As mentioned above, Maltese law does not impose residency requirements on directors, company secretaries, or shareholders, and any individual may act as a company secretary. As such, this service is optional.
While the role is primarily administrative in nature, it plays an important part in maintaining proper corporate governance and ensuring that the company remains compliant with Maltese law and regulatory requirements.
It is a common misconception that company redomiciliation is only relevant for “old” or long-established businesses. While preserving legal identity, history, and contractual relationships is a key advantage, redomiciliation is widely used for a variety of strategic reasons beyond legacy considerations.
Company redomiciliation offers a practical and efficient alternative to setting up a new company from scratch. Instead of repeating the entire incorporation process, businesses can relocate their existing company to Malta while maintaining the same legal entity, along with its operational history and contractual obligations.
This ensures a smooth transition, allowing the company to continue its activities without disruption, while benefiting from Malta’s business-friendly and EU-compliant environment.
! Important Considerations
Not all jurisdictions permit company redomiciliation. In some cases, it is not allowed at all, while in others it may be subject to limitations – for example, allowing companies to relocate into the jurisdiction but not out of it. For this reason, careful planning is essential before initiating the process, as the feasibility of redomiciliation depends on both the originating and the destination jurisdiction.
Corporate mergers, acquisitions, and divisions are not merely legal transactions; they are fundamentally shaped by tax structuring. While tax is not the entire picture, it undeniably forms a key foundation. In practice, effective tax structuring underpins a transaction, ensuring it is both legally robust and commercially sound.
Tax advisory is central to our practice. Our Managing & Tax Director, Peter J. Griffiths, brings over 20 years of international experience in taxation, with a particular focus on mergers and corporate divisions in Malta. We provide structured support across the full transaction lifecycle, from initial strategy and lead advisory through to execution and post-close integration.
Need our assistance with Corporate Services in Malta?
❯ Our industry experts assist in the setting up of companies at any industries: investments, iGaming, maritime, aviation, pharmaceutical industry, medical cannabis, crypto currencies, tourism, manufacturing, insurance.
❯ Full array of corporate services in Malta includes the setting up of companies, trusts and foundations, redomiciliation of companies, local and cross border mergers and acquisitions, directorship and company secretarial services, opening of bank accounts, annual returns.
❯ Corporate Services in Malta also involves corporate tax advisory which is essential and takes into consideration taxation. Vitally important that a holistic view is taken when thinking of setting up a company that takes into consideration compliance, taxation, corporate finance, corporate office administration, and legal matters. Our tax experts take such comprehensive approach to ensure that the company remains in good standing and maintains good corporate governance.
- Tax structuring: our tailored and fully customizable tax solutions are available to local and international clients. We assist clients to choose the legal structure on which to build, grow or restructure a business as it will determine the manner in which the business is taxed and impact tax liabilities as a shareholder.
- We assist clients to benefit from Malta’s full imputation and refundable tax credit system and double taxation relief with a view to achieving an optimal Malta tax exposure.
- Our tax advisory’s experience ranges corporate and personal tax, property tax, Malta VAT rate, stamp duty, customs and excise duty, international tax, employee tax, e-commerce tax, energy tax, trusts and estate planning, investment funds tax and tax disputes.
