Becoming Self-Employed in Malta: The 4 Key Bureaucratic Steps

At Dr. Werner & Partners, we deal with company formation and business setups on a daily basis. Usually, this involves establishing a Malta Limited for our clients, where the company acts as the legal entity and the client acts as the director or shareholder.

However, not everyone who moves to Malta starts with a full corporate structure immediately. Many people start their journey here as sole traders. If you are looking to operate as a self-employed individual rather than through a company, the process is slightly different. In this post, I'll walk you through the specific steps you need to take.

Four Authorities You Need to Visit

There are four main administrative steps you need to complete to officially start your self-employment in Malta. Based on my years of experience dealing with Maltese authorities, I can reassure you: these are standard procedures and are generally quite straightforward to complete.

Here is the chronological order I recommend:

1. JobsPlus (formerly ETC): Your first step should be registering with the the national employment agency (JobsPlus). You need to submit an engagement form indicating you are self-employed.
2. Commissioner for Revenue (CfR): Once you are in the system, you must register with the Inland Revenue department as a self-employed taxpayer. This ensures you receive your tax number and social security compliance.
3. VAT Department: Next, you need to register with the VAT department. Even if your activity is VAT-exempt or you fall under the small undertaking threshold, registration is typically required.
4. Commerce Department: Finally, you will likely need to apply for a Trade Licence. If your business involves importing or exporting goods, you will also need to apply for the specific import/export licences at this stage.

These are the essential bureaucratic hurdles you need to clear if you are aiming for self-employment in Malta.

Of course, there is more to building a business than just filling out forms. You will also need to handle practical matters like opening a bank account or finding suitable office space. Building a business takes stamina and patience, but getting the legal framework right is the foundation.

At Dr. Werner & Partners, we support entrepreneurs and businesses relocating to Malta with exactly these kinds of organizational steps, ensuring you can focus on your business while we handle the red tape.