Malta: M&A/Private Equity

As its European customer base continued to expand, a US-based distributor of industrial equipment found that its existing business model was no longer suited to its long-term growth ambitions.

Malta’s corporate tax regime is designed to support international businesses, offering a compliant and flexible framework for companies operating across borders.

Malta's Competition Authority has published its response to public consultation on proposed reforms to merger control regulations, introducing revised turnover thresholds and new call-in powers.

The proposed amendments to the Control of Concentration Regulations (S.L. 379.08) represent a significant step in the continued evolution of Malta’s merger control regime.

The global M&A market has entered a new era. Following a prolonged slowdown between 2022 and 2024, deal volumes and values began recovering steadily from mid-2025, and that momentum has continued into 2026.

We are pleased to share the first edition of our Legal & Regulatory Updates for 2026, bringing together practical legal insight on key developments shaping Malta’s legal and business landscape.

Malta's merger control and foreign investment screening regimes impose mandatory approval requirements on certain transactions. Understanding when the Control of Concentrations Regulations and the National Foreign Direct Investment Screening Office Act apply is critical for professionals navigating acquisitions, mergers, and foreign investments in Malta.

Expanding a business internationally presents valuable opportunities – but success depends on structure and foresight.

At first glance, the surge in mergers and acquisitions across Malta over the past two years might suggest a maturing market finally finding its rhythm.