Lawyers in Malta

Lawyers in Malta is a legal practice aimed squarely at people who are not from the island: foreign entrepreneurs, investors, property buyers, and families relocating from places like the UK. Its team handles the paperwork for forming a company, registering for tax, buying a home or moving to Malta, and it also acts when things go wrong, in disputes, debt recovery and divorce.

The advertised entry price for company formation is €245, with state fees and the lawyer's or service provider's fee payable in addition, so it is best read as a starting point rather than a final bill. The firm is listed in our directory of lawyers in Malta, and this page explains what it does so that you can send an enquiry with confidence.

Who the firm works with

The lawyers hold a law degree and are registered with the Chamber of Advocates Malta. Its services are designed for individuals, businesses, NGOs and government entities, though the emphasis is plainly on foreign clients who want a local adviser to deal with Maltese authorities on their behalf.

Representation under a power of attorney is part of that approach. Clients who cannot travel can have the lawyers act for them to open a bank account, register a firm or buy a property, which is helpful when you live in the UK and want to avoid repeated trips. The firm also offers a free case evaluation, and aims to get back to you within 24 hours.

Company formation and registration

Company formation is the main service. The lawyers prepare and submit the documents for registration with the Malta Business Registry, the body that keeps the register of Maltese companies. A private limited liability company, the most popular choice for foreign investors, needs minimum share capital of €1,165 and can have a single shareholder. Incorporation typically takes about two weeks, and no residency requirement applies to the founders.

Typical steps include reserving the company name, drafting the statutory documents, depositing the share capital, registering with the Business Registry, obtaining any business licence, and registering for VAT and for employment purposes. Industry licences differ by sector, and some come from regulators rather than the Registry. The firm applies for the permits on the client's behalf.

Beyond a standard limited company, the lawyers help set up holding companies, subsidiaries and branches of foreign parents, partnerships, sole proprietorships, foundations and associations, and they can advise on mergers and acquisitions. A holding company is a way to own shares, property, intellectual property and even personal assets such as yachts or artworks, with a registered office required in Malta. For the tax background, read our explainer on Malta's corporate tax structure and our overview of financial services in Malta.

Taxation matters to most founders, so it helps to know the headline figures before you talk to the lawyers. The standard corporate income tax rate is 35 per cent, and shareholder refunds can lower the effective rate. For a holding company with non-resident shareholders, a six-sevenths refund on dividends brings the effective rate down to 5 per cent. Companies must update beneficial ownership details within 14 days of any change, and annual accounts go to the Malta Business Registry. The lawyers can explain how those rules apply to your own structure.

Foreign companies that want a presence in Malta without sending a director over can open a subsidiary or branch in a few days, with the lawyers dealing with the authorities. The same team can take on a cryptocurrency company incorporation, drawing on current digital currency legislation.

Tax, VAT and accounting

The firm helps companies register for tax and VAT and deal with the Maltese tax authorities, and its pages cover tax planning for business owners and high-net-worth individuals, including wealth management and investment-related consultancy. It also covers Malta's network of double taxation agreements. Accounting itself is not done in-house in the same way: the firm can recommend partner accountants.

For a plain-English picture of how Maltese tax looks to someone coming from Britain, our guide to Malta tax for UK nationals is the best place to begin. If your first need is a combined company, tax and relocation package, you may also wish to compare the services of CLA Malta, our featured adviser.

Intra-EU supplies and reverse charge rules can complicate VAT for companies selling across borders, so it is worth mentioning where your customers are when you enquire. Pure holding companies are generally outside Maltese VAT, while trading businesses providing taxable services or supplies must register.

Property, residency and moving to Malta

Buying a house or commercial unit as a foreigner is another large part of the work. The lawyers check documents so that you know the property is free of disputes, carry out real estate due diligence, review contracts, advise on price negotiation and ownership transfers, and represent buyers in front of the notary when the sale contract is signed.

On immigration, help is available with Schengen, employment, digital nomad, family reunification and study visas, and with residence permits and the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, which can be reached through a property purchase or lease, government contributions and donations. The former citizenship-by-investment routes are no longer open. If a move is on your mind, start with our UK guide to relocating to Malta and, for remote workers, the guide to working in Malta as a digital nomad.

Yacht and boat registration is available too, with help through the whole registration process.

Commercial property is covered alongside residential purchases, and the lawyers also help clients who want to buy through a company. A non-profit foundation or association can be incorporated with the same help, which suits charities and community groups planning activities on the islands.

Employment, family and disputes

Malta has a multilingual workforce, thanks to the many expatriates who work on the island, and work permits are relatively flexible for foreign nationals. Employment lawyers draft and review contracts, handle disputes and wrongful dismissal cases, develop workplace policies and help employers hire foreign staff, including work permit questions. Family law work covers divorce, custody, adoption, alimony and protection orders. In divorce cases mediation is offered first, and either spouse can be represented, including foreign spouses.

Litigation covers legal representation, negotiation, drafting, appeals and disputes over contracts, with mediation and arbitration as quicker alternatives to court. Debt collection starts with an amicable process before moving on to court if needed. Inheritance work spans estate planning, drafting wills, contesting or revoking wills and amicable division of an estate, with representation for clients abroad. Criminal defence is on the list too, including fraud, corporate and cyber offences, and trademark and patent protection completes the range.

Work-related paperwork can be time sensitive, so tell the lawyers early whether you are an employer or an employee, where the work is carried out and what contract is already in place. Both sides can be assisted in obtaining their rights, which means the firm can act for either party.

Winding up a company

Closing a Maltese company has its own rules, and getting it wrong can leave a liquidator personally liable for unpaid tax, and the firm assists with all three routes: members' voluntary liquidation, creditors' voluntary liquidation and liquidation ordered by the court. A liquidator is appointed to value assets, pay creditors and distribute any surplus, and the lawyers are certified to act in that role. Documents filed with the Malta Business Registry include the shareholders' minutes, the latest financial statements, the liquidation notice and a solvency declaration.

Getting started

The firm's website does not give a street address or opening hours, and the directory lists the office under San Ġwann. If you are planning a visit to the island around a meeting or a viewing, our introduction to Malta and guide to where to stay in Malta will help you pick a base.

Say what you need in your message: a new company, a property purchase, a residence application or a dispute, together with your timescale. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Lawyers in Malta, who will reply to you directly.