Malta - British Expat Forum

Hi everyone.
First up - aMAZing forum folks, I have been trawling it for a few weeks now and am finding it so helpful. You all deserve medals.

So here's my issue: I am moving to Malta in 2 weeks and starting a p/t ITEC massage course. For income, I intend to operate as a sole trader providing services to residents of hotels/holiday apartments/local folk and to apply for O.R.

I understand (thanks to gozomarks helpful stickies and previous posts) that I will need various official documents (ID card, IR and Tax reg, VAT number, trading license etc) and to inform the ETC to do this.

My question, given some documentation may take some days/weeks/months to get in place, what do I need on Day 1 in order to operate legally and to satisy the requirements of the hotels/apartment owners to who's customers I will be providing my services.

I already have insurance and all my certificates of qualification.

Hope thats clear, thanks in advance for your help.

Cat )

Hi Cat, welcome to the forum, and thank you for your kind words

What you will need will be to some extent specific to your career - I suggest you contact ETC as they are the ones you will need to keep happy.

Hi guys,
me again...well I'm here and busying away getting licenses and paperwork sorted (and swimming and eating countless pastizzi). In the meantime, I would like to register my company name and was thinking to do it in the UK - I don't intend to trade under it yet just want to secure it for the future. (I understand the UK regulations about being based there/submitting returns etc) but wonder whether its better (as I may ultimately trade under it here), to register it here? Does Malta recognise UK registered companies and will there be an issue with trading here under a UK company OR is it all round better (and better financially) to register it here? I think this may be a friendly accountant question no?
Any help as ever, gratefully received. Even if you just point me somewhere else.... )

Malta will recognise the UK company but it will have to register a branch here in Malta which is more or less the same as registering a Malta company directly. With the UK company being registered as a branch you will have to comply with all responsibilities as if it were a normal Maltese incorporated company in addition to complying with the UK regulations for the UK company itself.
In my opinion it would be less hassle each year just to have a Malta company as you will only have one set of accounts to prepare, one annual return and basically one company to 'look after'.
The branch would still have to pay the 35% corporation tax.

Thanks Terrakka.
Most helpful. Will have a ponder.
Might come and join the bit of the forum where the accountants live )
Have a good day folks
Cat