Extension Of The Special Designated Areas

Malta's laws on private residential leases have been updated, with the changes coming into force on 1st September 2024. The amendments seek to clarify various legal provisions, promote transparency.

The local market for short-let rented accommodation has grown rapidly over the past decade, with non-collective accommodation, including short-let apartments, houses and villas...

Important changes to the manner in which private residential leases are regulated in Malta were brought into effect last January 2020.

A report by Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal providing expert analysis on key areas of Maltese law, practice and regulation in the booming real estate segment of the island's economy appears...

Act No. XX of 2024 (the "Amending Act") introduces significant changes to the Private Residential Leases Act, Chapter 604 of the laws of Malta (the "Act") as well as a select few provisions of the

It started in 2017 with two judgments by the Paris Court of Appeal ordering separate owners of studio apartments in Paris to pay a fine of €15,000 each for renting out apartments through the...

Following the introduction of the Private Residential Leases Act in November 2019, the Housing Authority has implemented a system to allow for the requirement of lease contracts intended for primary residential purposes to be registered online within ten days of the lease's commencement.

Malta has a hybrid legal system, combining elements of both civil law and common law traditions. Its core private law framework is derived from Roman law, while certain areas of commercial law reflect common law influence.

On the 31st December 2019, a set of regulations were introduced for the purpose of registering private residential leases with the Housing Authority

Malta is currently engaged in a national debate over the regulation of short-term rentals. As in many other countries, Maltese authorities are grappling with how best to manage this burgeoning market.

Malta has consolidated its special tax status schemes into a single framework effective January 2027, offering four distinct categories for foreign residents. Each category provides a flat 15% tax rate on foreign-source income remitted to Malta, with varying minimum annual tax obligations and eligibility requirements based on nationality and income source.

Since early 2026, Malta has introduced the Pre-Departure Course as a core part of its updated labour migration framework. The programme officially launched on 05 January 2026, when the Skills Pass portal opened...

The Italian Data Protection Authority has issued a landmark decision against Character Technologies, Inc., examining how generative AI services must comply with GDPR requirements when processing personal data for model training and operation. The case establishes critical precedents for transparency obligations, age verification mechanisms, and the timing of data protection impact assessments for AI developers operating in the European Union.

Malta offers a comprehensive immigration framework combining EU membership benefits with English as an official language, structured residence pathways for professionals and investors, competitive tax regimes, and fast-track processing for skilled workers. The jurisdiction provides clear routes to permanent residence and citizenship while maintaining robust worker protections and family reunification options.

Malta's new Equal Pay Regulations introduce a restrictive 'single source' test for cross-employer pay comparisons that may conflict with EU law. This analysis examines whether Regulation 8's requirement that undertakings be under common control and carry out the same economic activity is compatible with the broader CJEU interpretation established in Lawrence and codified in Directive 2023/970.

Recent legislative changes in Malta have fundamentally transformed cybersecurity from a technical IT concern into a critical matter of corporate governance and legal liability. With the introduction of Legal Notice 89 of 2026 and the rise of AI-enabled cyber threats, organizations now face direct enforcement mechanisms and heightened expectations for cyber-risk management that can expose both companies and their directors to significant consequences.

Benefit from a 15% Tax Rate through Malta's Global Residence Programme — Designed for Non-EU Nationals Seeking a Residency Option...

Remote and hybrid work arrangements in Malta carry significant legal implications that extend far beyond operational convenience. Employers must navigate a complex web of employment protections, working-time regulations, data protection requirements, anti-discrimination duties, and cross-border tax considerations. Without proper contractual frameworks and compliance procedures, organizations risk employment claims, discrimination awards, regulatory enforcement action, and unexpected permanent establishment

Malta offers expat families a comprehensive education system with government, church, and international schools providing diverse curricula in an English-speaking environment. Understanding school options, costs, and enrolment procedures is essential for families planning their relocation to this Mediterranean destination.

Cross-border disputes have become increasingly common, and this can often lead to complex challenges when litigation extends across multiple jurisdictions.