Your Malta Partner. With an Office in Canada.
Malta. Europe's
Best-Kept Secret
for Canadian Wealth.
EU holding structures with a 5% effective corporate tax rate. Full Canada-Malta treaty protection. No need to leave Canada. And a team you can meet in person - right here in Kitchener, Ontario.
Licensed Company Service Provider (CSP Class C)
Since 2013
Established in Malta
CSP Class C
Highest MFSA licence
5%
Effective corporate tax
Canada Office
Kitchener, Ontario
Since 2013
Established in Malta
CSP Class C
Highest MFSA licence
5%
Effective corporate tax
Canada Office
Kitchener, Ontario
You've built your wealth in Canada. Now structure it internationally. A Malta holding company gives you access to the EU's most efficient corporate tax framework - without leaving home. 5% effective rate, full treaty coverage with Canada, zero inheritance tax, and a regulatory environment built for international business. Our office in Kitchener means you don't need to fly to Europe for your first conversation.
Why Malta?
A Jurisdiction Most Canadians Haven't Considered. Yet.
You've looked at Singapore, Ireland, maybe the UAE. Here's why Malta deserves a closer look.
EU Member State
Full EU membership since 2004. Access to the single market, passporting rights, and the EU's regulatory framework.
English-Speaking
One of only two officially English-speaking EU countries. All legal, tax, and regulatory documentation in English.
5% Effective Tax Rate
Malta's full imputation system with the 6/7 refund mechanism delivers one of the lowest effective corporate tax rates in the EU.
Canada-Malta Tax Treaty
Double taxation agreement in force since 1986. Withholding tax capped at 15% on dividends, interest, and royalties.
No Inheritance Tax
Zero estate, inheritance, or gift tax on most assets. Ideal for multi-generational wealth planning and succession.
Stable Legal Framework
MFSA-regulated financial services. EU-compliant legal system based on civil law with common law influences.
Canadian Tax Context
We Understand the Canadian Side.
Most Malta firms don't know what FAPI or Section 128.1 is. We do. Here's what we help Canadian clients navigate - without requiring you to leave Canada.
CRA Compliance
Owning a foreign entity triggers T1135 reporting and CRS obligations. We build Malta structures that are fully transparent to CRA from day one - no surprises, no audit risk.
FAPI Rules
Canada's CFC rules mean passive income in a foreign subsidiary gets taxed in Canada annually, regardless of distribution. We structure Malta entities with genuine active business income to stay outside FAPI's reach.
Holding Structures
Malta's participation exemption eliminates tax on dividends and capital gains from qualifying subsidiaries. Combined with the Canada-Malta treaty, this creates efficient repatriation paths back to Canada.
Family Office
Malta's Protected Cell Company structure offers legal ring-fencing between asset cells. Combined with no inheritance tax and the NAIF framework for investment funds, it's purpose-built for multi-generational wealth.
Full-service, cross-border
Three Phases. One Partner.
From FAPI-compliant structure design through Malta company setup to ongoing cross-border compliance - we manage every step while you stay in Canada.
Structure Design & Tax Analysis
We assess your CRA position, FAPI exposure, and international objectives. You receive a concrete structure proposal designed for Canadian compliance and Malta efficiency - no relocation required.
Malta Structure Setup
Company formation, bank accounts, regulatory filings, and operational infrastructure. We handle everything on the Malta side - from entity registration to MFSA compliance - while coordinating with your Canadian advisors.
Ongoing Compliance & Advisory
Annual accounting, tax filings, CRS reporting coordination, and T1135 support. One point of contact who knows your complete cross-border picture and works alongside your Canadian accountant.
Our Canadian Office
Meet Us in Canada.
No need to fly to Malta for your first meeting. Our office in Kitchener, Ontario means you can sit down with an advisor who understands both Canadian tax law and Malta's regulatory framework.
185 Washburn Drive, Kitchener, Ontario
- In-person consultations
- Coordination with Canadian advisors
- Local point of contact
Since 2013 in Malta. Now in Canada.
European expertise, North American accessibility.
Dr. Werner & Partners is a Malta-based law firm and tax consultancy serving international clients remotely and in person. With our CSP Class C licence - the highest tier issued by Malta's financial regulator - we set up and manage Malta structures for clients who stay in their home country.
- Established: Operational Malta holding company in 6-8 weeks - with streamlined processes and direct regulatory contacts
- Regulated: CSP Class C licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) - the highest licence class for corporate service providers
- Complete: From structure design through company formation to ongoing accounting and compliance - everything under one roof
- Cross-Border: Deep expertise in Canadian departure tax (Section 128.1), FAPI rules, and the Canada-Malta treaty. We coordinate with your Canadian advisors.
How we work
Four Steps. Zero Surprises.
From your first meeting in Kitchener to an operational Malta structure - here's how we work with Canadian clients.
Discovery Meeting
In person at our Kitchener office or via video. 30 minutes. You outline your situation - we tell you honestly whether Malta makes sense for you. Free of charge.
Canadian Tax Analysis
We review your CRA position, FAPI implications, treaty benefits, and existing structures. You receive a concrete assessment and proposed Malta structure.
Malta Implementation
Company formation, bank accounts, regulatory filings, and operational setup. We handle everything on the Malta side while coordinating with your Canadian advisors.
Ongoing Partnership
Annual compliance, CRS coordination, T1135 support, and strategic advisory. One point of contact who knows your complete cross-border picture.
Dr. Werner and his team guide you personally through every step.
Client Testimonials
What trust looks like in practice.
Ready to explore Malta?
Let's talk. In person or online.
Book a consultation at our Canadian office in Kitchener - or connect via video from anywhere in Canada. No obligation, no fee.
Dr. Jörg Werner
Founder & Attorney
and his team in Malta & Canada
What Canadian Clients Ask Us
The most important questions about Malta structures, Canadian tax implications, and our process - answered honestly.
Is a Malta structure CRS-compliant?
Yes. Malta is a participating CRS jurisdiction. Your Malta entities are reported automatically to CRA through the Common Reporting Standard. We ensure full transparency and proper disclosure from day one, including T1135 foreign property reporting.
How does the Canada-Malta tax treaty protect me?
The 1986 Canada-Malta double taxation agreement caps withholding tax at 15% on dividends, interest, and royalties. It also contains a tax sparing provision, meaning Canada recognises Malta's effective 5% rate rather than imputing the full 35% statutory rate. This prevents double taxation on income flowing between the two countries.
Do I need to move to Malta to benefit from a Malta structure?
No. Most of our Canadian clients stay in Canada. A Malta holding company requires directors and substance in Malta - which we provide - but you don't need to relocate personally. If you do consider a move later, we can also advise on departure tax planning under Section 128.1. But the primary use case is international structuring from Canada.
What about FAPI - won't CRA tax my Malta income anyway?
Canada's FAPI rules tax passive income in a controlled foreign corporation annually, regardless of whether it's distributed. The key is structuring your Malta entity to earn active business income, which is generally excluded from FAPI. We design structures that meet these requirements from the outset.
What substance do I need in Malta if I stay in Canada?
A Malta company needs local directors, a registered office, and genuine business activity. We provide this infrastructure through our CSP licence - you don't need to be there yourself. Board meetings, regulatory filings, and day-to-day management are handled on the ground by our team. You stay in Canada and retain strategic control.
Can you coordinate with my Canadian accountant and lawyer?
Absolutely. Cross-border structures require coordination between jurisdictions. We regularly work alongside Canadian accounting firms and legal counsel to ensure the Malta side integrates smoothly with your Canadian reporting obligations, including T1135 and CRS.
How does Malta compare to other jurisdictions Canadians consider?
Malta offers a combination that's hard to match: 5% effective rate versus Ireland's 12.5%, EU membership and treaty network versus UAE's limited treaties, a participation exemption without the substance-over-form risk of the Netherlands, and zero inheritance tax versus most EU jurisdictions. The trade-off is the two-company structure required for the refund mechanism.
What does it cost to set up a Malta structure?
Costs depend on complexity. A typical initial project including company formation, tax structuring, and first-year setup starts from approximately EUR 18,000. In the free initial consultation you'll receive a transparent quote with no surprises. Ongoing annual compliance starts from EUR 8,000.
How long does the process take?
From initial meeting to fully operational Malta company: typically 6 to 8 weeks. For more complex structures involving multiple entities or regulatory filings, allow 10 to 12 weeks. We coordinate with your Canadian advisors throughout to ensure seamless integration with your existing setup.
What's the first step?
Book a meeting at our Kitchener office or schedule a video call. In 30 minutes, we'll assess whether Malta fits your situation and outline next steps. No obligation, no fee.
