Malta offers more than just sunshine and a strategic location. It’s a fast-growing hub for innovation, investment and entrepreneurship within the European Union.
Through the Malta Startup Residence Programme, non-EU founders, co-founders and core employees can obtain the right to live and work in Malta while establishing their ventures in one of Europe’s most accessible and connected jurisdictions.
At AE Business Advisors, we help you take your business from concept to reality, providing expert support across immigration, company formation, tax, and compliance. As a licensed agent, AE guides you through every stage of the process, so you can focus on what truly matters: building your startup and growing it across Europe.
Insight from AE Business Advisors
About the Programme
The Malta Startup Residence Programme is a government initiative designed to attract innovative entrepreneurs and highly skilled professionals to Malta. It provides a secure three-year residence permit, extendable up to eight years for founders and co-founders and six years for core employees, allowing you and your family to establish yourselves in Malta while developing your business.
Applicants must present a viable, innovation-driven business plan approved by Malta Enterprise, demonstrating real potential to contribute to Malta’s growing startup ecosystem. The programme combines residency benefits with business incentives, offering:
Long-term stability and access to Malta’s safe, English-speaking environment
The ability to operate within an EU jurisdiction
Access to Malta Enterprise incentives and non-dilutive support measures
A straightforward and transparent process managed through Residency Malta Agency and Malta Enterprise
Eligibility
The programme welcomes:
- Startup founders and co-founders
- Core employees with specialised skills essential to the business
- Family members (spouse, partner and dependent children)
Applicants must be at least 18, hold valid health insurance, have a clean criminal record and commit to living and paying taxes in Malta.
To qualify, your business must be less than 7 years old and operating in high-value sectors such as software, manufacturing, health and biotech, sustainable industries or other knowledge- and technology-driven fields. A minimum investment of €25,000 is required, and your business plan must be approved by Malta Enterprise.
How AE Helps You Succeed
At AE Business Advisors, we support clients through every stage of the Malta Startup Residence Programme, from preparing documentation to maintaining compliance after approval.
As a licensed agent, our role is to guide you through the entire process, ensuring your application is accurate, timely and compliant with the requirements of Residency Malta Agency and Malta Enterprise.
Our services include:
Eligibility checks and preparation of all application documents
Submission of the business plan to Malta Enterprise for approval
Residency application management, including coordination with the relevant authorities
Assistance with biometrics appointments and residence card collection
Renewal of residence permits and adding family members after approval
Opening corporate and personal bank accounts
Filing of annual tax returns for both individuals and companies
Tax compliance services to register beneficiaries as local tax residents
Replacement of lost residence permits
Through our immigration, corporate, legal, compliance and tax teams, AE offers all essential professional services under one roof, making your relocation and business setup in Malta as straightforward and secure as possible.
+356 2095 8100