Malta Targets Family Offices with Flexible Trust Structures and Tax Regime
Malta is positioning itself as a hub for family offices, leveraging PTC structures, tax incentives, and a collaborative ecosystem to attract ultra-high-net-worth families.
Malta has topped the 2026 Global Citizenship Program Index, but the real story for local finance firms is the island's growing pull as a family office destination. Dominion Managing Director Kristian Camenzuli describes the island as "the gateway to Europe" in comments given to FinanceMalta.
The structure drawing families is built around a Private Trust Company (PTC). It establishes a discretionary trust that holds shares in a holding company, which in turn owns shares in a Notified Private Investment Fund (NPIF).
The NPIF can be self-managed, removing the need for a licensed investment manager. It does require a fund administrator and a Money Laundering Reporting Officer. The PTC itself does not need a licence, but at least one director must have trust administration expertise.
Camenzuli explains that families can choose to keep investment management and custody outside Malta. "What matters is that, because the structure is established under a company, the company maintains substance in Malta," he says.
Beyond tax efficiency, the structure promotes good corporate governance and succession planning. Malta offers flexibility in trust law: settlors can choose the governing law of their trust, not just Maltese law, thanks to the Hague Trust Convention.
Tax incentives include the Highly Qualified Persons Rules, offering a flat income tax rate of 15% and eligibility for citizenship by merit. Malta's network of around 80 double taxation treaties further enhances its appeal.
Camenzuli emphasises that Malta has built a financial services industry with seasoned professionals. "Today, we go further by presenting a unified national team, showcasing the very best expertise Malta has to offer families," he says.
The collaborative environment involves government, regulators, and the private sector, exemplified by the 2023 national strategy for financial services. "There is no room for mistakes; there are no second chances," Camenzuli notes.
For local firms, this shift means new opportunities to serve ultra-high-net-worth families. Camenzuli says Malta is "building on that legacy by investing in our people and elevating the quality of our services."
The island's EU membership and air connectivity make it a strategic base. "Jurisdictional diversification is as relevant as asset allocation," Camenzuli adds. "For families looking at Europe, Malta is rapidly attracting attention."