Updated

Tax Benefits for Qualifying Expatriates within the Investment Services and Insurance industries in Malta

Tax Benefits for Qualifying Expatiates
  • Publication
  • September 11, 2024

The Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA) issued Guidelines concerning the application of Article 6 of the Maltese Income Tax Act (ITA). The Guidelines do not set out any changes to the qualifying conditions or the tax benefits granted under this Article but now clarifies that no reporting obligations should be required  by the employer and the qualifying employee when availing of the exemption concerning personal expenses paid by the employer on behalf of the qualifying employee and/or one’s family members.


Qualifying Expatriates

Broadly speaking, qualifying expatriates are individuals who are employees or service providers for licensed investment services or insurance companies recognised by the relevant competent Authority. Additionally, qualifying expatriates should meet one of the following criteria:

  •  Are not ordinary residents and not domiciled in Malta; or
  • Was not resident in Malta for a minimum period of three years immediately preceding the commencement of employment with or provision of services to any investment services or insurance company, provided that during those three years, the individual has been engaged on a full-time basis in a similar position outside Malta.

Qualifying expatriates under this Article may not qualify as a beneficiary under the Highly Qualified Persons Rules.

How we can help

Our in-house tax and payroll experts may help you with:

  • Identifying qualifying expatriates who may benefit under this Article;

  • Consider other tax programmes which may be beneficial to the respective individual;

  • Advising on the required process to benefit under this Article or other tax programmes;

  • Discuss how the changes in the Guidelines may impact the employer and/or the employee;

  • Advice on the reporting obligations by the employer and the employee;

  • Assistance in connection with payroll matters;

  • Assistance with the preparation of the employee’s Maltese income tax return; 

  • Providing employment and payroll health checks. 

The above is not intended to be exhaustive and other considerations may arise according to the specific circumstances. Contact us if you wish to discuss this in more detail.

Contact us

Bernard Attard

Bernard Attard

Tax Partner, PwC Malta

Tel: +356 2564 6726

Mirko Rapa

Mirko Rapa

Tax Partner, PwC Malta

Tel: +356 2564 6896

Edward Attard

Edward Attard

Tax Partner, PwC Malta

Tel: +356 2564 6750

Maria  Demanuele

Maria Demanuele

Senior Manager, Tax, PwC Malta

Tel: +356 7973 6302

Stephania D'Anastasi

Stephania D'Anastasi

Senior Manager, Tax, PwC Malta

Tel: +356 2564 2525

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