5% instead of 15% - why entrepreneurs are moving from Cyprus to Malta

Typically, we set up a new Malta company and gradually transfer the business operations. Our focus is entirely on the Malta side: formation, structure, substance, and compliance. To wind down or maintain your Cyprus company, we work with a network of experienced local partners, coordinating them on your behalf if needed. We'll clarify the best approach for your specific structure during the initial consultation.

Yes, this is possible and often makes sense - for example, for existing contracts or during a transition phase. The key is keeping the tax allocation clean: Where is the place of effective management? Where are decisions made? We advise you on the Malta side to ensure no double taxation risks arise. If you need ongoing support for the Cyprus company, we can connect you with experienced local partners.

The Cyprus and Malta non-dom regimes are entirely separate national rules. Your Maltese non-dom status is assessed independently of your previous status in Cyprus. The basic requirement: you must not be domiciled in Malta (i.e., you must not have a Maltese domicile of origin or choice). For most international entrepreneurs moving from Cyprus, this requirement is easily met.

No. The 17-year limit is strictly a Cypriot rule and has no bearing on your status in Malta. Malta's non-dom regime has no such time limit. You start in Malta with a fresh, independent non-dom status - regardless of how long you utilized the status in Cyprus.

The transition phase requires careful planning. The goal is to cleanly end your tax residency in Cyprus and establish it in Malta - without creating a period of uncertain tax status. Factors like your actual physical presence, the place of effective management, and your registration in Malta all play a role. We create a customized timeline that accounts for all these points.

Only to an extent. The Cyprus IP Box grants a reduced tax rate of around 2.5% - but strictly for qualifying IP income with a demonstrable research and development nexus. Malta's refund system is much broader: it applies to all types of income, not just IP. In return, the effective rate is 5%. For companies without their own intellectual property, Malta has a clear advantage. For IP-intensive business models with genuine R&D in Cyprus, the IP Box may remain the better choice.

The initial consultation lasts about 30 minutes and is conducted by a senior adviser. We analyze your existing Cyprus structure, compare the tax burden with a Malta scenario, and give you an honest assessment of whether a move makes sense for you. There is no obligation.

The Malta company formation itself usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. The total duration of the transition depends on your existing structure: Do contracts need to be rewritten? Is there a holding company? Do bank accounts need to be switched? We will give you a realistic timeframe after the initial review.

You will have a dedicated point of contact from our senior team - no anonymous clerks. Your adviser knows your case inside out and guides you through the entire process: from the initial review and company formation to ongoing support.

All information you share with us is treated with strict discretion and is never passed on to third parties. As a licensed firm, we are bound by professional secrecy. Our internal processes are designed to ensure full data protection compliance.