Third-Country Self-Employed Residence Permit

MaltaStarting a business

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Is this for a founder, startup entrepreneur, self-employed person, freelancer, company owner or another business profile?

It is for a third-country national who will live and work in Malta as a self-employed person or business owner after obtaining a Jobsplus Employment Licence. Only individuals can apply, since the self-employment licence is issued in the person's name, not a company's; company directors/shareholders must instead apply for a Single Permit as a company director.

See recorded sources

https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
It is a residence permit that allows a third-country national (non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss citizen) to legally live and work in Malta as a self-employed person or business owner, after obtaining an Employment Licence from Jobsplus.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
Only individuals can apply. A self-employment licence is always issued in the name of the person, not a company.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
If you are a director/shareholder of a company, you must instead apply for a Single Permit as a company director.

What must actually exist or be demonstrated: business plan, company, innovation, clients, contracts, economic activity, job creation or other substance?

The applicant must first obtain a Jobsplus self-employment licence, qualifying under at least one criterion: a minimum investment in fixed business assets in Malta (no property rentals); being a Highly Skilled Innovator with a viable business plan and a commitment to recruit at least 3 Maltese/EU/EEA/Swiss nationals within 18 months; being an Approved Project Leader of a project endorsed by Malta Enterprise; or being the sole representative of an overseas company opening a branch in Malta.

See recorded sources

https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
You must first obtain an Employment Licence (Self-Employment Licence) issued by Jobsplus.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
To qualify for a self-employment licence, you must meet at least one of the following criteria: Invest a minimum of €500, 000 in fixed business assets in Malta (no property rentals). Be a Highly Skilled Innovator with a viable business plan and commitment to recruit at least 3 Maltese/EU/EEA/Swiss nationals within 18 months. Be an Approved Project Leader of a project endorsed by Malta Enterprise. Be the sole representative of an overseas company opening a branch in Malta.

What investment, capital, income, revenue, funding or viability evidence is central to this pathway?

For the investment option, €500,000 must be placed in fixed assets in Malta within 6 months of licence approval; rental contracts do not count as investment.

See recorded sources

https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
If applying based on investment, you must place €500,000 in fixed assets in Malta within 6 months of licence approval. Rental contracts do not count as investment.

What business/self-employed activity may the holder conduct? Are there important restrictions? What is the family position where clearly stated?

Taking up employment with a Maltese employer requires a new Single Permit, and the self-employed permit can then no longer be retained. The official source does not describe the scope of self-employed activities permitted or the family position.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The FAQ does not describe the scope of self-employed activities permitted or the family position.

https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
Yes. You will need a new Single Permit if taking up employment with a Maltese employer. You can no longer retain the self-employed permit.

What approval/application sequence applies, how long is the status granted, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction is officially stated?

The applicant applies to Jobsplus for a self-employment licence while still legally resident in Malta; once approved, applies to Identità for the Self-Employed Residence Permit; attends biometrics with the Jobsplus licence; and if approved, receives a residence card valid up to the licence's expiry date. The permit can be renewed if the Jobsplus licence is still valid or renewed and the financial and legal requirements are still met; renewals are for up to 3 years according to the Jobsplus licence, at €100 per year. The official source does not state a longer-term residence direction.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

No longer-term residence direction is stated in the self-employed section.

https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
Step 1: Apply for an Employment Licence (Self-Employment Licence) from Jobsplus while you still have legal residence in Malta. Step 2: Once approved, apply for a Self-Employed Residence Permit via Identità. Step 3: Attend biometrics and present the Jobsplus licence. Step 4: If approved, you receive a residence card based on self-employment, valid up to the same date as the licence.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
Your employment licence from Jobsplus is still valid or renewed, and You continue to meet the financial and legal requirements.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-employment/
Renewal Self-Employed for up to 3 years according to Jobsplus Employment License €100 per year

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.

Third-Country Self-Employed Residence Permit

Is this for a founder, startup entrepreneur, self-employed person, freelancer, company owner or another business profile?

What must actually exist or be demonstrated: business plan, company, innovation, clients, contracts, economic activity, job creation or other substance?

What investment, capital, income, revenue, funding or viability evidence is central to this pathway?

What business/self-employed activity may the holder conduct? Are there important restrictions? What is the family position where clearly stated?

What approval/application sequence applies, how long is the status granted, how is it renewed, and what longer-term residence direction is officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.