Malta
- Effective tax burden: 5 %
- EU membership: since 2004
- DTA network: over 70 treaties
- Holding regime: Participation Exemption
Jurisdiction Comparison
Where Do International Entrepreneurs Set Up? Dubai, Cyprus, Portugal, Bulgaria or Malta?
Dubai, Cyprus, Portugal, Bulgaria, or Malta? Every jurisdiction has its strengths. We break down what truly matters for UK and international entrepreneurs.
Choosing the right jurisdiction is one of the most consequential decisions for international entrepreneurs. Tax rates are just one factor. Double tax treaties, EU access, substance requirements, and quality of life play equally important roles. On these pages, you will find fact-based assessments of the jurisdictions most frequently considered by UK and international business owners.
- Compared on the facts
- 5 Jurisdictions
- Malta effective corporate tax (refund system)
- 5 %
- Malta double tax treaties in force
- 78
- Full member, Eurozone, Schengen
- EU
Individual Locations
Location Profiles
Dubai (UAE)
- 0 % up to AED 375,000 profit, 9 % above
- UK–UAE tax treaty in force since 2016
- No EU membership, no Schengen
- Free Zone vs. Mainland considerations
Cyprus
- 15 % CIT since 2026 (previously 12.5 %)
- IP Box effective ~3 %
- EU member, Non-Dom for 17 years (extendable)
- Strong DTA network
Portugal
- NHR regime ended, IFICI as successor
- IFICI rate: 20 % (selected professions only)
- EU and Schengen member
- High quality of life, rising costs
Bulgaria
- 10 % flat tax on CIT and PIT
- EU member since 2007, Schengen since 2025
- Lowest cost of living in the EU
- Challenges with legal certainty
Location vs. Malta
Direct Comparisons with Malta
Dubai vs. Malta
- Dubai CIT: 9 % (above AED 375,000) vs. Malta effective: 5 %
- Dubai: UK–UAE treaty in force; Malta: 78 DTAs in force
- Dubai: no EU access; Malta: full EU member
Cyprus vs. Malta
- Cyprus CIT: 15 % vs. Malta effective: 5 %
- Both EU Mediterranean islands
- IP box in both countries, Malta's refund sector-agnostic
Portugal vs. Malta
- Portugal CIT: 19 % vs. Malta effective: 5 %
- NHR ended, IFICI restricted to select professions
- Both EU and Schengen members
Bulgaria vs. Malta
- Bulgaria CIT: 10 % vs. Malta effective: 5 %
- Flat tax (BG) vs. refund system (MT)
- Both EU members, different legal certainty
Next step
Which jurisdiction aligns with your goals?
In a free initial consultation, we analyse your situation and determine whether Malta or another jurisdiction is the right choice for you. Honest, confidential, and without any sales pressure.
Roderick Galea
Managing Partner
Nathaniel Borg
Partner
and the team in Malta
