Types of companies in Malta

Companies and commercial partnerships in Malta are regulated by the Companies Act in 1995, being in line with the requirements of the European Union Company Law. It defines the types of corporate entities or partnerships that may be established in Malta. The most common Maltese company organization type is the Limited Liability Company, being closely followed by the general and limited partnerships.

Open a Private Limited Company in Malta
This Private Limited Company is the most common company type used in Malta. It can be established by only one member and must have at least one director who must be a natural person, but may be of any nationality and residency. The private limited company must have a secretary licensed Maltese Nominee Company. The minimum required capital to form a private limited company is EUR 1.164 and it must be fully subscribed in the memorandum. The partners are liable to the extent of their contributions. The shares of a Maltese private limited company are restricted from selling to the public and the company may not be listed at any stock exchange.

Create a Public Limited Company in Malta
The public limited company can also be established by one or more persons, it must have at least one director, and a secretary licensed Maltese Nominee Company, who must undertake the administrative tasks of the company. Also the partners of a Maltese public limited company are liable to the company's debts and obligations only to the extent of their contributions. The main difference between the two types of limited companies consists in the transferability of the shares. A public limited company may freely offer its shares to the public and may be listed on the stock exchange.

Open a General Partnership in Malta
The Maltese General Partnership is formed under the Companies Act 1995. The partnership must be established by at least two members, natural persons or legal entities and functions on the basis of a Deed of Partnership that contains the names of the partners, the address of the registered office, the object of activity etc. In this partnership type, all the partners are general, and therefore are jointly and severally liable for the company's debts and obligations.

Create a Limited Partnership in Malta
The limited partnership is also formed under the Companies Act 1995 and functions on the basis of a Deed of Partnership containing identification information on the members and the partnership itself. It can be established by at least two members, natural persons or legal entities and does not require a minimum capital in order to be registered. At least one partner is the general partner, and at least one is the limited partner. The general partner has the right to conduct managing activities, instead being fully liable to the partnerships' debts and obligations, while the limited partnership is only liable with his or her contributions.