Malta Enterprise’s INVEST scheme is expected to reopen for a further six months, offering businesses another opportunity to seek financial assistance for qualifying investment projects.
The extension was announced on 10 November 2026 by Economy Minister Silvio Schembri, following considerable interest in the scheme. Malta Enterprise received approximately 200 applications representing €1.5 billion in proposed investment, although these figures do not represent funding already approved or distributed.
For businesses planning to expand their operations, invest in equipment or establish new facilities in Malta, the announcement could provide a valuable opportunity. However, the revised application dates and any updated conditions have yet to be officially published.
What Is the Malta Enterprise INVEST Scheme?
The INVEST scheme, formally known as Support for Initial Investment Projects, provides financial assistance to businesses undertaking qualifying investments in Malta and Gozo.
Unlike schemes intended to support ordinary operating expenses, INVEST focuses on projects that contribute to business development and economic activity.
Under the existing guidelines, eligible investments may include:
- Establishing a new business facility or operation.
- Expanding the capacity of an existing establishment.
- Diversifying into products or services not previously offered.
- Making a fundamental change to an existing production or operational process.
- Acquiring eligible assets from a business that has closed or would otherwise close.
The scheme is intended to support substantial business development rather than routine equipment replacement or general operating expenditure.
How Much Financial Assistance Can Businesses Receive?
INVEST offers several forms of support, depending on the nature of the project and the applicant’s eligibility. These include tax credits, cash grants, loan interest subsidies and loan guarantees, with the latter available only to qualifying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The maximum level of assistance depends on the size of the business, the location of the investment and the sector involved.
Under the currently published guidelines, the maximum aid rates are:
| Business category | Assisted areas in Malta | Gozo and Comino | Other areas of Malta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small enterprises, excluding hospitality | 30% | 35% | 20% |
| Medium-sized enterprises, excluding hospitality | 20% | 25% | 10% |
| Large enterprises | 10% | 15% | Ikke kvalificeret |
| SMEs in the hospitality sector | 15% | 15% | 10% |
For example, a qualifying small enterprise investing €100,000 in eligible assets in Gozo could potentially receive assistance worth up to €35,000. A comparable project in an area of Malta outside the designated assisted areas could have a maximum aid value of €20,000.
The actual amount and form of assistance would depend on Malta Enterprise’s assessment and the applicable conditions.
Which Businesses and Sectors May Qualify?
INVEST is not a general grant available to every registered business. The published guidelines identify specific qualifying economic activities, including:
- Manufacturing, industrial services and specialised repair operations.
- Software development, data processing, hosting and certain digital platforms.
- Research, development, innovation and life sciences.
- Pharmaceutical activities and certain logistics operations.
- Film production, audio recording and digital video game development.
- Licensed hotels and guest houses.
- Licensed education, healthcare and care facilities.
- Certain cultural, entertainment and recreational activities.
Other specialised activities may also qualify, subject to the full guidelines. The nature of the investment matters just as much as the business sector. A company operating in an eligible industry must still demonstrate that its proposed project meets the scheme’s requirements.
Applicants must generally operate from Malta, have an eligible EU-incorporated business structure and meet the relevant tax and financial compliance requirements.
Businesses with foreign shareholders are not automatically excluded, provided they satisfy the eligibility criteria. However, businesses operating in licensed gambling or regulated financial services are excluded under the existing rules.
What Types of Expenses Can Be Supported?
Eligible expenditure may include tangible and intangible assets directly connected to a qualifying investment project. Examples include land and buildings, plant, machinery, equipment, patents, licences and certain intellectual property rights.
The guidelines also provide for eligible wage costs associated with employment created through qualifying investment projects, subject to specific conditions.
Not every business purchase will qualify. Routine replacement expenditure, ordinary operating costs and expenses unrelated to the approved investment should not be treated as eligible. Businesses must also provide at least 25% of the eligible investment costs through their own resources or external financing free from public support.
What Should Businesses Know Before Starting an Investment?
One particularly important consideration is when the investment begins. Under the existing guidelines, projects that started before an application was submitted may qualify only for assistance in the form of tax credits, provided all relevant conditions are met.
Businesses seeking cash grants should generally wait for Malta Enterprise’s approval before starting works or entering into binding commitments.
Starting a project too early could therefore affect the type of assistance available. The guidelines also require the supported economic activity to remain in the relevant area for at least three years for SMEs and five years for larger enterprises after completion. Companies considering significant expenditure should review these conditions before making financial commitments.
INVEST and Micro Invest: Are They the Same?
Despite their similar names, INVEST og Micro Invest are separate Malta Enterprise incentives.
INVEST supports qualifying initial investment projects, such as establishing new facilities, expanding capacity or introducing new business activities. Assistance may be provided through several financial mechanisms.
Micro Invest, by comparison, primarily supports eligible smaller businesses through tax credits on qualifying expenditure.
The schemes have different eligibility conditions, aid limits and application procedures. Businesses should assess which incentive is appropriate for their planned investment.
What Happens Next?
The six-month extension could give businesses that missed the September deadline another opportunity to apply for investment support.
For companies already considering expansion, new equipment or a qualifying investment project, this may be a good time to review the requirements and consider the opportunities available.
However, the announcement should not be confused with an official reopening. Malta Enterprise must still confirm the revised application period and any changes to the existing conditions.
Further information and future updates are available through the official Malta Enterprise INVEST scheme page.
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