The Malta Startup Residence Programme grants a 3-year residence permit, extendable for an additional 5 years, during which beneficiaries are able to reside in Malta while launching their startup venture. Intended for non-EU nationals, this competitive programme is specifically designed to facilitate the setting up of innovative startups and scale-ups in Malta whilst supporting the immigration process of their founders/co-founders, core employees and respective immediate family members. Beneficiaries of this programme need to have a tangible presence in Malta (including living and paying taxes locally).

The Programme offers beneficiaries several benefits including long-term business and family stability together with an enhanced attractiveness to attract and retain international talent. This programme is complemented by lucrative non-dilutive support measures that are administered by Malta Enterprise which acts as the main contact point for start-ups and scale-ups that are looking to set up innovative operations in Malta.

The residency programme offers an attractive entry price point, access to a small and nimble jurisdiction – Malta, where English is the language in which business is held, access to the EU market and to other continents, ability to access local and attract international talent together with a dedicated one to one service to address your needs.

To be eligible for the Startup Residence Programme an individual must satisfy the following requirements:

• Has a concrete intention to develop and/or expand their business in Malta
• Startup undertaking shall be considered eligible if they are, or shall be engaged in one or more of the following activities in Malta:
  • 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
  • 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
• Is the founder or the co-founder of an enterprise, which has been registered for not more than seven (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 its profit
  • It has not been formed through a merger
• A co-founder would be one of the first entrepreneurs to have set up a 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 a significant stake in the registered entity. In addition, proof as to whether the co-founder would have served as a director and/or had a legal representation of the company, together with other duties related to the company might be requested
• 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 the case where more than four (4) co-founders apply for the Startup Residence Permit, an additional €10,000 needs to be placed per additional co-founder. In any case, the maximum number of co-founders eligible for the Startup Residence Programme is six (6)
• The founder and/or co-founders benefitting from this programme 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 recognised health insurance covering risks in Malta for himself/herself and dependants

Are you interested in growing your company or starting a company in Malta? Check this link and if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Malta Enterprise.