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Entities in Malta, including companies, partnerships, foundations, trusts and associations, have an obligation to disclose the ultimate beneficial owner/s (physical person) of the entities. A beneficial owner is defined as the individual (s) who ultimately owns or controls a legal entity or arrangement through direct or indirect ownership of a sufficient percentage of the shares or voting rights or ownership interest in that entity.

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With its balmy Mediterranean climate and favourable business environment, Malta is the ideal place to relocate your family and/or your business.

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Citizenship by naturalisation
The Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap 188) establishes who may become a citizen of Malta by naturalisation, provided that the applicant satisfies the relative provisions.
Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment
With the continuously changing global dynamics and evolving geopolitics, there is an ever-growing number of highly-talented high-net-worth individuals who are willing to invest and relocate to give themselves and their family members the chance to broaden their horizons and become part of a welcoming community.
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Malta has enacted legislation which extends to individuals providing excellent or manifestly superior contributions in the fields of science, research, sports, arts and culture as well as people of exceptional interest to the Republic of Malta, the right to become Maltese citizens.
Acquisition of citizenship by registration
The Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap 188) establishes who can register as a citizens of Malta. The Act was amended on 1st August 2007, this making it possible for second and subsequent generations born abroad to acquire Maltese citizenship by registration.

Family businesses

Our business solutions for family businesses center on alignment of all aspects of the family and business, including culture, vision, mission, values,...

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Maltese Family Businesses Resource Centre
For over 30 years Grant Thornton’s advisory teams have assisted family businesses in navigating the challenges of leadership and succession across generations
Grooming
Preparing the next generation for leadership and ownership is an integral part of any succession process. Grant Thornton can help formulate the necessary grooming plan for all the potential successors.
Tax services
Using a combination of reason and instinct, we can work with clients to develop a strategy that helps them understand and manage their tax liability in a transparent and ethical way.
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Having a proper governance structure is essential to ensure that the family and business strategies are achieved. Grant Thornton can advise on this, and facilitate the implementation of the ideal governance structure based on the exact scenario.
Ownership succession
Letting go of your family business is difficult for all owners and even more so for founders; however, in a family business the additional challenge presented by the family component increases the complexity of this process. Our team of family business advisors will ensure that such ownership issues are dealt with in an effective and structured approach.
Exit strategies
There are many 'exit strategies' that need to be considered to minimise the risk of conflict. They can arise from the eventual exit of a family member from the ownership ranks and can have many causes. See how we can help.
Management succession
By implementing our family business guidelines to family succession and a proper governance structure, the management succession process can be completed with minimal conflict and will result in the most competent successor being chosen.

Grants and Funding

At Grant Thornton, we specialise in providing comprehensive assistance to navigate the complex landscape of National and European Union (EU) funding. Our team...

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Digital Consulting

Transform the way you go about your business, through the power of digital.

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DORA Consultancy
Firms within the financial sector face a critical imperative to fortify their operational resilience in the digital sphere. Get ahead & prepare for DORA!
Cyber security Consultancy
Whether you are a multinational corporation, a small business, or an individual, the digital realm holds equal importance for us all.
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Build a solid foundation to fuel business reinvention and gain the flexibility you need to succeed through digital transformation.
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Information systems procedures have evolved drastically, but so have hacking techniques. Assess your IT resilience & protect your firm!
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Are you ready to explore the fintech space? Grant Thornton is able to guide you from start to finish.
Case Studies
Digital transformation has transitioned from being an option to a necessity. The race is on... The question is, are you ready?

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The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) have transformed the way we handle personal data. This regulation is a game-changer for businesses operating within the EU, or the handling of EU citizens' data worldwide.
Ship and aircraft registration
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Medical cannabis licensing in Malta
A study published in 2018 by market intelligence and strategic consultancy firm Prohibition Partners, has forecasted that the European cannabis market will be valued €115.7 billion by 2028. According to the same study, while patient numbers are currently below 100,000 across the region, their number is set to grow to over 30 million in the next decade. In 2018 Malta introduced a bill to legalise the use of medical marijuana and attract companies willing to produce high-grade medical cannabis for the European market.
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As an entrepreneur, business owner, parent or guardian, you will want to ensure that whatever happens in the future, the rewards from your hard work can be protected as efficiently as possible. Grant Thornton Fiduciaire Limited (Grant Thornton) understands this and provides a professional and holistic trust management service.
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The law establishes the requirement of a license for one to be able to act as a trustee subject to certain limited exceptions. One such exception is found in the Rules for Trustees of Family Trusts which provide for an exception to this rule where a trust is set up to hold property settled by a settlor or settlors for the present and future needs of family members or of family dependants who are clearly identifiable.

Residence and Citizenship

Grant Thornton is authorised and regulated by the Government of Malta to handle and submit applications for both citizenship applications as well as residence...

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Programmes
Grant Thornton is authorised and regulated by the Government of Malta to handle and submit applications for both citizenship applications as well as residence permits under the various residence programmes available in terms of Maltese law.
Ordinary residency in Malta
Any EU, EEA or third country national who resides in Malta for more than 3 months is obliged to apply for a Residence Permit. There are various grounds upon which an applicant may apply to require a residence permit, including: Self-Sufficiency, Employment or Self-Employment, Family Members, Permanent Residence, Study Purposes.
Qualifying Employment in Aviation Rule
Malta provides qualified persons employed in the field of aviation with an opportunity to enjoy a 15% flat personal tax rate on income generated from their direct employment in Malta. For a candidate to qualify, their annual income must exceed €45,000. This does not include the value of fringe benefits and applies to the derived income received from an eligible office.
Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity (Personal Tax) (Amendment) Rules, 2019
These Rules allows persons employed in a role directly engaged in carrying out, or management of research, development, design, analytical or innovation activities, to enjoy a 15% flat personal tax rate on income generated from their direct employment in Malta.
Qualifying Employment in Maritime and Offshore Oil & Gas Industry Rule
Malta provides qualified persons employed in the field of aviation, with an opportunity to enjoy a 15% flat personal tax rate on income generated from their direct employment in Malta.
Nomad Residence Permit
The NOMAD residence permit, which was launched in June 2021, allows third-country nationals who would normally require a Visa to travel to Malta, to retain their current employment based in another country whilst legally residing on the island.

Related insights:

RESIDENCY Applying for residence in Malta

Any EU, EEA or third country national who resides in Malta for more than 3 months is obliged to apply for a Residence Permit. There are various grounds upon which an applicant may apply to require a residence permit

01 Oct 2019

Tax services

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At its simplest, VAT is a tax on consumption and is a multi-stage tax (ie applied at every stage of the production process), which is applied to both goods (ie tangible property) and services. Additionally, although the tax is ultimately borne by the consumer (by getting included in the price paid), responsibility for charging, collecting and passing the tax on to the tax authorities, rests with the supplier.
2018 Amendments of the Income Tax Act
The following is a brief overview of the new tax provisions introduced in 2018 by the Budget Implementation Act (Act VII of 2018) and other legislative enactments

Transaction Advisory services

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Mergers and acquisitions
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ESEF Reporting
Our ESEF reporting service is tailored to assist listed companies in complying with the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) requirements. As of 2020, ESEF is mandated for annual financial reports of issuers with securities listed on regulated markets. We provide services for mapping the taxonomy and generating audit/regulator-ready xHTML reports.
Prospects MTF
As of 2016, small and medium-sized enterprises in Malta can access the capital markets through Prospects - a market of the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) designed specifically for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME). Prospects offers a cost-effective opportunity for entities looking to raise up to €5 million per issue.
Project financing
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Foreign direct investment
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is the category of international investment that echoes the objective of obtaining a lasting interest by an investor in one economy in an enterprise resident in another economy.
Wholesale Securities Market
WSM is a joint venture between the Malta Stock Exchange and the Irish Stock Exchange, combining the best of each partner’s processes and technical skills.

Industries

Transport Services

Due to the breadth of expertise available, Grant Thornton can provide players in three main sectors of the transport industry; these being Maritime, Aviation,...

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Aviation
The Maltese Government is constantly remaining to improve the position as the best place to do business within the aviation industry through exhaustive tax agreements, powerful legislation, and many aviation professionals. This is the best time for airlines, financiers and aircraft owners to be located in Malta.
Maritime
For Maritime, Grant Thornton provide direction with regards to VAT guidelines for yacht leasing, as well as ship and aircraft registration.
Automotive
We offer a broad range of services relating to automotive, ranging from Transaction advisory, access to finance, business advisory, process and inventory management, tax advisory, audit and advisory, outsourced support services.

Consumer goods

The industry is emerging at a very fast rate. Consumers are building the industry by demanding lower prices and findings new ways to buy food and drinks,...

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Public sector

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iGaming

With a sound jurisdiction that steers clear of bureaucracy and that has a proven track record, the iGaming industry in Malta is continuing to build on its...

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Gaming Regulations
Malta recently overhauled the framework regulating the iGaming sector. Going forward operators will still be required to obtain authorisation to carry out regulated activities.
Licensing Process
Prior to submission all applicants are advised to go through a pre-application process with one of the MGA’s Licensing Officers. This will ensure that the application has been correctly compiled and all the key ingredients are present.

Startups

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Real estate

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Malta Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
As part of the 2019 budget, the government has pledged to introduce a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) framework in Malta.

Hospitality & tourism

The hospitality and leisure industry is going through a period of extraordinary, inevitable change and will look very different in 2020 than it does today. On...

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Healthcare

Healthcare is a swiftly changing sector. Providers and commissioners of healthcare encounter the challenges of rising public expectations, an ageing...

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Financial services

Financial services businesses engage in an increasingly complex and heavily regulated environment. Grant Thornton's multi-disciplinary Financial Services Group...

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The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) II
MiFID II aims to protect investors and make sure that financial markets operate in the fairest and most transparent way possible. Building on stock and investment trading regulation introduced in 2007 it sets to ensure a more integrated financial market.
Fintech and Innovation
At Grant Thornton we help innovative firms and entities operating in the fintech space launch new propositions and grow their business. We also help established businesses transform and take advantage of the fintech revolution.
Asset Management
At Grant Thornton we help innovative firms and entities operating in the fintech space launch new propositions and grow their business. We also help established businesses transform and take advantage of the fintech revolution.
Banking
Grant Thornton combines local insight with global scale to help banks meet regulatory expectations, improve technology, and finance the right companies. If you’re looking for a partner in the banking industry, our expertise can make a difference

SME diversification and innovation grant scheme

€8 Million SME diversification and innovation grant scheme

The SME Diversification and Innovation Grant Scheme is targeted at SMEs seeking to adapt and become more resilient, whilst addressing market challenges through diversification. It is also aimed at enterprises seeking investment to bring to the market significantly improved and advanced products or services to those they already offer.

With an allocation of €8 million, the scheme is primarily targeted at sectors covering industry, biotechnology, research and technological innovation, yacht repair and maintenance, eco-innovations and environmental solutions, ICT development, and tourism networks with the artisan and craft sectors.

Assistance is offered through non-repayable grants up to a maximum grant value of €200,000, with an annual indicative budget of €1.6 million has been allocated to this scheme. Enterprises may receive assistance with aid intensity on eligible expenditure of 50 per cent.

Eligible actions

Eligible Undertakings having a business plan outlining a focused strategy through a proposed investment, may seek assistance to part-finance investment in tangible and intangible assets leading to:

the diversification of the output of an existing establishment into products or services not previously produced by the establishment;
the implementation of a fundamental change in the overall production process of an existing establishment;
a new economic activity related to the diversification of the activity of the establishment, under the condition that the new activity performed is not the same or a similar activity to the activity previously performed in the establishment;
the adoption of solutions that lead to the development of a significantly improved product or service;
the acquisition and integration into the business operation of solutions that are new or significantly advanced than those currently in use by the Undertaking.

Actions related to the diversification of the activity of the establishment should result in the beneficiaries engaging in one of the following activities:

The production, manufacture, improvement, assembly, preservation, processing of goods, materials, commodities, equipment, plant machinery;
Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences;
Research and Technological Innovation;
The repair, overhaul or maintenance of pleasure crafts, yachts having less than 100gt, aircraft, engines or equipment incorporated or used in such vessels or aircraft;
Information and communication technology (ICT) development activities, software development;
Eco-innovations, and environmental solutions;
The creation of tourism products and/or services as a result of networks created between traditional tourism service providers and the crafts and artisan sector;
The development and provision of tourism products and/or services related to emerging niche markets;
The development and provision of tourism products and/or services related to the promotion of natural and cultural heritage;
The development and provision of tourism products and/or services relating to social tourism with specific focus on senior tourists, accessible tourism and active ageing;
The development of innovative concepts, products and/or services offered by Boutique Hotels and Palazzini;
The development, and/or provision of E-health solutions;
The development and provision of services and products promoting healthy living;
The development and provision of services and products promoting active ageing;
The development and provision of services and products related to child-day care;
The development and creation of crafts and artisan products;
Retail activities by self-employed and family businesses engaged in craft;
The introduction of products/services that can be marketed and distributed internationally and which are typically more advanced than those prevailing in their respective industry in terms of technology, know-how and skills.

Maximum €50 of eligible expidenture up to €200,000

Eligible costs

Costs for leasing/rental of privately owned operational premises Construction/Up-grading costs
Costs for purchasing of new equipment, machinery, and/or plant
Costs related to patents/licences
Wage costs related to the wages of a Change Manager to drive the necessary change

Grant Thornton has a long and success track record when it comes to assisting clients tap such EU funds and has continued to invest in more human resources to provide the client with a whole range of services from scoping of the project, to grant application and project management.

Contact us today for a non-obligatory introductory meeting with a member of our EU Advisory Services team.
Send us an email or call on +356 21 320134.

SME diversification and innovation

SME diversification and innovation grant scheme

€8 Million SME diversification and innovation grant scheme

Eligible actions

Eligible costs

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