Malta

Table of Content

1. MALTA – YOUR IDEAL PLATFORM FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
2. STRATEGIC LOCATION
3. NIMBLE ECONOMY
4. WORKFORCE
5. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CENTRE
6. LOW CORPORATION TAX
7. SAFE AND PLEASANT LIFESTYLE
8. CITIZENSHIP
9. BENEFITS OF MALTA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
10. CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & SOCIAL FUND
11. PROPERTY PURCHASE OR RENTAL
12. RESIDENCE STATUS

The Maltese Islands are a group of small rocks, jutting out from the center of the Mediterranean Sea. In these conditions, they would have been relegated to the footnotes of history. Yet, ever since the archipelago was first colonized thousands of years ago, these islands have often played a crucial role in the making of history. Their strategic location at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea makes up for all the lack of natural resources here. Malta, the largest island, and her sister islands of Gozo, Comino, Filfla are strategically placed in the narrow channel joining the eastern and the western basins of the Mediterranean – a bridge between Southern Europe and North Africa and between Western Europe and the Middle East –
Besides this rich cultural heritage, Malta offers a solid business and an industrial background that goes back 50 years. Testimony to this, the island is home to hundreds of foreign companies all operating within a well-developed economic and industrial structure.
Today Malta is a well-connected investment location boasting an advanced communications setup and a business environment which gives every incentive for companies to invest, grow, innovate and compete in a global marketplace. Boasting a highly productive English speaking workforce, a European time zone, a Mediterranean lifestyle, a competitive incentives package, as well as frequent air and sea connections, Malta is a sure choice for foreign direct investment and international trade. In addition, Malta’s status as an EU Member State, together with the adoption of the Euro on 1st January 2008, further enhances the country’s attractiveness as a center for international business in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

MALTA – YOUR IDEAL PLATFORM FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

If you are considering Malta as the ideal destination to invest in, you are not alone in your decision. With millennia of history, the country has always played a pivotal role internationally due to its location right at the heart of the Mediterranean. The more recent past, since independence in 1964, has seen the country develop its economy in an impressive way. Leveraging its well-educated labour force, good governance standards and strategic geographic position, the country has been very successful in recent years in diversifying its production and export structure towards higher value-added sectors and creating a strong knowledge based economy.

So Why Malta?

• A strong national commitment to attracting foreign investment
• Over 40 years’ experience in foreign direct investment
• High levels of quality productivity and profitability of investment
• Highly skilled, flexible and multilingual workforce
• Availability of industrial premises at competitive costs
• Fiscal and financial incentive packages
• A modern and efficient infrastructure
• Excellent educational facilities
• English and Italian are widely spoken with a good understanding of French, German, Arabic and other languages
• High professionalism in business support services
• Support from Malta Enterprise – the first point of contact for all investors
• Economic, political and social stability
• Valued close economic and cultural ties with neighboring countries north and south of the island
• A healthy and safe environment

STRATEGIC LOCATION

Malta is very strategically located at the heart of the Mediterranean with very close ties to mainland Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The island is considered the best choice for investments in knowledge based sectors and high end manufacturing. Malta is also considered an ideal logistical hub due to its excellent port infrastructure. This, together with EU membership, makes the country a perfect gateway to the Euro-Mediterranean region and further.

NIMBLE ECONOMY

Malta has undergone an incredible transformation in the few decades since independence was gained in 1964. Four decades later, with a fully functioning open market economy, joining the EU in 2004 was seen as a natural step towards securing the economic future of the country. The adoption of the Euro in 2008 ensured that the economy would not be vulnerable to currency fluctuations and would allow the nation to be more competitive.
Progress and flexibility are key factors in the success of Malta’s ability to react quickly to international trends and the global market place. Our pro-business government continually seeks to strengthen Malta’s attractiveness as an open market economy. The exogenous shocks of the global recession inevitably had an impact on the local economy. However, it should be noted that Malta was one of the last countries within the European Union to enter the recession and it was also one of the first countries to rebound from the economic downturn. In essence Malta showed great resilience and emerged in a strong position.

WORKFORCE

The success of a business is not achieved by financing or technology but is ultimately determined by people power. The labor force in Malta is a very productive one, highly educated and extremely flexible with an excellent work ethic. Our people are our greatest natural resource and the country has good availability of professional, managerial and technical staff as well as a ready supply of top graduates most of whom are technology-experienced. The link between education and industry is vital for our competitiveness. Education and HR-related strengths top the criteria for choosing Malta as an investment destination.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CENTRE

Malta is now an internationally recognized financial services hub. However, due to the sector’s traditional and conservative approach it never experienced a real financial crisis. Indeed, the strength of the financial services sector was a critical contributing factor to the speedy emergence of Malta’s economy from the recession. In fact, the reputation of the Maltese financial services sector improved considerably due to the resilience and stability it showed during the financial crisis. This did not go unobserved in the global scenario and the impeccable reputation of the local financial services is expected to fuel further growth in this sector.

LOW CORPORATION TAX

A long-standing, full imputation tax system has existed in Malta since 1948. The rate for corporate taxation in Malta stands at 35%; however upon distribution of dividends, shareholders may qualify for a refund generally equivalent to 6/7th of the tax paid, thus resulting in a paid tax rate of 5%.

SAFE AND PLEASANT LIFESTYLE

There are many reasons why investing in Malta makes good business sense but it is not enough for the figures to add up and the stars to be aligned. In this day and age – where time, health, safety and true quality of life are precious commodities – Malta scores highly on all these aspects. Travelling distances are minimal, the healthcare facilities, which rank among the best in Europe, are first-class in both public and private hospitals and the crime rate is very low. However, the biggest selling point of the island nation is undoubtedly the lifestyle that investors and their families enjoy in the country. Indeed, those thinking of investing in Malta are highly recommended to visit the nation to explore and experience for themselves the wealth of history, culture, hospitality, bars and restaurants. That way they can also get a real taste of the flavorsome Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine that the country offers.

CITIZENSHIP

Legal Basis for Malta Citizenship by Investment
Malta Citizenship by Investment may be granted under an amendment passed in November 2013 to the Maltese Citizenship Act, Chapter 188 of the Laws of Malta. These amendments provided the framework for the enactment of LN 47 of 2014. The “Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP) rules provide for affluent persons of impeccable standing and repute to be naturalized and to receive Maltese citizenship on the basis of a contribution to and investment in Malta.

Benefits of Malta Citizenship by Investment

Efficient process:

• Citizenship approved after just 4 months processing time.
• Fast track residence cards within 1-3 weeks with Schengen mobility for 18 months.
• A total of 12 months to passport issue (inclusive of processing time) from date of initial residency.
  Mobility:
• Visa free travel to over 166 countries, including EU, USA, Canada.
• Right to live, work, study in any of the 28 EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland & Liechtenstein.
• EU approved citizenship program since Feb 2014
• Family eligibility includes parents of main applicant and spouse, minor children, unmarried dependent adult children <27. Descendants automatically entitled to citizenship thereafter
• Malta is a neutral, safe and stable country with a friendly people living a European lifestyle but with a Mediterranean quality of life.
• Eligibility for Malta Citizenship by Investment

To qualify under the regulations, a Main Applicant for Malta Citizenship by Investment must be at least 18 years of age and must meet the requirements outlined in this factsheet.
The main applicant may also add dependents to a citizenship application his/her spouse, children and parents or grandparents, under certain conditions, to benefit under the Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme.

Contribution to the National Development & Social Fund

To qualify for Malta Citizenship by Investment, the main applicant is required to contribute at least €650,000 to Malta. Of this contribution, 70 per cent will go into the Fund set up by the Government of Malta and run by a board of trustees. The rest goes to the consolidated fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
This contribution and the investments below need only be made AFTER approval of the applicants’ citizenship petition.

Property Purchase or Rental

Applicants are required to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 p.a. both on five-year contracts.
Investment in Bonds/Shares
Applicants are required to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares from time to time approved by the Maltese Government to be kept for at least five years. This investment will need to be made in stocks sanctioned by the government as beneficial to the Island. We are able to assist clients with the acquisition of approved collective investment schemes that invest only in Government Bonds.

Residence Status

The “residence requirement” requires evidence of a genuine link with Malta. Approved Agents obtain advance written approval from Identity Malta of their clients’ proposed links. Citizenship is granted after 12 months from effective date of commencement of the genuine link with Malta. Candidates must commit to some presence (but not 365 days) in Malta before citizenship is granted. Persons already resident one year prior to IIP approval already satisfy this requirement.

More detailed information is available through The Immigration Office assessment. All our Investment assessments are free, individually made according to your needs and 100% confidential.

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