Malta

On 26 October 2026, the Maltese Minister for Finance presented the Budget for the 2027 legislature to Parliament, branding it the most significant budget of his six-year tenure. The budget underscores Malta’s economic resilience, projecting the highest GDP growth in the European Union, and introduces a suite of tax policy measures aimed at sustaining competitiveness,

On 21 October 2026, the Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA) formally announced the introduction of a new €2 Union Handling Fee applicable to online purchases of goods imported from outside the European Union, effective 1 November 2026. This measure implements the European Union’s regulatory framework for cross-border e-commerce under Regulation (EU) 2024/1152, which amends

As of 1 November 2026, the European Union will implement a new €2 Union handling fee on low-value parcels entering the customs territory, introduced by the revised EU Customs Code published on 16 September 2026. This fee replaces the previous €3 customs duty relief threshold and aims to streamline customs processing for the rapidly growing

The European Commission has formally proposed a legislative extension of the VAT anti-fraud measures embedded in Articles 199a and 199b of the VAT Directive (2006/112/EC), which are currently set to expire in June 2026. The proposal seeks to prolong the application of the optional Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) and the Quick Reaction Mechanism (QRM) until

On 9 October 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted the latest update to the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The revision results in significant movements between Annex I (the blacklist) and Annex II (the grey list of jurisdictions that have committed to reforms). Panama and Viet Nam have been removed

On 7 October 2026, the Malta Maritime Forum formally presented its position on the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to the Maltese Parliament. The submission addresses the extension of EU ETS to maritime transport, which requires shipping companies to surrender allowances for verified CO2 emissions from 2024 onwards. The Forum’s position seeks to

On 5 October 2026, the Malta Ministry for Finance published the Pre-Budget Consultation Document for the 2027 fiscal year, initiating the formal stakeholder engagement process ahead of the Budget presentation scheduled for 26 October 2026. This consultation document serves as a critical policy signaling tool, outlining the government’s preliminary fiscal priorities, potential tax measures, and

The Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA) released comprehensive guidelines on 5 October 2026 detailing the transitory measures applicable when a legislative change alters the VAT classification of specific supplies from taxable to exempt. This guidance addresses the complex VAT implications during the transition period, ensuring legal certainty for businesses that supply goods or services

On 1 October 2026, Prime Minister Robert Abela addressed the General Workers Union (GWU) outlining the strategic direction for Malta’s Budget 2027. The speech emphasized fiscal stability, targeted tax relief for working families, and incentives to sustain foreign direct investment (FDI) attractiveness. While specific tax measures were not fully detailed in the address, the Prime