Malta: Compliance

Malta's Department of Contracts has issued Circular 07/2026, introducing foreign direct investment screening as a mandatory step in public procurement procedures involving critical activities and third-country investors. This development requires contracting authorities and economic operators to navigate new compliance obligations that bridge investment regulation and procurement law, potentially affecting contract award timelines and bidder eligibility assessments.

Recent Maltese Arbiter decisions against Crypto.com reveal that EU Travel Rule compliance is evolving beyond anti-money laundering enforcement into a consumer-protection standard that can trigger civil liability for crypto-asset service providers.

Europe's financial infrastructure is undergoing a fundamental redesign in response to quantum computing threats.

When shareholders' agreements conflict with a company's Memorandum and Articles of Association under Maltese law, the legal consequences may surprise many stakeholders.

When shareholders use both constitutional documents and private agreements to govern their company, conflicts can arise that challenge corporate governance. This analysis examines which instrument takes precedence under Maltese law when the Memorandum and Articles of Association clash with a shareholders' agreement, drawing on key judicial precedents and the fundamental principles of company law.

When a Malta company is struck off the Register of Companies for non-compliance, restoration remains possible within five years through a court application. The process requires clearing outstanding filings, settling penalties, and demonstrating a legitimate interest in revival, with the company treated as if it had never been struck off once the restoration order is registered.

On 11 December 2025, the European Parliament's Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee voted to approve key recommendations for a new EU-wide corporate framework for innovative firms.

Malta has steadily evolved into a leading hub for online gaming over the years. Today, hundreds of gaming operators are based on the island, making it a global centre for the iGaming industry.

We are pleased to issue the fourteenth edition of the Regulatory Compliance Quarterly Update.