Malta Startup Residence Program

The Malta Startup Residence Program grants non-EU entrepreneurs a residence permit to launch and scale innovative startups in Malta while residing and paying taxes locally. It supports founders, core employees, and their families with long-term business and immigration stability, along with access to non-dilutive funding through Malta Enterprise.

Benefits

Requirements

Stages & Fees

How we can help

Timeline

Benefits

Issued For 3 Years, Easy to Renew

The residence permit will be issued for an initial period of three years following the approval, renewed for a further five years once confirms that the start-up is still ongoing and the founder or cofounder(s) still meets the eligibility criteria

Open for Core Employees & Family Members

The Program is open to family members of startup founders, co-founders and core employees. Their permits will have the same validity period of the residence permit of the startup founder/co-founder or core employee.

Access to Local Healthcare and Social Benefits

All eligible applicants can use local healthcare services including diagnostic examinations and treatment at low cost in high-quality clinics and hospitals. Certain medications are provided for free.

Easy Apply via Accelerator Program

Non-EU nationals participating in Malta-based accelerator programs will be granted a residence permit or a visa according to the duration of the accelerator program in Malta. On successful completion of the program and submission of business plan, the participants will be considered for the Malta Startup Residence Program. The participants will pay the full fee on application for the accelerator permit but will not be charged again for the processing of the normal program.

Attractive Taxes & Low Business Fees

Non-Maltese-owned local companies may benefit from one of the lowest effective corporate tax rates in the EU - just 5%. Furthermore, with the right structuring, no additional tax may be due at the level of the individual shareholders.

Government Finance Support Eligible

Residence permit holders can access various financial support programs through Malta Enterprise to assist startups in their early stages.

Requirements

General Conditions

Submit an online application to Malta Enterprise with a sound business plan
Startup focus area should be one of the following
- Manufacturing;
- Software development;
- Industrial services analogous to manufacturing;
- Health, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences;
- Eco startups involved in the blue, green and sustainable industries;
- Other innovative economic activities which are enabled through knowledge and technology providing services or products which are currently not readily available in the relevant market or which shall be provided through a process which is novel.
Eligible business projects must meet at least two of the following criteria:
- propose products and/or services that have the potential to generate income from various geographical markets;
- produce products and/or services which are new, innovative or substantially improved compared to complementary products on the market;
- Utilize process which are new or substantially improved compared to those adopted in current complementary activities.
Collaboration with Malta Enterprise throughout the validity of the permit, including the submission of a detailed business plan and the timely provision of monitoring reports that may be annually or bi-annual as will be indicated in the approval letter;
During the whole program, Malta Enterprise and the Residency Malta reserve the right to ask for documentation to proof that all conditions of the approval are being met;
Immediate family members even if they do not have the initial intention to relocate to Malta are to be included in the first application, later requests for addition of family members will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and approval of such a request is not automatic;
Prior to the collection of the final residency card, the start-up needs to have been fully incorporated in Malta and registered with the relevant local authorities;
Any permits issued for founders and co-founders, core employees and families are subject to the startup maintaining the business activity as approved by Malta Enterprise and no criminal charges are faced by the applicants following the approval.

Core Employees

Must be a Non-EU national;
Must be 18 years and older;
Must have a full time employment contract in Malta with the company which has benefited from the Startup Residency program;
Declare at application stage the intention to hold their primary residence in Malta after being approved (183 days cumulative physical presence during a period of 365 days)
Has recognized health insurance covering risks in Malta for himself/herself and dependents;
In possession of sufficient financial resources in own bank statement to support themselves and any other dependents within existing regulations;
Has no criminal record or pending criminal charges and does not pose any potential threat to the national security, public policy, public health, or public interest; and
Must not have previously had applications for a residence status or citizenship rejected in Malta or abroad.

Founder & Co-Founders

Has a concrete intention to develop and/or expand their business in Malta;
Is the founder or the co-founder of an enterprise, which has been registered for not more than 7 years anywhere globally (including Malta), which fulfils the following:
- it has not taken over the activity of another enterprise,
- it has not yet distributed profit,
- it has not been formed through a merger.
A co-founder would be one of the first entrepreneurs to have set-up the start-up. This would also be reflected in the market cap table. In case of a dispute as to whether the individual would be a co-founder, reference will be made to the market cap table until the second year to determine that the co-founders had significant stake in the registered entity. In addition, proof as to whether the co-founder would have served as a director and/or had legal representation of the company, together with other duties related to the company might be requested;
Non-EU nationals are eligible.
A founder, co-founder or core employee applying under this programme must be 18 years and older;
The incorporated Startup in Malta is required to place a tangible investment and/or paid up share capital of not less than €25,000. In case where more than four (4) co-founders apply for the Startup Residence Permit, an additional €10,000 needs to be placed per additional cofounder. In any case, the maximum number of co-founders eligible for the Startup Residence Program is six (6);
The founder and/or co-founders benefitting from this program need to have a physical and tangible presence in Malta not only from a business point of view but also in terms of living in Malta. Thus, those benefitting need to be living and paying their taxes in Malta;
Has recognized health insurance covering risks in Malta for himself/herself and dependants;
In possession of sufficient financial resources in own bank statement to support himself and any other dependents within existing regulations;
Has no criminal record or pending criminal charges and does not pose any potential threat to the national security, public policy, public health, or public interest; and
Must not have previously had applications for a residence status or citizenship rejected in Malta or abroad

Family Members

Must be a Non-EU national;
Declare at application stage the intention to hold their primary residence in Malta after being approved (183 days cumulative physical presence during a period of 365 days)
Has recognized health insurance covering risks in Malta for himself/herself and dependents;
Has no criminal record or pending criminal charges and does not pose any potential threat to the national security, public policy, public health, or public interest; and
Must not have previously had applications for a residence status or citizenship rejected in Malta or abroad.

Stages & Fees

Professional Fee to our partners:
- €3,000 for every co-founder
- €2,000 for every core employee
- €1,500 for every dependant
Assistance with Company Formation and Business Plan can be included in the initial share capital.
Employment license fees (3 years) for each co-founder and core employee - €690

How we can help

Initial Consultation

Learn more about The Startup Program and ask any questions during our initial 1-1 consultation

$150*

* Consultation fee will be deducted should you decide to move forward with the citizenship application/other program with us

Book here

Paperwork & Represenation

We and our partners at AE will manage the entire application process for you, handling all paperwork, and attending meetings with authorities*

* If you'd like to work directly with AE, feel free to use UStoMalta as a referral code to receive a $150 discount for any immigration-related service (for new clients only)

Additional Services

We will help you to open bank accounts, file annual tax return, replace a lost permit and provide other services you may need

Other Residency Programs

If you decide this program is not for you, we will be happy to guide you through other residency programs available

Learn more

Timeline

2-4 weeks

Application Submission

Applicants submit an online application to Malta Enterprise, including a business plan.

1-3 months

Evaluation & Approval

If the business plan is approved, applicants proceed to apply for the Startup Residence Permit through Residency Malta.
During this phase, Malta Enterprise ensures that the startup aligns with national economic priorities.

Letter of Approval in Principle

Once approved, applicants receive a provisional approval letter.

1-2 months

Residence Permit Issuance

Upon incorporation in Malta and registration with local authorities, applicants receive a 3-year residence permit.

Renewal & Monitoring

After three years, the permit can be renewed for up to five more years, provided the business remains active and compliant.