The Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA“) has recently issued the findings of its 2025 Thematic Review on the oversight exercised by Company Service Providers (“CSPs“) when arranging for individuals to act as director
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Malta has introduced an innovative legal framework through the Companies Act (Youth Enterprise) Regulations, 2026, creating a new form of private limited liability company specifically designed for 16 and 17-year-old entrepreneurs. The new regulat
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The entry into force of the Companies Act (Agricultural Companies) Regulations, 2025 on 26 December 2025, by virtue of Legal Notice 307 of 2025, represents a significant legislative development within Maltese company law. Promulgated under the Com
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Malta’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and North Africa, its full membership in the European Union, and its sophisticated regulatory framework make it an exceptionally attractive jurisdiction for international companies seeking t
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The European Union’s internal market is underpinned by a series of fundamental freedoms aimed at facilitating economic integration and enhancing the competitiveness of businesses operating within its borders. Among these, the freedom of establis
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In Malta’s dynamic corporate environment, companies often begin with an ambitious vision and a group of individuals ready to contribute skills, capital, and expertise. Yet even the strongest business relationships can be tested by the pressures
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The Malta Business Registry (“MBR”) has published guidelines outlining the proposed amendments to the Companies Act (Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta). The amendments aim to streamline corporate compliance, modernise communication with the Regist
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The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (“FIAU”) has issued a new Guidance Note for Limited (Registered) Company Service Providers (“CSPs”), providing clarity on how small-scale CSPs should meet their anti-money laundering and countering
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In recent years the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) has introduced significant updates designed to facilitate the establishment and operation of Single Family Offices (“SFO”) in Malta. These developments strengthen Malta’s po
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In Malta, the declaration and payment of dividends is not simply a matter of transferring profits to shareholders, but it is a carefully regulated process governed by the Companies Act and, where applicable, the Capital Markets Rules (“CMRs”).
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The concept of transferability lies at the core of EU and Maltese financial regulation. It is this principle that distinguishes securities from bespoke or private contractual rights and determines whether a financial instrument falls within the sc
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On the 9th July 2025 the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) issued a circular detailing the findings of its 2024 thematic review into the quality, timeliness, and accessibility of company announcements by publicly listed entities. The
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A new report by the Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) has brought renewed attention to the serious vulnerabilities in the global financial system posed by proliferation financing and sanctions evasion. Despite the critical threat that proli
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In a continued effort to strengthen Malta’s regulatory landscape while introducing greater proportionality, the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) has announced significant updates to the Company Service Providers Act, following the
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In today’s evolving financial landscape, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword yet it’s a regulatory imperative. The EU’s Regulation on Sustainability-related disclosure in the financial services sector: (“SFDR”), codified under Regulat
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In the first part of this series, we explored the legal ramifications of European Union (“EU”) sanctions, focusing on the Criminalisation Directive, Malta’s role in transportation, and the importance of reporting obligations. In this second
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When it comes to registering a private aircraft, selecting the right jurisdiction is crucial for optimising both operational efficiency and financial performance. Malta, with its robust legal and regulatory framework, has become one of the most at
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Since June 2020 Malta’s legal framework has offered a distinctive structure for shipping and aviation companies known as the Cell Company (“CC”). This model allows businesses to create multiple distinct ‘cells’ within a single le
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We are delighted to announce that Zerafa Advocates and our founder, Omar Zerafa, have been ranked in the prestigious Chambers & Partners list, recognising our firm’s excellence in the legal industry. This ranking reflects our dedication to p
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Following the feedback statement on the proposed amendments to the Company Service Providers (“CSPs”) regulatory framework issued on the 9th April 2020, the amendments to the Company Service Providers Act, as amended by Act L of 2020 (“CSP A
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By a notice published on the 17th June 2020, the Malta Business Registry (“MBR”) has informed interested parties of the newly enacted regulations titled ‘Companies Act (Shipping and Aviation Cell Companies) Regulations’. The purpose of the
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On the 21st January 2021, the Malta Business Registry (“MBR”) informed relevant entities that, in respect of share transfers and changes in issued share capital or voting rights of companies and other commercial partnerships where applicable,
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On the 25th March 2021, the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) issued a circular directed to Trustees & other Fiduciaries bringing to their attention the coming in force of the Company Service Providers (Exemption) Regulations 202
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Every company incorporated or otherwise established in Malta is required to have in office a company secretary who has sufficient knowledge and experience to discharge its functions. The company secretary is to be appointed by the board of directo
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Amongst several company forms available in Malta, the most popular to foreign investors are private limited liability companies and private exempt companies. The Companies Act, Chapter 386 of the Laws of Malta (hereinafter the ‘Act’) different
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Is 50%+ entitling to do whatever one wants? Under Malta’s corporate law framework, mainly the Maltese Companies Act, Cap. 386 of the Laws of Malta (“Act”), the majority rule is the fundamental principle to arrange the will formation of l
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The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) has initiated a consultation on the revision of the Implementing Procedures – Part II for the Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Sector. This consultation is an essential part of ongoing efforts to str
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Company Service Providers (CSPs) in Malta are essential to the financial system as they serve as the first point of contact for individuals establishing businesses. Due to this, CSPs face heightened risks of being exploited for money laundering an
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One of the more recent developments in the world of alternative investment is the Notified Alternative Investment Funds (“NAIF”). NAIFS are a type of collective investment scheme exempt from licencing, provided they are included in the Malta F
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The circular addresses the Annual Compliance Return (“ACR”) which Company Service Providers (“CSPs”) are required to submit on an annual basis as part of their regulatory submissions to the MFSA. CSPs are informed that the revised ACR temp
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Discover Malta’s share capital requirements: When considering establishing a financial services provider or other licensed entity in Malta it is crucial to have a firm knowledge on the private law background. This includes an overview of min
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As part of its revised Recommendation 24 (the “Recommendation”), which was adopted in March 2022, the Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”), mandated that nations should guarantee the access for competent authorities to sufficient, accurate
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On the 11th March 2022, the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) issued two separate circulars informing authorised Company Service Providers (“CSPs”) and Trustees and other fiduciaries about the Annual Compliance Return (“ACR”)
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On the 3rd August 2021, the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA“) issued a circular as a clarification intended for licensed Company Service Providers (“CSPs“) on their previous circular. In the circular, the MFSA pro
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On the 2nd July 2021 the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) issued a circular reminding already licensed Company Service Providers (“CSPs”) of the requirements emanating from the updated CSP Rulebook and notifying them of the rele
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On the 17th May 2021, the Malta Business Registry (“MBR”) issued a notice directed to Company Service Providers (“CSPs”) noting the changes and procedures which will be implemented by the MBR following the enactment of the Company Service
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The Company Service Providers Act, Cap 529 of the Laws of Malta, as revised by Act L of 2020, extends the requirement of authorisation to persons that had previously been exempted from authorisation and supervision from the Malta Financial Service
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The Company Service Providers Act, Cap 529 of the Laws of Malta, as revised by Act L of 2020, extends the requirement of authorisation to persons that had previously been exempted from authorisation and supervision from the Malta Financial Service
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The Company Service Providers Act, Cap 529 of the Laws of Malta, as revised by Act L of 2020, extends the requirement of authorisation to persons that had previously been exempted from authorisation and supervision from the Malta Financial Service
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On the 16th March 2021, the Legal Notice 105 of 2021, Company Service Providers (Exemptions) Regulations, 2021 came into force. These regulations identify persons who are exempt from obtaining authorisation is terms of the Company Service Provider
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Following the feedback statement on the proposed amendments to the Company Service Providers (“CSPs”) regulatory framework issued on the 9th April 2020, the amendments to the Company Service Providers Act, as amended by Act L of 2020 (“CSP A
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On the 1st December 2020, the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) issued a consultation document on the updated Company Service Providers (“CSPs”) Rulebook. The updates to the CSP Rulebook will be applied in order to align such Rul
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On the 13th October 2020, the Parliament of Malta sat for the second reading of the Company Service Providers (Amendment) Bill (the “Bill”) which is to effect the amendments envisaged by the Malta Financial Services Authority in its feedback
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By means of a notice issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority (the “MFSA”) on the 15th July 2020, the MFSA reminded all licence holders of their obligations in relation to record keeping. In order to ensure consumer protection, complia
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On the 10th June 2020, the Malta Financial Services Authority (the “MFSA”) issued a Circular addressed to all Company Service Providers (the “Circular”) regarding the Sectoral Risk Assessment and Action Plan on Legal Entities, Legal Arrang
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On the 1st April 2020, the Malta Financial Services Authority (the “MFSA” or the “Authority”) has published a circular addressed to all companies and individuals registered to act as a Company Service Providers in terms of the Company Serv
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On 22th October 2019, the Malta Financial Services Authority (the “MFSA”) has issued a consultation document (the “Consultation Document”) on which the MFSA is seeking feedback from the stakeholders. The purpose of this Consultation Docume
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The MFSA has today issued a circular addressed to Company Service Providers regarding the duty of Company Service Providers to submit to the Authority a Certificate of Compliance. Such certificate shall cover one calendar year (from the 1st Januar
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