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DW&P Dr. Werner and Partners

For Businesses

Relocating Employees to Malta: Permits, Payroll & Compliance

Set up a subsidiary, apply for work permits, and establish payroll. DW&P guides international companies through every step.

You are evaluating Malta as a European base. Whether you are setting up a subsidiary, a shared service centre, or a regional headquarters, Malta combines EU membership with an effective corporate tax rate of approx. 5%, English as an official language, and work permits processed in weeks rather than months. DW&P handles the entire process - from incorporation to ongoing compliance.

~5 %

Effective corporate tax

Malta 6/7 Refund

15 days

Work permit via SEI

Specialist Employee Initiative

English

Official language

since 2004

EU member

Modern office facade with limestone elements, Sliema

Location Comparison

Malta vs Ireland vs Netherlands vs Portugal for B2B Relocation

Where do international companies establish their European subsidiaries? The key location factors.

JurisdictionCorporate TaxOfficial LanguageEmployer CostsWork Permit Duration
Malta5% effectiveEnglish10% social security (capped)15 days (SEI)
Ireland12.5%English11.05% PRSI8–12 weeks
Netherlands25.8%Dutch~18% social security6–10 weeks
Portugal21%Portuguese23.75% social security8–16 weeks

Single Employment Instrument

Malta allows for the combined application of work and residence permits in a single procedure.

Streamlined Administration

Short communication channels with authorities, personal contacts, and pragmatic processes. No big-city bureaucracy.

Tax Efficiency

5% effective corporate tax rate with full EU compliance and over 70 double tax treaties.

Our Process

Needs Analysis & Structuring

Analyzing your requirements: subsidiary formation, headcount, work permits, and office space. We recommend the optimal legal and tax structure.

Incorporate a Malta Limited

Setting up the subsidiary as a Malta Limited. This includes registration with the Malta Business Registry, tax registration, VAT number, and opening a corporate bank account.

Apply for Work Permits

Preparing and submitting Single Permits for third-country nationals. We coordinate with Identità Malta, including fast-track processing via SEI in 15 working days.

Set Up Payroll & Compliance

Setting up payroll under Maltese law (FS3/FS7), social security registration, tax withholding (PAYE), and ongoing compliance.

Office & Employee Relocation

Sourcing serviced offices or commercial space. We also support your employees with finding accommodation, opening personal bank accounts, and settling into Malta.

Relevant Advisory Services

Malta Work Permits
Establishment

Malta Work Permits

Company Formation Malta
Incorporation

Company Formation Malta

Payroll Services
Ongoing Operations

Payroll Services

Client Voices

What trust looks like in practice.

„When seeking legal advice for a complex case, our company turned to Dr. Werner & Partners. We would like to particularly highlight the excellent advice provided by our direct contact, Mr. Wickinghoff. We felt very well looked after thanks to his professional expertise and human approach. Mr. Wickinghoff addressed all our questions in detail and supported us with great dedication and a deep understanding of our situation. We really appreciated the close, personal support. We can recommend Dr. Werner & Partners to anyone who values qualified legal advice.“

Marat PerlinTranslatedGoogle Review

„Very fast with advice and responses to questions. Absolutely trustworthy and they will remain our point of contact.“

DIEPO GmbHTranslated

„Brilliant service. A fully operational Maltese company in under 8 weeks. Accounting, legal advice, company formation, and process optimisation all from a single source.“

Sandro Loris BernardiniTranslated

Frequently Asked Questions

Transparency matters to us. Here you will find answers to the most common questions on this topic.

Standard processing for a Single Permit takes up to 4 months. For highly skilled workers earning at least EUR 45,000 annually, the Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) fast-tracks this to just 15 working days. The Key Employee Initiative (KEI) is available for managerial roles with a salary of EUR 50,000 or more. EU citizens do not require a work permit.

Incorporation costs for a Malta Limited typically range from EUR 2,500 to EUR 5,000, which includes registration with the Malta Business Registry, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and tax registration. Annual administrative costs for accounting, auditing, and compliance apply separately.

The employer's social security contribution is 10% of the gross salary, capped at EUR 54.43 per week (for salaries exceeding EUR 28,303 per year). There is also a small contribution to the Maternity Fund. This makes the effective employer burden significantly lower than in many other European countries.

Generally yes, but you need to be careful regarding tax and employment law. After a certain period, this can create a permanent establishment in Malta. We recommend setting up a Malta Limited as a local employer to avoid tax risks.

Malta is an established hub for iGaming, FinTech, maritime services, pharmaceuticals, and IT. The government actively encourages international companies to set up here, particularly in the technology and financial services sectors.

A registered company address is required to incorporate a Malta Limited. Having a physical office with employees is highly recommended to demonstrate tax substance. DW&P offers serviced desk solutions as a flexible alternative to long-term commercial leases.

Ready to build your team in Malta?

Schedule a confidential initial consultation - in person or via video call.

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CSP Licensed Badge

Corporate Services at DW&P Dr. Werner & Partners are provided by DW&P Services Ltd. (C 103208) which is regulated by the MFSA and is licensed under Authorised Person ID: DSER-23577 to carry out the activities of a Class C CSP in terms of the Company Services Providers Act (Cap. 529 of the Laws of Malta).

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