Malta's Merger Control Regime: Key Proposed Amendments

The Office for Competition has launched a public consultation on the most significant overhaul of Malta's merger control framework since 2007. The proposed amendments to the Control of Concentrations Regulations (S.L. 379.08) aim to modernise and simplify Maltese merger control and improve several key aspects of the merger control regime. Here's what's on the table:

Higher Notification Thresholds

The aggregate turnover threshold will increase from approximately €2.3 million to €4.5 million, with at least two undertakings each requiring a turnover in Malta of at least €800,000. The new threshold replaces the percentage-based calculation (10% of combined aggregate turnover) with a fixed monetary threshold of €800,000. The primary objective is to ensure that merger regulations focus on transactions that may raise competition concerns in Malta, whilst excluding those unlikely to have significant negative impact on the local market and reducing unnecessary burden on