{"id":13314,"date":"2026-07-03T07:58:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T05:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expatax.mt\/?p=13314"},"modified":"2026-07-03T07:58:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T05:58:40","slug":"malta-start-up-residence-programme-msrp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expatax.mt\/fr\/malta-start-up-residence-programme-msrp\/","title":{"rendered":"Malta Startup Residence Programme (MSRP): What Non-EU Founders Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Le Malta Startup Residence Programme (MSRP)<\/strong> is a residence route designed to attract innovative entrepreneurs from outside the European Union who wish to establish and grow their business in Malta. Introduced under Subsidiary Legislation 217.30<\/a><\/strong> and administered by Residency Malta Agency<\/a> en collaboration avec Malte Entreprise<\/a>, the programme combines residence rights with support for startups that demonstrate innovation, scalability and long-term economic potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a non-EU entrepreneur considering Malta as your next business destination, here’s what you should know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the purpose of the MSRP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Malta Startup Residence Programme is a residence route for third-country national entrepreneurs, co-founders, selected core employees and their immediate family members<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than focusing on investment alone, the programme evaluates whether a startup has genuine potential to create economic value, introduce innovation and grow from Malta. It is intended to attract businesses that can contribute to the country’s economy while using Malta as a base to access the European market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)<\/a>, this is pas<\/strong> a passive residence route. Successful applicants are expected to relocate to Malta, actively manage or contribute to the business and maintain a genuine physical presence in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What qualifies as an innovative startup?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Young business crew working with new startup project<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common misconceptions about the MSRP is that registering a company in Malta is enough to qualify. In reality, the programme is intended for businesses that demonstrate genuine innovation and the potential for sustainable growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the application process, Malte Entreprise<\/strong> assesses whether the proposed startup offers a new or significantly improved product, service, process or business model and whether it has the potential to compete beyond the local market. In addition to innovation, the business should demonstrate commercial viability, scalability and the ability to contribute to Malta’s economy over the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the programme is often associated with technology startups, it is not limited to a single industry. Eligible businesses may operate in sectors such as software development, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, health, sustainability, industrial services and other knowledge-based or technology-enabled activities. Ultimately, each application is assessed on its own merits, with particular emphasis on the startup’s innovative nature, growth potential and overall business model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main eligibility requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each application is assessed individually, but founders generally need to satisfy a number of important conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The startup should normally be less than seven years old<\/strong>, and the Maltese company must have a minimum of \u20ac25,000 in paid-up share capital or tangible investment<\/strong>. Where more than four co-founders are included, an additional \u20ac10,000 investment is required for each additional co-founder<\/strong>, up to a maximum of six founders under the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applicants must also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
    \n
  1. be at least 18 years of age;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. have a clean criminal record and successfully pass due diligence checks;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. hold comprehensive health insurance covering risks in Malta and other European countries;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any dependants;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. intend to establish their primary residence in Malta;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. actively participate in developing and operating the business.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most important parts of the application is the business plan. Malta Enterprise evaluates not only whether the business is innovative but also whether it is realistic, commercially viable and capable of creating long-term economic value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What about core employees?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The programme is not limited to founders. Startups may also include selected core employees<\/strong> whose specialised knowledge or technical expertise is considered essential to the success of the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To qualify, core employees must generally be employed on a full-time basis<\/strong>, receive a minimum gross annual salary of \u20ac30,000<\/strong>, and occupy a role that cannot easily be filled through the local labour market. Their inclusion must be justified as part of the overall application submitted by the startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How long is the permit valid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Successful founders and co-founders receive an initial three-year residence permit<\/strong>. Provided the startup continues to satisfy the programme requirements and remains operational, the permit may be renewed for a further cinq ans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Eligible core employees also receive an initial three-year permit, which may be renewed for an additional trois ans<\/strong>, subject to continued eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The programme is designed to support businesses during their early stages while encouraging founders to establish a genuine long-term presence in Malta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can your family relocate with you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Yes. The programme allows founders, co-founders and eligible core employees to include their immediate family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    his generally covers a spouse or recognised partner, minor children and financially dependent adult children, allowing families to relocate to Malta together. As a practical point, applicants are encouraged to include eligible family members in the initial application, even if some do not intend to relocate immediately, as requests to add family members at a later stage are assessed individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It is also important to note that residence permission for family members does not automatically grant access to employment in Malta<\/strong>. Depending on the circumstances, separate employment authorisation trough JobsPlus<\/a> may still be required before taking up work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What does the application process look like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Although every application is different, the process generally follows these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
      \n
    1. Prepare a detailed business plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Incorporate, or prepare to incorporate, the Maltese company.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Submit the proposal to Malta Enterprise for assessment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Complete the required due diligence and eligibility checks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Receive approval in principle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Apply for residence through Residency Malta Agency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Relocate to Malta and begin operating the business.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Applicants who require a visa to enter the Schengen Area may be issued with the appropriate visa following approval in principle before completing the residence permit process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What are the government fees?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The official programme currently provides for the following government fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      Government fee<\/th>Montant<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
      Application fee (per adult applicant or dependant)<\/td>\u20ac750<\/td><\/tr>
      Residence card issuance<\/td>\u20ac300<\/td><\/tr>
      Employment licence (initial three years)<\/td>\u20ac690<\/td><\/tr>
      Residence card renewal (founders after three years)<\/td>\u20ac500<\/td><\/tr>
      Employment licence renewal (founders for the following five years)<\/td>\u20ac1,150<\/td><\/tr>
      Employment licence renewal (core employees for the following three years)<\/td>\u20ac690<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Applicants should also budget for professional fees, company formation costs, legal advice, accounting services and ongoing compliance obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Does the programme offer any tax benefits?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Unlike the Programme de s\u00e9jour global (PRG)<\/a> ou le Programme de retraite de Malte (MRP)<\/a>, the Startup Residence Programme is pas<\/strong> a special tax regime<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Founders and co-founders are expected to establish a genuine presence in Malta, live in Malta and comply with the country’s tax and reporting obligations. Any personal or corporate taxation will generally be determined under Malta’s ordinary tax rules, depending on each applicant’s circumstances. Professional tax advice<\/a> is therefore recommended before relocating or establishing a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      Les imp\u00f4ts \u00e0 Malte : Un guide complet pour les particuliers<\/a><\/blockquote>