Malta and the Netherlands at a glance
- Stamp
- Apostille, Hague Convention in force for Malta since 3 March 1968
- Issued by
- Consular Services Office of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism (Valletta)
- Language
- English, accepted as it is
- Register
- Malta Business Registry (MBR) (online)
- Tax treaty
- Signed 1977, in force 1977 (Rijksoverheid, 1 October 2026)
- EU trade
- EU single market and customs union
- In the Netherlands
- 25 companies controlled from Malta in 2024, 20 in 2021 (+25%), €31 million turnover (CBS, 9 October 2026)
- Moving here
- EU free movement
Documents from Malta
Passport copy, certified by a notary in Malta.
Proof of address in Malta, at most three months old.
Power of attorney. Sign the power of attorney before a Maltese notary. The Ministry checks the notary’s signature against its register.
Ownership statement, one page from us.
The apostille. Consular Services Office of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism (Valletta). You can drop documents in the box at the entrance, and they are ready within three working days. The apostille costs €20 for commercial documents and €12 for personal documents. The signature must belong to a professional registered with the Ministry.
Official page: https://foreign.gov.mt/service/legalisation-of-documents/
Good to know. Documents must have the original signature of a person based in Malta who is registered with the Ministry. MBR printouts must first be certified by a notary or lawyer.
If a company from Malta becomes a shareholder
Register extract, at most three months old: Malta Business Registry (MBR). Order certified copies of the certificate of incorporation, the memorandum and articles, and the register of members and directors. Plus articles, signing authority and ownership chart.
Malta: business register and trade
The Malta Business Registry is a government agency, autonomous since 2018, with the powers of the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Act. Its online system dates from 2004.
Company names, registration numbers, registered addresses, dates of incorporation, share capital and company officials are free public information. Other documents, such as annual accounts and annual returns, and beneficial owner details cost a minimal charge.
Documents can be bought through the online system by card or at the registry office in Żejtun. Extracts, certified copies and transcripts are available on request by email.
Provisional figures for 2025 show goods exports from the Netherlands to Malta of €748 million and imports from Malta of €482 million.
Your next step from Malta
Get free first advice Your own document list · How a Dutch BV is set up