Malta offers a sophisticated, EU-based platform for the establishment and operation of family offices, combining fiscal efficiency with a robust regulatory environment. Malta is particularly attractive to high-net-worth families seeking a stable, English-speaking base with access to European markets and a mature professional services ecosystem

Fiscal and tax framework

Malta’s tax regime includes a preferential 15% flat personal income tax rate for qualifying senior employees of family offices, subject to specified minimum income thresholds and time-limited eligibility. The wider framework for high-net-worth and internationally mobile individuals offers beneficial treatment of foreign-source income, participation exemptions for qualifying holdings, and refund mechanisms that can significantly reduce the effective corporate tax burden for investment and holding structures commonly used by family offices.

Regulatory and legal environment

As an EU member state, Malta aligns its financial regulatory regime with EU directives, with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) providing tailored guidance for single family offices and related wealth-management structures. The framework is designed to balance flexibility with robust anti-money-laundering and governance standards, giving families legal certainty for long-term succession, asset protection, and cross-border investment planning.

Available structures and ecosystem

Malta accommodates both single family offices and multi-family office or fund-style platforms, typically using companies, trusts, foundations, and professional investor funds to implement bespoke governance and investment arrangements. These structures are supported by an established ecosystem of legal, tax, fiduciary, fund administration, and advisory firms experienced in private wealth and cross-border structuring for international families.

Strategic location and lifestyle

Malta’s central Mediterranean location provides convenient access to major European financial centres while offering a high quality of life, political stability, and an English-speaking workforce. This combination of lifestyle advantages and institutional stability enhances Malta’s appeal as a long-term base for families wishing to consolidate governance, investment management, and succession planning within a single EU jurisdiction.
For more information as to Malta’s advantageous offering to Family Offices, see here.

Establishing a Family Office in Malta: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Feasibility Assessment

Objective: Understand family objectives, existing structures, and optimal Malta entity type.

Actions:

• Engage experienced legal and tax advisors specializing in family office structures
• Conduct preliminary analysis of existing wealth structure and governance
• Assess suitability of Malta-based structures relative to family circumstances
• Evaluate tax incentive eligibility and compliance requirements
• Project timeline, costs, and ongoing compliance obligations

Key Questions:

• Will the structure be a single-family office or multi-family office?
• Which family members and key employees will be involved?
• What is the aggregate family wealth and investment scope?
• Which tax incentives are relevant to the family’s circumstances?
• What governance and control structures do family members prefer?

Step 2: Entity Formation and Corporate Structuring

Objective: Establish the appropriate Maltese legal entity and governance framework.

Actions:

• Prepare articles of association or trust deed governing the entity
• Register the company or trust with appropriate Maltese authorities
• Appoint directors, trustees, and company officers
• Establish governance documentation (board minutes, resolutions, procedures)
• Open corporate bank accounts and establish financial infrastructure

Typical Timeline: 5-10 business days for company registration

Documentation Requirements:

• Director identification and residence proof
• Beneficial ownership documentation
• Articles of Association (companies) or Trust Deed (trusts)
• Board resolutions authorizing bank account opening
• Corporate compliance and governance framework

Step 3: Regulatory Approvals and Notifications

Objective: Obtain necessary regulatory determinations and approvals from the MFSA.

Actions (varies by structure):
For Single Family Offices:

• Notify MFSA of trust establishment if trustee services involved
• Confirm non-regulated status for direct investment in financial instruments
• Provide documentary evidence of family office structure and fund size (€5 million+)

For Multi-Family Offices (NPIF):

• Submit Notified PIF application to MFSA
• Provide fund documentation and investment strategy
• Confirm minimum thresholds (€50 million family wealth, €5 million per family investment)
• Designate exempt manager and administrator

For Tax Incentive Applications:

• Senior employees submit applications for 15% tax rate determination to MFSA
• Include employment contracts, salary documentation, professional qualifications
• Provide property ownership/lease evidence and health insurance proof
• MFSA issues formal determination within prescribed timeline

Typical Timeline: 30-90 days depending on complexity and responsiveness

Step 4: Tax Planning and Incentive Registration

Objective: Secure tax incentive determinations and optimize tax structure.

Actions:

• Prepare tax registration documentation with Malta authorities
• File applications for applicable tax incentives (15% senior employee regime, HNW status)
• Engage with Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA) regarding compliance requirements
• Establish tax reporting and compliance procedures
• Coordinate with existing tax advisors in other jurisdictions for international tax optimization

Key Documents:

• Tax identification numbers for all entities and individuals
• Declaration of tax residence and domicile status
• Tax filing history and compliance certifications
• Cross-border reporting requirements (FATCA, CRS, DAC6)

International Coordination:

• Assess double taxation treaty benefits and treaty applications
• Coordinate reporting with other jurisdictions (US, UK, EU states)
• Establish FATCA and CRS compliance procedures
• Review beneficial ownership disclosure requirements

Step 5: Governance Framework and Administration Setup

Objective: Establish professional governance, compliance, and operational framework.

Actions:

• Establish governance documentation and decision-making procedures
• Appoint trustees, company officers, and key administrators
• Establish compliance framework (AML/CFT, GDPR, regulatory reporting)
• Set up accounting and financial reporting systems
• Establish investment governance and decision-making procedures
• Document family governance and decision-making hierarchy

Governance Components:

• Board of Directors or Trustee governance structure
• Investment policy and risk management framework
• Compliance framework and AML/CFT procedures
• Regulatory reporting and disclosure requirements
• Audit arrangements and internal controls

Professional Support:

• Corporate administration (company secretarial services)
• Fund administration (for multi-family offices)
• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Regulatory compliance and reporting
• Investment advisory and portfolio management

Step 6: Operational Launch and Ongoing Management

Objective: Execute family office operations and maintain compliance.

Actions:

• Fund the entity with initial capital and investments
• Execute investment strategies according to governance framework
• Maintain regulatory compliance and filing requirements
• Monitor and report on asset performance and outcomes
• Update governance as needed to reflect family changes
• Plan for succession and long-term sustainability

Ongoing Compliance Obligations:

• Annual tax reporting and filing
• Regulatory reporting (MFSA, MTCA)
• Financial statement preparation and audit
• Investment performance reporting to beneficiaries
• Beneficial ownership updates
• AML/CFT compliance and reporting
• GDPR data protection compliance

Annual Timeline:

• March: Annual tax return filings and payments
• June: Beneficial ownership updates
• August: Fund reports and investor statements
• September: Audit planning and interim reporting
• December: Year-end accounting and planning

Key Considerations and Best Practices

Tax Compliance and Reporting

International Tax Framework

Malta-based family offices operate within a comprehensive international tax framework:

• Substance Requirements: Actual business presence in Malta (staff, office, operations) enhances tax position
• Transfer Pricing: Related-party transactions should follow arm’s length pricing principles
• BEPS Compliance: Alignment with OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting initiatives
• CRS/FATCA: Automatic reporting of beneficial owners and account information to home tax authorities
• Country-by-Country Reporting: Potential applicability for large multinational structures

Key Compliance Actions:

• Document all business substance in Malta
• Maintain contemporaneous transfer pricing documentation
• File timely tax returns and beneficial ownership declarations
• Coordinate with advisors in other jurisdictions
• Plan for automatic information exchange requirements

Regulatory Risk Management
AML/CFT and Sanctions Compliance

• Conduct comprehensive beneficial ownership due diligence
• Implement robust AML/CFT procedures and controls
• Monitor for sanctions list matches
• Document all CDD/KYC procedures
• Maintain compliance records for regulatory inspection

Data Protection (GDPR)

• Establish data protection procedures compliant with GDPR
• Appoint Data Protection Officer if required
• Document data processing activities
• Implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures
• Handle data subject requests timely and appropriately

Investment and Portfolio Management
Family Governance and Control

• Document investment objectives and risk tolerance
• Establish clear decision-making processes
• Clarify roles of professional advisors vs. family control
• Plan for succession and intergenerational transfer
• Consider family governance meetings and communication frameworks

Professional vs. Personal Management

• Determine appropriate balance between professional management and family involvement
• Consider multi-generational expertise and education
• Plan for family member training and involvement
• Establish clear succession planning for key professionals

Malta’s Offering

Malta has positioned itself as a premier jurisdiction for family office establishment through a combination of fiscal efficiency, regulatory clarity, professional expertise, and strategic location. The 2026 tax framework enhancements—particularly the 15% senior employee regime—further strengthen Malta’s competitive proposition for international families seeking a European base for wealth management operations.

The establishment of a family office in Malta is a structured, transparent process supported by experienced legal and tax professionals. Whether your family is establishing an initial wealth management structure, consolidating existing arrangements, or relocating professional operations to Europe, Malta offers a compelling combination of advantages:

• Fiscal Efficiency: Competitive tax rates and transparent incentive schemes
• Regulatory Certainty: EU-aligned frameworks with responsive, professional oversight
• Professional Services: Mature ecosystem of specialized advisors across legal, tax, investment, and administrative domains
• Strategic Location: Connectivity to European financial centres with Mediterranean lifestyle benefits
• Long-Term Sustainability: Clear legal frameworks supporting multi-generational wealth preservation and succession

Our team specializes in guiding international families through the establishment and optimization of family office structures in Malta. We provide comprehensive support across legal, tax, regulatory, and administrative dimensions, ensuring that your family’s objectives are achieved within a framework of clarity, compliance, and strategic advantage.

To find out how Acumum’s seasoned professionals can assist in the protection of your inter-generational wealth, please contact us.