Malta: Highly Qualified Persons Rules

Malta’s HQP rules historically provided a 15% rate for specified eligible offices. The current guidance contains a determination deadline of 31 December 2025 and a termination date of 31 December 2030, so new 2026 entrants should not assume availability.

Tax treatment15% rate on qualifying employment income under the HQP rules
Target userSpecified senior roles in qualifying sectors
DurationScheme-specific
Salary / triggerIndexed minimum income and eligible-office requirements

Who it is designed for

Specified senior roles in qualifying sectors

How the tax treatment works

15% rate on qualifying employment income under the HQP rules. The exact tax result depends on your income mix, social-security position, deductions and whether every entry condition remains satisfied.

What to check before relying on it

    Where this regime can matter

    The practical value of a special regime is the difference it creates over the period you expect to remain in the country. Compare the qualifying years with the ordinary tax system that applies before or after the relief, and separate employment income from investment, foreign-source and other income that may follow different rules. A strong headline rate can be less valuable if the route is short, difficult to maintain or does not cover the income that matters most to you.

    Questions to answer before you rely on it

    • Do I satisfy every prior-residence and arrival condition?
    • Which parts of my remuneration are actually covered?
    • Who must apply, and what is the deadline?
    • What happens if I change employer, role or residence status?
    • What tax and social-security rules apply when the special period ends?

    Official source

    Open the authority page for definitions, forms and procedural detail.

    Official source ↗