Malta Capital Gains

|---| | Country | Malta | | CGT on securities? | NO — Malta does not levy CGT on disposal of shares/bonds/units | | CGT on immovable property? | Property Transfer Tax applies (not CGT) | | Primary legislation | Income Tax Act Cap. 123; Duty on Documents and Transfers Act Cap. 364 | | Tax authority | Commissioner for Revenue (cfr.gov.mt) | | Verified by | Pending — Malta warranted accountant sign-off required |

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Section 2 — Capital Gains on Securities: Not Taxed

Malta does NOT impose capital gains tax on the disposal of:

• Shares in any company (Maltese or foreign)
• Bonds and debentures
• Units in collective investment schemes
• Other securities

This applies to:

• Malta tax residents (domiciled and non-domiciled)
• Non-residents disposing of securities in Malta companies

Exception: gains that arise in the course of a trade or business of dealing in securities are treated as trading income, not capital gains, and are taxed at normal income tax rates.

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Section 3 — Property Transfers: Property Transfer Tax (PTT)

Transfers of immovable property in Malta are subject to Property Transfer Tax (PTT), not CGT. PTT operates as a final withholding tax on the vendor.

Scenario	Rate
Property held for >3 years (general)	8% of transfer value
Property held for <3 years	12% of transfer value
Inherited property	7% of transfer value
Principal private residence (owner-occupied, main home)	0% on first €200,750 of gains; 8% thereafter
Property acquired before 1 January 2004	Transferor may elect to pay 10% on gain instead of 8% on value
Social accommodation / social housing	Reduced rates apply

PTT is computed on the transfer value (market value or consideration, whichever is higher), not on the gain. The vendor's conveyancing notary withholds and remits to the CFR on deed of transfer.

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Section 4 — Crypto Assets

Malta does not have specific CGT legislation for crypto assets. The CFR has not issued formal guidance treating crypto disposals as capital gains. Gains from crypto trading may be treated as:

• Trading income (if conducted as a business) — taxed at normal rates
• Capital receipts (if investment activity) — no CGT applies

This remains an area without definitive formal guidance. Flag for professional advice.

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Section 5 — Exit from Malta: No Exit Tax on Securities

Malta does not impose an exit tax on unrealised gains when an individual ceases Malta tax residency. Assets (including shares) can be retained and sold after departure without Malta claiming the pre-departure gain.

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Section 6 — Sources

• Income Tax Act, Chapter 123
• Duty on Documents and Transfers Act, Chapter 364
• Commissioner for Revenue: cfr.gov.mt/en/transfer-duty

Working paper only. Have a qualified Malta warranted accountant review before acting.