Table of Contents What Substance Means in Malta in 2025 The Toughest Requirements of International Tax Authorities Operational Activities in Malta: How to Build Real Substance Employees in Malta: Personnel Strategies That Meet Compliance CRS and BEPS: What You Need to Know About the New EU Rules Malta vs Other EU Jurisdictions: The Honest Comparison Frequent Mistakes in Substance Documentation Your Step-by-Step Checklist for 2025 Frequently Asked Questions Im sitting here having my third cappuccino in the Valletta office, looking at three centimeters of paperwork – all substance documentation for a single company. If you thought Malta was just about sun, sea, and low taxes, I have bad news for you. The days when you could just set up a letterbox company here and then relax on the beach are definitely over. Since 2019, international tax authorities are looking very closely at what youre actually doing here. And I mean really closely. Dont worry – today Ill explain how to build real business substance in Malta without sweating bullets when the next CRS report (Common Reporting Standard – the international cross-border information exchange system for tax authorities) is due. Business Substance Malta 2025: What International Tax Authorities Really Check Lets start with the hard truth: In 2025, business substance in Malta means far more than just having an office and dropping by once in a while. The EU Anti Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) and the OECD BEPS rules (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting – measures against profit shifting and base erosion) have changed the game completely. The Three Pillars of Real Substance When German, Austrian, or Swiss tax authorities review cases, they focus on three core areas: People on Site: Real employees with actual employment contracts, making real decisions Operational Activities: Business activities that truly take place in Malta Economic Reality: Your company must have a legitimate and verifiable reason to be in Malta What Economic Substance Actually Means The Maltese Economic Substance Act of 2019 sets clear minimum standards. Your company must in Malta: Employ an adequate number of qualified staff Have suitable operating expenses Make central management decisions Carry out core income generating activities (CIGAs) Sounds abstract? It is. Thats why lawyers and tax advisors puzzle over the question here every day: How much is enough? The Substance Test: How You Get Audited Imagine a German tax auditor knocking on your door. They want to see: Review Area What They’re Looking For Typical Pitfalls Employees Employment contracts, payroll, attendance records Nominee directors, remote-only teams Business Activities Business records, meetings, decisions Decisions taken abroad Expenses Office costs, IT, travel expenses Disproportionately low costs Premises Lease agreements, actual usage Shared offices without real presence My honest opinion: I’ve seen companies who thought a €200/month virtual office was enough. Spoiler alert: It’s not. Not even close. The Hardest International Tax Authority Requirements: Malta Under the Microscope This is where things get uncomfortable. Let me show you what different tax authorities actually expect from your Malta entity. Germany: BZSt and Their Substance Criteria The German Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) now has clear guidelines. When it comes to holding structures, they specifically look for: Minimum staff: Holding companies with €10 million in assets are expected to employ at least 2–3 qualified full-time staff Qualification level: Not just assistants – actual specialists with decision-making authority Cost test: Operating expenses should be at least 0.5–1% of managed assets Austria: BMF and the Look-Through Approach The Austrian authorities are even stricter. The BMF (Finance Ministry) applies a look-through approach – they see through your Maltese structure and ask: Where is the business really happening? Switzerland: ESTV and the Substance over Form Test The Swiss tax authority (ESTV) checks using the substance over form principle. This means: Economic Nexus Test: Is there a genuine economic connection between your business and Malta? Management Test: Are core management decisions really made in Malta? Control Test: Who actually controls the company, and from where? The New EU Reporting Duty: DAC6 and What It Means Since 2020, tax advisors and lawyers must report aggressive tax planning schemes (DAC6 Directive). That includes certain Malta structures. Reporting obligations are triggered when: Structures have only minimal substance Automatic tax advantages with no genuine activity Artificial arrangements for tax avoidance Insider info: I know three companies who received letters from the German tax authorities in 2023 – all with too little substance in Malta. The back payments? Six figures. CRS Reporting: What Is Automatically Shared Malta automatically exchanges information about: Information Reporting Threshold Reported To Capital income All amounts Tax residence of beneficiary Capital gains No specific threshold Tax residence of beneficiary Account balances Over $1,000 (approx. €900) Account holder’s tax residence Ultimate Beneficial Owner Over 25% ownership All relevant jurisdictions What does this mean for you? Transparency is no longer optional. Your home tax authority already knows – the only question is whether you’re compliant or not. Malta Operational Activities: The Guide to Real Substance Let’s get practical. I’ll show you which operational activities you can and must locate in Malta to pass even the strictest audits. Core Income Generating Activities (CIGAs): The Key Activities Maltese law distinguishes between business areas. Here are the most important CIGAs for typical Malta structures: Holding Companies Portfolio management: Active monitoring and steering of subsidiaries Strategic decisions: Investment and divestment decisions Financial management: Group cash management and financing Risk management: Risk monitoring and control Service Companies IT services: Software development, system administration Marketing and sales: Lead generation, customer service Administrative services: HR, accounting, compliance Intellectual property management: Developing and leveraging IP Substance Minimum Standard for Different Business Models Based on my experience with over 50 Malta setups, here’s my honest minimum recommendations: Business Model Min. Employees Min. Office Area Estimated Annual Costs Pure Holding (<€5m) 2 full time 50–80 sqm €120,000–180,000 Active Holding (>€5m) 3–4 full time 80–120 sqm €200,000–300,000 IP Holding 2–3 specialists 60–100 sqm €150,000–250,000 Service Company 5+ full time 100+ sqm €300,000+ Documenting Your Operational Activities This is where the wheat is separated from the chaff. You need seamless documentation: Board minutes: Records of management decisions (in English, signed in Malta) Management reports: Monthly business development reports Time tracking: Evidence your employees actually work in Malta Expense reports: Proof of all operational expenditure Contract management: Documentation that contracts are negotiated and concluded in Malta IT Infrastructure and Digital Substance In the digital world of 2025, IT substance is crucial too: Server location: Core IT systems ideally in Malta or the EU Email domain: .mt or .com.mt for official communication Cloud services: Prefer EU-based cloud providers Backup systems: Data backup to EU GDPR standards Practical tip: I advise all my clients: Hold your key meetings physically in Malta. Video calls are fine for day-to-day operations, but strategic decisions belong in the Maltese boardroom. Outsourcing vs. Own Employees: Striking the Right Balance You can’t outsource everything and still claim substance. My rule of thumb: Area Outsourcing Allowed Must Stay In-House Bookkeeping Yes (with a Maltese firm) Controlling and reporting IT support Yes (Level 1–2) Strategic IT decisions Legal/Compliance Yes (external lawyers) Compliance management Management No All strategic decisions What does it mean for you? Plan for at least 2–3 full-time employees covering core functions. The rest you can outsource smartly. Malta Employee Requirements: Compliant Hiring The Right Way This is where it gets human— and expensive. Because without real people on site, your whole substance story is just paperwork. Here I explain how to find, hire, and manage employees in Malta, so that compliance won’t blow up in your face. The Different Employee Categories for Substance Not every employee counts equally for your substance calculation: Tier 1: Management and Decision-Makers Managing Director: Must be Maltese or EU resident Finance Director: For all financial decisions Compliance Officer: Oversees all compliance obligations Tier 2: Specialist Professionals Senior Analysts: For investment decisions in holdings IT specialists: For tech-focused companies Marketing/Sales Manager: For actual business operations Tier 3: Administrative Support Executive Assistants: For daily operations Accountants: For local bookkeeping Office Manager: For office organization Salary Benchmarks for Malta 2025 Here are the hard facts on Maltese salaries (gross, including social contributions): Position Junior (0–2 years) Mid-Level (3–5 years) Senior (5+ years) Managing Director €60,000–80,000 €80,000–120,000 €120,000–200,000+ Finance Manager €35,000–45,000 €45,000–65,000 €65,000–90,000 Compliance Officer €30,000–40,000 €40,000–55,000 €55,000–75,000 Business Analyst €28,000–35,000 €35,000–50,000 €50,000–70,000 Executive Assistant €22,000–28,000 €28,000–35,000 €35,000–45,000 Recruitment in Malta: Where to Find the Right People Malta only has 500,000 inhabitants – the talent pool is limited. Here are my proven recruitment channels: Local Recruitment JobsPlus: The government job office – good for admin roles Malta Independent Jobs: Local job board with high reach LinkedIn Malta: For specialist positions University of Malta: For graduates and young professionals EU-Wide Recruitment Italy: Lots of Italian professionals relocate to Malta (language + climate) Germany/Austria: For finance and compliance roles Eastern Europe: Poland, Czechia for IT and back office Employment Law and Compliance in Malta Malta has relatively employee-friendly rules. Here are the most important points: Employment contracts Probation: Max. 6 months for new hires Notice periods: 1 week (probation) up to 8 weeks (after 4 years) Minimum wage: €195.16 per week (2025 rate) Overtime: 1.5x standard rate after 40 hours/week Social Security and Taxes Employer social security: 10% of gross salary Employee social security: 10% of gross salary Income tax: 0%–35% (progressive) Bonus arrangements: 13th and 14th month salary are common Remote Work and Substance Compliance Here’s where it gets tricky. Remote work is permitted in Malta, but is problematic for substance: Important: Employees who work more than 50% remotely only count proportionally towards your substance calculation. Fully remote employees don’t count at all. Hybrid Work Models for Substance 3–2 model: 3 days in office, 2 days home office (counts as 100%) 4–1 model: 4 days in office, 1 day home office (counts as 100%) 2–3 model: 2 days in office, 3 days home office (counts as 60%) Employee Development and Retention Malta has high staff turnover – especially in finance and tech. My top tips for long-term retention: Competitive benefits: Private health insurance, company car, lunch vouchers Training: Budget for conferences and certifications Flexible working hours: Core hours 10–15h, flexible elsewhere Career path: Define clear advancement paths What does this mean for you? Expect personnel costs to be 15–20% higher than initially planned, but invest in quality and stability. A good managing director costs €100,000 a year – a bad one will cost you your compliance, and much more. CRS and BEPS: What You Need to Know About the New EU Rules This gets technical – but don’t worry, I’ll explain the complex international tax rules so you’ll understand and can apply them. Common Reporting Standard (CRS): The Transparent Taxpayer Since 2017, over 100 countries have automatically exchanged tax data. Malta is on board. What does this mean? What Is Automatically Shared All investment income: Interest, dividends, capital gains Account balances: Year-end balances of all accounts over $1,000 Insurance products: Cash value of life insurances Trust and foundation structures: Beneficial owner info Who Receives the Information Maltese banks and authorities report automatically to: The country of your tax residence The country of your nationality (for US persons) All countries where you are tax-relevant BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting): The Anti-Avoidance Tool The OECD developed 15 action points against tax avoidance. For Malta structures, especially relevant: Action 5: Harmful Tax Practices Malta had to adapt its tax regimes. Key changes: Nexus requirement: IP income is favored only if actual R&D activity is done in Malta Substantial activity: Required for all preferential regimes Documentation duty: Extensive records required Action 6: Treaty Shopping Prevention Malta’s double tax treaties now include Principal Purpose Test (PPT) clauses: Structures must have a genuine business purpose Pure tax savings are not enough Substance must match treaty benefits EU Anti Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD): Direct Effects ATAD I and II have changed Maltese law directly: Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Since 2019, stricter CFC rules apply. Your Maltese company might be considered a CFC if: You hold over 50% of shares Corporate tax paid under 13.125% (75% of German rate) More than 30% passive income generated General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) Malta introduced a general anti-abuse clause: No substance arrangements may be ignored Main purpose can’t be tax avoidance There must be a valid commercial reason Country-by-Country Reporting: Transparency for Groups Companies with annual revenue over €750 million must create detailed, country-specific reports: Indicator What Is Reported Risk If Inconsistent Turnover Broken down by country Transfer pricing audit Profit before tax Per country and entity Substance challenge Taxes paid Effective tax burden BEPS review Employee numbers Full-time equivalents Substance doubts Practical Compliance Measures for 2025 Based on the new rules, here are your action items: Immediate Actions Substance audit: Check your current structure against the new standards Update documentation: Ensure all BEPS requirements are met CRS compliance check: Check all your reporting duties Tax residency certificate: Obtain current tax residency certificate Ongoing Measures Quarterly substance reviews: Monitor compliance continuously Transfer pricing documentation: Keep intercompany transactions up to date Board meeting minutes: Record all key decisions in Malta Employee time tracking: Document actual working hours in Malta Important note: Rules change fast. What’s compliant today may be risky tomorrow. I recommend quarterly compliance reviews with a specialist tax advisor. Malta vs Other EU Jurisdictions: The Honest 2025 Comparison After five years on the island and countless structure consultations, I can tell you honestly: Malta isn’t always the best choice. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Here’s my uncensored comparison. Malta vs Netherlands: The Substance Showdown Criterion Malta Netherlands Winner Corporate tax 35% (effective 5–10%) 25.8% Malta Substance requirements Medium to high Very high Malta Talent pool Limited (500k population) Large (17m population) Netherlands Office costs €25–40/sqm/month €35–60/sqm/month Malta Reputation with authorities Critically scrutinized Accepted Netherlands Quality of life Sun, but limited Infrastructure, but weather Draw Malta vs Ireland: The Celtic Tiger vs Mediterranean Malta Ireland is Malta’s biggest rival for EU holding structures: Ireland’s Advantages Tax rate: 12.5% corporate tax on trading profits Reputation: Less problematic with German/Austrian authorities Talent pool: 5 million residents, strong tech scene Infrastructure: Better flight connections, more advanced IT Malta’s Advantages Flexibility: More structuring options in tax law Costs: Lower staff and office costs Climate: 300 days of sun vs Irish gloom EU access: Same EU benefits at lower costs Malta vs Luxembourg: David vs Goliath Luxembourg is the established financial center, Malta the up-and-coming challenger: When Luxembourg Is Better Large structures: Over €100 million in volume Institutional investors: Pension funds, insurers prefer Luxembourg Regulatory stability: 30-year experience as a financial hub Banking: Access to top-tier banks When Malta Is Better Smaller structures: Under €50 million Operating companies: Not just holdings, but real activities Cost-effectiveness: Clearly lower setup and running costs Flexibility: Faster decisions, less bureaucracy Malta vs Cyprus: The Mediterranean Rivalry Both islands are after the same clientele. Here are the main differences: Aspect Malta Cyprus EU membership Since 2004, Euro since 2008 Since 2004, Euro since 2008 Tax regime Imputation system 12.5% flat rate Russia risk Minimal High (Ukraine war impact) Language Maltese/English Greek/Turkish/English Banking reputation Solid after 2018 cleanup Problematic since 2020 Honest Recommendation: When Malta, When Not? Malta is ideal if: You’re planning a holding structure with €5–100 million volume You’re ready to create real substance (2–4 full-time employees) You can relocate operational activities to Malta Low ongoing costs matter more to you than maximum reputation You value the Mediterranean climate for yourself and your employees Malta is NOT ideal if: You only want a letterbox company with no real substance Your structure manages over €100 million You have only passive income German/Austrian tax authorities already scrutinize you You’re not ready to invest €150,000+ per year in substance My honest opinion: Malta will still work in 2025, but only for those willing to build real substance. The days of quick & dirty setups are definitely over. Five-Year Outlook: Malta in 2030 Based on current EU developments, here’s my forecast for Malta through 2030: Tougher substance rules: Even higher minimum requirements Automated compliance: AI-driven substance audits by tax authorities Consolidation: Fewer, but larger and more professional setups Specialization: Malta will focus on select sectors (gaming, crypto, ship registry) What does it mean for you? If you pick Malta, plan long term and invest in professional substance from day one. Half-hearted solutions will not work in 2025. Common Mistakes in Substance Documentation: Avoid These Compliance Traps In the last five years, I’ve seen more Malta structures fail because of poor documentation than because of poor planning. Here are the biggest traps – and how to avoid them. Mistake #1: Board Minutes as a Box-Ticking Exercise I see this constantly: Board minutes drafted as if by a lawyer for another lawyer. Typical Problems Template language: The Board resolved to approve the quarterly management report – no detail Unrealistic decisions: A two-person board discusses 20 major investments in 30 minutes Lack of economic substance: Decisions with no visible local analysis or input Timing issues: Board meeting at 11:59pm on Dec 31 approves the annual plan How to Do It Right Realistic timing: 2–4 hour meetings for key decisions Local analysis: Show local employees’ input Follow-up actions: Every decision should result in next steps Supporting documents: Reference analytics, reports, calculations Mistake #2: The Phantom Employee Trap Companies hire staff who should theoretically work in Malta but are practically invisible. Red Flags for Authorities No digital footprint: No emails from local staff to external partners Unrealistic working hours: Important emails all sent outside Malta business hours No local interaction: No meetings with local advisors, banks, authorities Template communication: Emails all sound alike (likely from the same ghostwriter) Building Authentic Employee Substance Local networking: Staff should attend Malta business network events Banking relationships: Let local staff handle bank contacts Professional development: Send employees to local trainings Community involvement: Join local business associations Mistake #3: Expense Allocation Chaos Cost allocation between jurisdictions is a minefield. The biggest traps: Error Type Example Risk Solution Unrealistic cost base €50m holding with €30k in costs Substance doubts Benchmark against similar setups Inconsistent allocation IT costs sometimes Malta, sometimes Germany Transfer pricing issue Define clear allocation keys Missing documentation Costs with no invoices or rationale Tax office attack point Full documentation Artificial expenses Overpriced consulting from a sister company Anti-avoidance rules Arm’s length pricing Mistake #4: Neglecting IT Infrastructure In a digital world, everything leaves a trace. Typical IT compliance pitfalls: Digital Red Flags Server locations: All systems hosted in Germany, not Malta Email domains: Business mails from .de domains Cloud services: Data stored in non-EU data centers Video conference records: All key meetings held outside Malta Building Real IT Substance Register a Malta domain: Use .com.mt for official communication EU cloud provider: Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace with EU data residency Local IT services: Hire Maltese IT firms Backup strategy: Store critical data in Malta or the EU Mistake #5: Neglecting Transfer Pricing Many Malta structures don’t fail for lack of substance, but because of poor transfer pricing. Typical Transfer Pricing Mistakes No benchmarks: Intercompany prices with no comparative analysis Inconsistent methods: Different pricing for similar services Missing documentation: No written service agreements Risk-return mismatch: High profits with no corresponding risks or functions Transfer Pricing Best Practices Economic analysis: Each intercompany transaction needs a business rationale Benchmarking studies: Use databases like Bureau van Dijk or Thomson Reuters Risk assessment: Document which entity takes which risks Annual updates: Transfer pricing is not set and forget – review annually Mistake #6: Gaps in Compliance Monitoring The biggest mistake: Build substance once, then hope it runs itself. Compliance Monitoring Checklist Monitoring Area Frequency Responsible Documentation Employee attendance Monthly HR Malta Time tracking reports Board decisions Quarterly Company Secretary Board minutes Expense allocation Monthly CFO Malta Cost center reports CRS compliance Yearly Tax Advisor CRS self-certification Substance review Every six months Managing Director Substance report Practical tip: I recommend all clients set up a compliance dashboard – a monthly one-pager with all critical substance KPIs. This way you instantly spot if something’s off. Mistake #7: Legal Entity Management Chaos Malta structures are often run without professional corporate management. This backfires during audits. Corporate Governance Basics Registered office: Not just an address, but a real business site Company secretary: Professional service, not the intern Statutory books: Complete and up-to-date company records Annual returns: On-time filing with the Malta Business Registry What does it mean for you? Good documentation is not expensive – bad documentation can cost you your entire structure. Invest in professional compliance systems from the outset. Your Step-by-Step Checklist: Building Substance in Malta After all that theory, here comes the practical side. Your complete roadmap to building true business substance in Malta – the compliant and successful way. Phase 1: Strategic and Structural Planning (Months 1–2) Weeks 1–2: Develop Your Business Case Define business model What activities can/should move to Malta? How much substance do I need at minimum? What is the real commercial rationale? Create tax plan Consult tax advisor in home country Engage Malta tax advisor Design transfer pricing structure Calculate budget Setup costs: €15,000–25,000 Ongoing: €150,000–300,000 annually Employee costs: €100,000–200,000 per person Weeks 3–4: Legal Structure Design Choose company form Private Limited Company (standard) Public Limited Company (big setups) Partnership (for certain models) Shareholding structure Direct vs indirect shareholding Nominee structures (if needed) Plan for exit strategy Phase 2: Entity Setup and Registration (Month 3) Week 1: Company Incorporation Name reservation Check name with MFSA Check domain availability (.com.mt preferred) Do trademark search Directors & shareholders Managing director resident in Malta At least one Maltese or EU director Appoint company secretary Memorandum & articles Define business purpose broadly Set authorized share capital Corporate governance rules Weeks 2–3: Registration and Licenses Malta Business Registry Submit registration Receive certificate of incorporation Apply for VAT registration Tax registration Income tax registration Social security registration CRS self-certification prep Week 4: Banking Setup Bank account opening HSBC Malta or Bank of Valletta (established options) Select corporate banking package Set up online banking & SEPA access Financial infrastructure Implement accounting software (Sage, QuickBooks) Set up payment processing Arrange insurance policies Phase 3: Building Operational Substance (Months 4–6) Month 4: Office and IT Infrastructure Office space At least 50–80 sqm for 2–3 people Prefer Valletta, Sliema, St. Julians Meeting rooms & professional appearance IT Setup Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace (EU region) VPN for secure communication Backup systems implemented Cybersecurity measures Months 5–6: Personnel Recruitment Fill key positions Managing Director (Malta resident) Finance Manager/Controller Executive Assistant/Office Manager Recruitment process Create job descriptions Engage local recruitment agencies Employment contracts under Maltese law Develop onboarding program Phase 4: Operational and Compliance Phase (from Month 7) Monthly Tasks Board activities At least one board meeting per quarter in Malta Create management reports Document strategic decisions Financial management Monthly closing & reporting Expense allocation reviews Cash flow management Quarterly Tasks Compliance reviews Substance requirements check Transfer pricing review CRS compliance update Business development Local network building Market analysis updates Strategic planning reviews Annual Tasks Statutory compliance Annual returns filing Tax returns preparation Audit (if required) Strategic reviews Business model assessment Substance adequacy review Tax planning updates Critical Success Factors: What Really Counts Success Factor Importance Common Mistakes Best Practice Qualified staff Very high Cheap dummy directors Real experts with a proven record Documentation Very high Post-facto documentation Real-time documentation Local presence High Virtual offices Real offices with staff presence Professional advisors High Choosing the cheapest Specialized Malta experts Ongoing compliance Very high Set and forget attitude Continuous monitoring Your Go-Live Checklist Before you go live with your Malta setup, check these final points: □ Legal structure: All entities properly registered and funded □ Tax compliance: All registrations complete, first returns filed □ Banking: Accounts opened, online banking works, test transactions done □ Personnel: Key staff hired, work contracts signed, onboarding complete □ Office: Office occupied, IT in place, professional appearance assured □ Documentation: All corporate documents complete, first board minutes drafted □ Substance plan: Clear plan for first 12 months’ activities □ Monitoring: Compliance monitoring system implemented Final recommendation: Plan generously with time and budget. A well-constructed Malta setup takes 6–9 months and €200,000–400,000 in the first year. But once it’s running, you’ll have a robust, compliant structure for years ahead. Frequently Asked Questions About Business Substance in Malta How many employees do I need for real substance in Malta? For a simple holding structure, at least two full-time employees are required, with one being a resident Managing Director. For operational entities or larger holdings (over €50 million), you should have three to four qualified full-time employees. The key is not just the number, but the qualification – an experienced finance manager is worth more than three admin assistants for substance tests. What are realistic annual costs for a compliant Malta structure? For a professional Malta setup with real substance, you should budget €150,000–300,000 per year in operating costs. Expect 60–70% for staff (€100,000–200,000 for 2–3 employees), 15–20% for office/IT (€20,000–40,000), and 10–15% for professional services such as tax advice, audit, legal support (€15,000–30,000). These costs are essential for compliance – cheaper solutions often trigger problems with tax authorities. Can my staff work remotely without risking substance? Hybrid work is possible, but with clear limits. Employees who work more than 50% remotely count only partially. A 3–2 model (3 days Malta, 2 remote) is usually accepted and counts 100%. Fully remote employees don’t count at all. Important: Record attendance at all times and ensure all major business decisions are made physically in Malta. What happens if German/Austrian tax authorities audit my Malta setup? During an audit, authorities focus on three areas: real staff on site, documented business activity in Malta, and suitable operating costs. They review board minutes, employment contracts, emails, travel expenses, and actual office usage. A well documented structure with true substance will pass easily. Problems only arise with letterbox setups or questionable documentation. Is Malta still a good choice in 2025 compared to other EU jurisdictions? Malta will remain attractive for certain structures in 2025, but not for all. It’s ideal for mid-sized holdings (€5–100m), operating entities with actual Malta connection, and setups where efficiency matters more than maximum reputation. Not suited for simple letterbox firms, very large holdings (over €100m), or those already under increased scrutiny. The Netherlands or Luxembourg offer more reputation, Malta offers more flexibility and lower costs. Which business activities are best for Malta substance? Especially suitable: portfolio and holding management, IT services and software development, marketing and sales for the European market, treasury and cash management, intellectual property management. Not suitable: pure passive investments, business exclusively with non-European partners, highly regulated sectors (like banking/insurance without license), activities needing local licenses in other EU countries. How long does it take to set up a compliant Malta structure? From start to full operation plan for 6–9 months. Incorporation 2–3 weeks, bank set-up 4–8 weeks, finding and fitting office 4–6 weeks, employee recruitment 8–12 weeks. Parallely, process, IT, and compliance setup runs. Rushed setups in 2–3 months often create compliance issues later. Better to build solidly from day one. What are the greatest risks for Malta structures in 2025? Key risks: Weak documentation that won’t survive audit; EU anti-avoidance rule changes impacting existing setups; reputation risks with German/Austrian authorities; high ongoing compliance bills eating up tax benefits; dependency on few key staff in a small talent pool. You can minimize these by planning, budgeting, and monitoring professionally. Can I upgrade existing structures to meet new substance requirements? Yes, but it often requires substantial changes. Existing letterbox structures need a full overhaul: hire real staff, move business operations to Malta, improve documentation, possibly adapt legal setup. Upgrade costs are only 20–30% less than starting new. Important: upgrade before tax authorities act. Reactive upgrades during audit rarely look credible. How do I document business decisions in a way that supports substance? Every key business decision needs a Malta footprint: board minutes with local input, supporting documents from Malta staff, follow-up actions with staff responsible in Malta, and communications showing decisions implemented in Malta. Avoid template language and unrealistic timings. Rule of thumb: If an outsider reads the board minutes, they should understand why and how the decision was taken and implemented.
