Malta Financial License 2026: MFSA Investment, EMI & MiCA
What it takes to obtain Investment services (MiFID), EMI/PI, MiCA CASP in Malta: the regulator, minimum capital, local substance, typical timeline and how hard it is to open a corporate bank account, based on regulator publications as of October 2026.
An EU licence can be passported to other member states by notification. In return, regulators expect real head-office functions, management and AML staff in the country.
Key facts (October 2026)
| Regulator | Malta Financial Services Authority |
|---|---|
| Main licences | Investment services (MiFID), EMI/PI, MiCA CASP |
| Minimum capital | Investment firm from €75k / EMI €350k / CASP €50k–150k |
| Local substance | Compliance officer and senior MLRO |
| Typical timeline | Investment firm: 6 months / CASP: 25 + 40 working days |
| Corporate banking | Local banks are cautious and often expect local directors or substance |
Capital and fees are taken from regulators' rules and publications (October 2026), in local currency, and are confirmed case by case before applying.
What to consider
- Fees are set in law, which makes budgeting easy. CASP application €10k / €20k / €25k by class; annual fees from €10k.
- EMI/PI application €10k–15k; annual supervision €25k–35k plus a variable part.
- Malta was on the FATF grey list in 2021–22, so effective AML controls are scrutinised.
Serving clients in Japan
A foreign licence does not let you deal with residents of Japan in FX, securities or crypto: as a rule, Japanese registration is required. See Japan rules.
FAQ
What is the minimum capital for a financial licence in Malta?
Investment firm from €75k / EMI €350k / CASP €50k–150k. Requirements can rise with the activities and size of the business.
How long does licensing take in Malta?
Investment firm: 6 months / CASP: 25 + 40 working days. Missing documents extend the timeline, so preparation matters.
Do I need staff or an office in Malta?
Compliance officer and senior MLRO. Nominee-only structures are not accepted; real management and compliance are expected.
Can I open a corporate bank account in Malta?
Local banks are cautious and often expect local directors or substance. We recommend preparing banking in parallel with the licence application.
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