Malta: Compliance

The commercial agent exclusion in EU payments regulation has evolved from a narrow carve-out for genuine sales intermediaries into a structure that regulators increasingly view as a means of circumventing licensing requirements. This regulatory tension, which predates PSD3, is now being directly addressed through the forthcoming Payment Services Regulation (PSR). How will these reforms reshape the landscape for payment service providers and commercial agents operating within the European Union?

Malta has introduced significant amendments to its beneficial ownership regime through the Companies Act (Register of Beneficial Owners) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, establishing a three-tier access system and new reporting requirements. Companies must now assess whether they fall within the scope of the updated regime and comply with the new Form BO4 filing obligations by January 2027, or face substantial penalties.

Malta's financial regulator has issued two significant circulars that reshape how payment and e-money institutions safeguard client funds and how firms report regulatory data.

Payment Institutions offering crypto-related services face a complex new regulatory landscape under MiCAR, requiring separate authorisation beyond their existing licences. The framework introduces substantial compliance obligations spanning conduct rules, disclosure requirements, and capital adequacy standards, while imposing multi-layered costs that can reach tens of thousands of euros annually. Understanding whether the commercial benefits justify these regulatory burdens has become a critical strategic q

Malta’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework has undergone a significant evolution following the introduction of Legal Notice 82 of 2026...

The European Union is advancing toward the establishment of a digital euro, a central bank digital currency designed to complement physical cash while preserving privacy and ensuring universal payment access. With the European Parliament backing the initiative and the Council setting a 2029 issuance target, the proposed regulation introduces legal tender status, holding limits, and dual online-offline functionality that must harmonize with upcoming payment services legislation. As trilogue negotiations prog

Malta's Financial Services Advisory Council is transitioning from foundational infrastructure development to an aggressive market capture strategy, aiming to convert regulatory advances and institutional coordination into measurable foreign investment and competitive positioning.

The right of access has long occupied a central position within the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Enshrined in Article 15, it enables individuals to obtain confirmation as to whether their personal data...

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.