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ARTICLE · 13 MARCH 2026

Acquiring A Financial Licence In Malta

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Malta has established itself as a leading EU jurisdiction for financial services, thanks to its robust regulatory framework overseen by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).

MaltaFinance and Banking
Chris Armstrong
Chris Armstrong
Szabolcs Toth
Szabolcs Toth

Malta has established itself as a leading EU jurisdiction for financial services, thanks to its robust regulatory framework overseen by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). The MFSA issues a wide range of financial licences that enable companies to operate across banking, investment, payments, insurance, funds, and emerging sectors like crypto-assets.

Typical Finance Licences in Malta

Credit Institution (Banking) Licence: authorises deposit-taking, lending, and full banking services (minimum initial capital often €5 million or higher, plus strict prudential requirements).

Investment Services Licence (under the Investment Services Act, aligned with MiFID) – covers activities such as reception and transmission of orders, execution of orders, portfolio management, investment advice, and dealing on own account. Investment firms are now classified into Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 based on size, risk profile, and activities (replacing the older Category

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