Formation

 

The registration of a new company in Malta is done through the drawing of the Memorandum & Articles of Association that are subscribed to by the shareholder/s, following which a certificate of registration is issued by the Malta Registrar of Companies.

 

The M&A would state:

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• the name of the company;

• the name, address and official identification of the subscribers;

• whether the company is a private company or a public company;

• the registered office address of the company in Malta;

• the activities of the company;

• details regarding the authorised, issued and paid-up share capital;

• the directors;

• the company secretary, and

• the way the legal and judicial representation of the company is to be vested.

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Limited Liability Company (Ltd)

 

The Limited Liability Company is the most commonly used business entity in Malta.  It can be used in a number of possible structures, with the most common international used ones being the Trading and the Holding companies. 

 

The following are the main characteristics:

 

• Share capital – Eur1.2k minimum (20% paid-up);

• Shareholders – 2 minimum, 50 maximum, but 1 also allowed in single member companies;

• Director – 1 min + 1 Company Secretary (in cases of Exempt Companies may be same);

• Taxation – at corporate level, with refunds at shareholders’ level;

• Set-up – 2 working days (assuming due diligence in place).

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Public Liability Company (Plc)

 

Public Limited Companies are mostly used when there is an anticipated need to offer part or the whole share capital to the public (example, when having bonds or shares to be issued to the public). 

 

The following are the main characteristics:

 

• Share capital - Eur46.6k minimum (25% paid-up);

• Shareholders – 2 minimum and without maximum;

• Director – 1 minimum + 1 company secretary;

• Nominee shareholders – allowed;

• Taxation – at corporate level, with refunds at shareholders level.

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