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Requires an actual move — not remote ownership

Startup Residence Programme
Malta — startup founders

A Malta-incorporated startup from €25,000 capital + €10,000 per co-founder beyond the first 4 (maximum 6 co-founders). The company must be no more than 7 years old. Physical residence and paying taxes in Malta are mandatory. 3 years of residency + renewal up to 5 years → PR.

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Startup capital from
€25,000
Per co-founder beyond 4
+€10,000
Maximum co-founders
6
Permanent residency after
5 years of residence

The co-founder surcharge doesn’t start from person one

The first 4 co-founders are covered by the €25,000 base amount — the surcharge only kicks in from the fifth.

NUMBER OF CO-FOUNDERS
REQUIRED CAPITAL
NOTE
1–4 co-founders
REQUIRED CAPITAL€25,000 (base amount)
no surcharge
5th co-founder
REQUIRED CAPITAL€25,000 + €10,000 = €35,000
surcharge for each beyond 4
6th co-founder (maximum)
REQUIRED CAPITAL€25,000 + €20,000 = €45,000
the programme’s cap is 6 co-founders

What the process consists of

The key requirement is not formal business ownership, but genuine physical presence and tax residency in Malta.

COST ITEM
RATE
APPLIES TO
Startup capital/tangible investment
RATEfrom €25,000
per company
Surcharge per co-applicant beyond 4
RATE+€10,000
per person
Health insurance for applicant and dependants
RATEper insurer’s rate
per family

How the process runs

01
Registering a startup in Malta (no more than 7 years old)
Not the result of a takeover or merger with another company.
02
Confirming capital from €25,000
Tangible investment and/or paid-up share capital.
03
Submitting a form and business plan to Malta Enterprise
Filed directly with the programme’s administering body.
04
Receiving residency for 3 years
With mandatory physical residence and tax payment in Malta.
05
Renewal up to 5 years and transitioning to PR
PR available after 5 years of continuous residence in Malta.

A good fit if

You have (or are ready to register) a Malta startup no more than 7 years old with capital from €25,000.
You’re prepared to physically relocate and genuinely live in Malta, paying taxes there — not just formally own a company.
Your team has up to 6 co-founders — the surcharge for the 5th and 6th is €10,000 each.
You’re fine with the path to PR after 5 years of continuous residence.

A poor fit if

You’re looking for remote business ownership without personally relocating — the programme requires genuine physical presence and tax residency.
Your startup’s capital is below €25,000 — no lower threshold exists for the programme.
You have more than 6 co-founders — that’s the programme’s cap; additional participants beyond that aren’t covered.
The company was registered more than 7 years ago or formed through a merger/takeover — the programme’s eligibility criteria exclude that.

Who runs this programme

Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.

No matching firms in the directory for this category yet — the list is curated by hand and grows over time.

This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.

Frequent questions

Do I need to physically live in Malta for this programme?

Yes — per the available data, founders must genuinely reside in Malta and pay taxes there, not merely conduct business formally; this is a key distinction from investment-based residency programmes.

How much does it cost to add a fifth co-founder?

Per the available data, the first 4 co-founders are covered by the €25,000 base amount, and each additional one (up to a 5th and 6th maximum) requires a €10,000 surcharge.

Is there an age limit on the company?

Yes — per the available data, the startup must have been registered for no more than 7 years anywhere in the world and must not be the result of a takeover or merger with another company.

How long is the residency permit valid?

Per the available data, 3 years, renewable for up to 5 additional years subject to compliance with the programme’s conditions.

When is permanent residency available?

Per the available data, after continuous residence in Malta for 5 years.

Who administers the programme?

Per the available data, Malta Enterprise — the government body where the application form and business plan are filed, and which also offers separate support measures without taking equity in the company.

Sources

CSB Group — overview of Malta Startup Residence Programme requirements: capital, co-founder surcharge, residency duration, path to PR, the physical-residence requirement↗

Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 27 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.