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Malta
| Location | Malta lies at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, 93km south of Sicily and 288km north of Africa. |
| Time Zone | Central European Time. |
| Population | 410,290. |
| Capital | Valletta. |
| Airport | Malta International Airport, Luqa. |
| Language | Maltese, English. |
| Currency | Euro. |
| Dialing Code | +356. |
| Centre's Expertise | Corporate services, including holding company structures; investment services, including hedge fund domiciliation; captive insurance. |
| Political System | Democratic republic. |
| Legal System | A mixed legal system: company law and general commercial law are primarily based on UK statute law while general property law is based on a Civil Code. |
| Personal Income Tax | Rates vary according to income brackets and whether computed jointly with spouse or individually. |
| Corporate Income Tax | 35%. |
| Exchange Restrictions | No, however in certain instances there may be a duty to notify the Central Bank of Malta for statistical purposes. |
| Tax Treaties | 58 double tax treaties. |
| Permitted Currencies | Any convertible currency. |
| Minimum Authorised Capital | €46,587.47 (plc); €1,164.69 (private company). |
| Minimum Share Issues | €46,587.47 (plc); €1,164.69 (private company). |
| Shelf Companies | Not used in practice in Malta as companies can be registered in a short time given the correct documentation. |
| Incorporation Time Scale | Two-three working days. |
| Incorporation Fees | An authorised share capital fee. The fees range from €210 to €2,250 depending on share capital and on whether registration is carried out in paper or electronic format. |
| Annual Fees | Fees vary from €85 to €1,400 according to the authorised share capital of the company and according to whether registration of the annual return of the company is carried out in paper or electronic format. |
| Minimum Number | Two in the case of a public company; one in the case of a private company. |
| Residency Requirements | None. |
| Corporate Directors | Permitted (a director may be “any person”, including therefore a legal person). |
| Meetings/Frequency | A minimum of one in order to approve accounts. |
| Disclosure | Yes. |
| Bearer Shares | Warrants to bearer may only be issued by a public company if so authorised by its memorandum or articles of association and only in respect of fully paid up shares. |
| Minimum Number | Two (or one in the case of single member private exempt companies). |
| Public Share Registry | Yes. |
| Meetings Frequency | Every company must hold an annual general meeting. |
| Annual Return | A return must be made up on each anniversary of a company’s registration. It must be signed by at least one director of the company and the company secretary and submitted to the Registrar of Companies within 42 days from the date on which it is drawn up. |
| Audit Requirements | An auditor is required to be appointed at each general meeting at which the annual accounts are laid. Financial statements need to be audited and are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU. |
| Registered Office | Yes. |
| Domicile Issues | |
| Company Naming Restrictions | A public or private company may be designated by any name not already used by, or very similar to that used by, another company and not offensive or restricted. It must end with “plc” or “ltd” according to whether it is a public or a private company respectively. |
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