Company Incorporation Malta

Company formation in Malta, which trades online as Company Incorporation Malta, is a specialist incorporation service run from 152 Naxxar Road in San Ġwann, a busy town in the north-east of the island close to Sliema and St Julian's. It registers Maltese companies for foreign investors and then keeps them running with a registered address, accounting, tax compliance and related services. Its headline offer is company formation from €750, with state fees and the provider's own fee applying.

It is part of the Ciantar Associates group of accountants, auditors and business consultants. On VisitMalta.co.uk it appears under corporate services in Malta, and it will suit a British founder or investor who wants a Maltese limited company without a long search for advisers.

Who is behind the service

Ciantar Associates was established in 1985 and is mainly an accounting and audit practice, with more than 30 years of experience helping foreign investors, whether individuals or companies, to start or expand operations in Malta. The name covers a group of companies: SADA Services Ltd, a licensed accountancy and audit firm, and CRV International Ltd, a licensed fiduciary company authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). CRV International was registered in 1995 and operates from the same San Ġwann address.

The team is led by Simon Ciantar, a qualified accountant and registered auditor who is CEO of Ciantar Associates, has been with the business for more than twelve years and speaks English and Italian fluently. He belongs to several professional bodies, including the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners, STEP (a global association for family inheritance and succession planning), the Malta-Italian Chamber of Commerce and AGN International, a network of independent accountancy and advisory firms. Clients are treated more like partners than customers, and the mission is to deliver personalised service to each of them, whether they are private individuals or established companies planning to expand into Malta.

Company types and who can use them

Most clients, over 90 per cent, choose a private limited liability company, where a shareholder's liability is limited to the share capital. Limited partnerships and general partnerships are also available, as are holding companies for managing shares and tax benefits, special purpose vehicles for projects or assets, and foundations and trusts for estate and succession planning. A public company is the other main form for foreigners, and the service also explains branches, subsidiaries, liaison offices and joint stock companies.

Foreign ownership is allowed with no minimum or maximum, and directors do not have to be resident in Malta. A private company needs at least two shareholders, though a single-member company is possible, plus one director, a company secretary and a registered office. The minimum share capital for a private company is €1,165, of which at least 20 per cent must be paid up on registration, which in practice is commonly 1,200 shares of €1 each with €240 paid in. A public company has a much higher minimum, with at least 25 per cent deposited at incorporation.

A branch, a subsidiary and a liaison office suit different aims. A branch carries on the parent company's activities and is taxed in Malta. A subsidiary is a separate Maltese company that can be wholly foreign owned. A liaison office is a representative presence for communication, market research and promoting the parent's interests. Our guide to Malta's financial services sector and iGaming guide explain two industries that regularly use these structures.

Costs as printed in 2026

Pricing is unusually open for this market. Incorporation of a simple structure costs €750, assistance with opening a bank account costs €750, and an application for a VAT number costs €350. The minimum share capital is a deposit rather than an expense.

Annual running costs are set out in a table of figures covering the annual registration fee, use of the registered address, a minimum audit fee for a non-trading company with no assets (indicative, with the final fee set case by case), tax compliance and an annual compliance fee. Because Maltese law requires every company to file annual returns and accounts, these recurring items are worth budgeting for from the start. Bookkeeping and VAT compliance are charged at an hourly rate. A business licence or permit may be needed depending on your activity, and some fees fall to the Malta Business Registry rather than the provider, so ask for a detailed quote before you instruct anyone.

The step-by-step process

The incorporation procedure runs in eight steps, and a limited company is typically ready in one to two weeks. First comes due diligence, because Malta takes it seriously: expect to provide a certified passport copy, another form of identification, a utility bill, a professional reference letter, personal bank statements, your CV, last year's tax return and a questionnaire on the ultimate beneficial owner.

Next the business name is checked as unique with the Malta Business Registry, and you complete a company profile form covering activities, directors, secretary, shareholders, registered address and contact details. The share capital is then deposited, with help given even before you hold a bank account. The team checks the application, original documents are posted to the Maltese office, and the filing is made with the Registry together with the memorandum and articles of association. The final step is approval, the certificate of registration and, where relevant, a VAT registration certificate.

Because the paperwork travels by post, you do not have to be in Malta, and the team handles the dealings with the Registry on your behalf. Allow extra time if documents need certifying in your home country. If you are moving as well, our Malta relocation guide and digital nomad guide cover the personal side.

Tax, banking and running the company

Malta's headline corporate tax rate is 35 per cent. A foreign shareholder can usually claim a refund of up to six sevenths of the tax paid on trading profits, which brings the effective rate to around 5 per cent in the right circumstances, though the provider is clear that this is not automatic and depends on the company, the type of income and the shareholder's eligibility. Malta applies no withholding tax on dividends paid to non-residents. A company run from abroad must still declare its income at home and observe the relevant double taxation agreement. For UK context, see our guide to Malta tax for UK nationals and our overview of Malta's corporate tax structure, then take professional advice.

The wider service list from Ciantar Associates covers company formation, bank loan facilities, human resources and payroll, management cost controls, auditing, tax consultancy, fiduciary and nominee services, company liquidation, accounting, and legal services through affiliates. For a larger multidisciplinary alternative, see our featured partner CLA Malta. Another local practice listed with us is A4 Services Limited.

Contact and how to begin

The office is at 152 Naxxar Road, San Ġwann, and the team arranges appointments on request, so you can ask for a call or a meeting once you have an outline of what you want to build. Opening hours are not published on the website. Prices above are as printed on the site and may change, so request a current quote. Visitors planning to meet in the capital can also read our Valletta guide, where office space is a common choice for Maltese companies.

To start, describe the company you have in mind through the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the team, who will reply to you directly.