Concierge service for Malta Startup Visa. You hire My Latin Life; local immigration specialists (and licensed counsel where required) file on your behalf. The deliverable: residency or visa status filed through local specialists — card or approval in your name — not advice, not a DIY packet.
Malta’s Startup Visa Programme allows non-EU entrepreneurs to establish and operate an innovative startup in Malta, an English-speaking EU and Schengen member state. The program is designed for early-stage founders with scalable business concepts who want to build their company within the EU. Malta offers a startup-friendly regulatory environment, a growing tech ecosystem, access to EU markets, and a 15% corporate tax rate (with full imputation refunds available). We handle the full application with our licensed Maltese advisors.
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Program Overview
Malta’s Startup Visa was established to attract technology founders and innovative entrepreneurs to Malta’s growing startup ecosystem. The visa is valid for 1 year (renewable once), during which the founder must actively build and operate the startup in Malta. If the business is still operational and meets defined milestones at renewal, the 1-year extension is granted.
Malta offers several structural advantages for EU-based startups. As an EU member state, a Maltese company has full access to the European single market. Malta’s corporate tax system has a headline rate of 35%, but the full-imputation refund system allows shareholders to reclaim a significant portion of the corporate tax paid — resulting in effective tax rates as low as 5% for qualifying non-resident shareholder structures. Malta also has an extensive network of double taxation treaties and is a common holding company jurisdiction for EU-facing businesses.
The iGaming, blockchain and crypto, fintech, and maritime sectors have historically been Malta’s strongest industries, and the regulatory framework for these sectors is more developed than most EU jurisdictions.
How to Qualify
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
- Startup: Innovative, scalable business concept — not a traditional service business or franchise
- Investment: Minimum €25,000 committed to the Maltese startup entity
- Business plan: Detailed business plan reviewed and approved by Malta Enterprise
- Founder credentials: Demonstrate relevant experience and technical capacity to execute the business plan
- Clean criminal record
Benefits
- EU and Schengen residency — live and build in the EU
- Access to Malta’s startup ecosystem, tech events, and EU funding programs (Horizon, EIC)
- English-speaking regulatory environment — no language barrier for founders
- Malta corporate structure with favorable effective tax rates
- Established regulatory frameworks for fintech, gaming, blockchain
- Gateway to larger EU market for your startup’s customers
Application Process
- MLL reviews your business concept and confirms eligibility
- Business plan preparation and Malta company incorporation
- Application submitted to Malta Enterprise for business plan evaluation
- Residency Malta Agency issues the Startup Visa on approval
- Move to Malta and begin operating the startup
- Milestone review at 12 months for 1-year renewal
What MLL Does
- Business eligibility review and business plan guidance
- Malta company incorporation and registered office setup
- Full application preparation and Malta Enterprise submission
- Post-approval compliance and milestone tracking for renewal
Ready to Build Your Startup in Malta?
Book a consultation and our team will assess your business concept and walk you through the full process.
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Program Authority: Malta Enterprise (business plan evaluation); Residency Malta Agency (visa issuance).
Legal Basis: Malta Startup Visa Programme Guidelines (published by Malta Enterprise). Confirm current guidelines during your consultation as program requirements may be updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of businesses qualify for the Malta Startup Visa?
The Malta Startup Visa is designed for innovative, scalable technology or IP-driven businesses. Strong candidates include SaaS companies, fintech, blockchain/crypto ventures, iGaming, healthtech, and other technology startups with clearly defined growth plans. Traditional service businesses, retail, restaurants, and professional service firms (law, accounting) generally do not qualify. Malta Enterprise evaluates applications based on scalability, innovation, and job creation potential.
What is Malta’s effective corporate tax rate?
Malta’s headline corporate tax rate is 35%. However, Malta’s full imputation system allows shareholders to reclaim tax credits when dividends are distributed. For non-resident shareholders holding through a qualifying holding company structure, the effective rate after refunds can be as low as 5%. This requires careful structuring — our Maltese corporate advisors can walk through the specifics for your business type.