Malta is a well-regarded domicile for investment firms with access to the EU through MiFID II passporting. Competitive costs and a tax system reducing effective corporate tax to as low as 5% make it attractive for firms targeting Europe.
Licence categories
Category 1A: Receive/transmit orders and/or advise, no client money. Category 2: Any investment service including execution, no client money. Category 3: Full services including holding client money/assets. Category 4: Fund management (UCITS/AIFs).
Capital
Cat 1A: €50,000–€75,000. Cat 2: €75,000–€150,000. Cat 3: up to €750,000. Cat 4: €125,000+. IFR K-factor calculations apply to Cat 2/3.
Requirements
Genuine Malta substance with at least two fit and proper directors. Key functions: compliance, MLRO, risk manager, internal auditor (Cat 3/4). Qualifying shareholders need MFSA approval.
Timeline
Cat 1A/2: four to six months. Cat 3/4: six to nine months. Professional costs €15,000–€40,000.
Common pitfalls
Insufficient substance, incomplete personal questionnaires, generic documentation, and unrealistic financial projections.
How Complizoom helps
Our MFSA packages provide the complete documentation set for your chosen licence category, tailored to your business model.
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