Malta Introduces Special Tax Status for Senior Family Office Employees

A new special tax status in Malta is now available for qualifying senior employees of family offices back offices, and treasury management operations, under which eligible individuals may benefit from a reduced income tax rate of 15%. This development strengthens Malta’s position as a leading centre for family offices and international private client planning.

Legal Notice 250 of 2025, titled Senior Employees of Family Offices, Back Offices and Treasury Management Operations Tax Rules, 2025, was published in the Malta Government Gazette on 17th October 2025. The notice outlines the conditions under which senior employees of qualifying family offices and other eligible operationsin Malta may elect to be taxed at the 15% reduced rate on qualifying employment income.

To qualify for this special tax status in Malta, individuals must satisfy conditions set out in the Legal Notice, including:

• Holding a senior position within a qualifying family office, back office, or treasury operation based in Malta;
• Meeting minimum income thresholds; and
• Being employed under a qualifying contract of employment.

The rules apply from 1st January 2025, covering the year of assessment 2026 onwards.

This initiative forms part of Malta’s broader strategy to attract international family offices and structures for HNW private clients, further enhancing the country’s tax and legal framework for succession, asset protection, and cross-border family planning.

At Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates, we adopt a pragmatic and business-oriented approach to each client’s needs. Our Private Clients and Tax lawyers advise family offices, private clients, senior executives, and highly qualified individuals on all aspects of tax and structuring in Malta, assisting with eligibility assessments, Special Tax Status applications before the competent authorities, and the establishment and management of family office and succession planning structures tailored to each client’s objectives.

Our lawyers remain attentive to ongoing legislative developments and will continue to provide updates as new Malta tax rules and implementation details are published.