Cross-border comparison
Ireland vs Malta: Where Should You Incorporate in 2026?
A side-by-side analysis of cost, tax, banking, privacy, and remote formation for Ireland (Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD)) vs Malta (Private Limited Company (Ltd)).
The numbers, side by side
| Ireland | Malta | |
|---|---|---|
| Entity type | Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD) | Private Limited Company (Ltd) |
| Region | Europe | Europe |
| Filing fee (one-off) | $55 | $260 |
| Annual fee | $22 | $110 |
| Registered agent / corp sec | Not required | ~$1000/yr |
| Headline corporate tax | 12.5% | 35% |
| Effective tax note | 12.5% trading income, 25% passive. 15% top-up for global revenue > €750M (Pillar 2). | Headline 35%, but 6/7 tax refund to non-resident shareholders makes effective rate ~5%. |
| VAT / GST | 23% | 18% |
| Minimum paid-up capital | Nominal | $1,300 |
| Processing time | 5 days | 10 days |
| Remote formation | ||
| Banking accessibility | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Privacy score | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| UBO register public | ||
| Stripe available | ||
| PayPal Business | ||
| Wise Business |
Ireland: when it wins
- 12.5% trading rate
- EU member
- Native English
- Strong tech ecosystem
Trade-offs
- EEA-resident director required (or bond)
- Pillar 2 for large MNCs
CRO registration fee €50; B1 annual return €20 (online).
Malta: when it wins
- Effective 5% via refund system
- EU member
- English-speaking
Trade-offs
- Min capital €1,200 (20% paid-up)
- Audit required
- Complex refund process
Refund: 6/7 for trading income → 5%; 5/7 for passive → 10%; 2/3 for treaty relief.
Decision framework
- Want the cheapest setup? Compare year-1 totals: Ireland $77 vs Malta $370.
- Want the lowest tax? Look at effective rate, not headline. 12.5% in Ireland vs 35% in Malta; check both effective-tax notes above for exemptions.
- Need Stripe + Wise + Mercury? Ireland payments stack: Stripe ✅, Wise ✅. Malta: Stripe ✅, Wise ✅.
- Privacy is critical? Ireland (4/10, UBO public) vs Malta (5/10, UBO public).
- Forming remotely? Ireland: fully remote. Malta: fully remote.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to form, Ireland or Malta?
Ireland is cheaper: ~$77 year-1 vs ~$370 for Malta.
Which has lower corporate tax, Ireland or Malta?
Ireland has the lower headline rate at 12.5% vs 35% in Malta. 12.5% trading income, 25% passive. 15% top-up for global revenue > €750M (Pillar 2).
Can I open a Stripe account in both Ireland and Malta?
Stripe in Ireland: ✅ supported. Stripe in Malta: ✅ supported.
Is remote formation possible?
Ireland: Yes, fully remote. Malta: Yes, fully remote.
What about privacy of beneficial owners?
Ireland's UBO register is public and privacy scored 4/10. Malta's UBO register is public and privacy scored 5/10.