5 September 2026
Open a Bank Account in Malta
Learn how residents and non-residents can open a personal or corporate bank account in Malta. Our Maltese lawyers can guide you through the whole process.
Would you like to open a bank account in Malta for personal use or for corporate matters? You may read this information with updates for 2026, mentioning that our Maltese lawyers are ready to guide you throughout the entire process.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Banking in Malta | If you are a resident, you may need a bank account in Malta to pay bills, rent, or mortgages or apply for loans, credit cards or to save money. For non-residents, having a bank account in Malta may be necessary for business purposes, such as managing investments or savings in Malta. |
Documents required to open a bank account in Malta for natural persons | – passport or ID, – application form issued by the bank, – a recent utility bill, – a bank reference |
Documents required for companies | – passports or IDs copies of each shareholder and manager, – copy after the company’s statutory documents, – company’s certificate of good standing, – bank references for the shareholders and the company, – utility bills stating the Maltese addresses of each shareholder |
| Types of bank accounts in Malta | – personal, – business, – saving account, – merchant, etc. |
| Requirements to travel to Malta (YES/NO) | NO, you do not need to travel to Malta to open a bank account. Contact us and we'll handle all the formalities for your Maltese offshore or non-resident bank account. |
| Time frame for opening bank account in Malta | About 1 – 4 weeks, depending on the bank's due diligence |
| Main banks in Malta | – HSBC Bank Malta, – Bank of Valletta, – BNF Bank, – MeDirect Bank, etc. |
| Currencies in bank accounts in Malta | You can choose to open a bank account in Malta in either the national currency (EUR) or in a foreign currency of your choice. |
| Types of banks to open account with | – commercial banks, – cooperative banks, – foreign banks and their branches |
| Banking Law in Malta | Malta's Banking Law is divided into 10 parts covering the obligations of financial institutions, including licensing, governance, and capital requirements. |
| Facts about banking in Malta | Malta's well-established banks meet EU standards and have diverse portfolios. The efficient banking system with less bureaucracy is appreciated locally and internationally. Our Maltese company formation agents can assist in selecting a bank for your business needs. |
| Merchant bank account | Merchant account services in Malta are available through banks and licensed payment institutions, subject to each provider's acceptance of the business sector. |
| Banking fees | – monthly administration fee (depending on the bank), – ATM fees, – transfer fees, etc. |
| Advantages of opening a bank account in Malta | – opening a bank account in Malta can offer tax advantages for foreigners, – easy and fast process, – many businesses and entrepreneurs have created offshore accounts in Malta |
| Bank account for opening a company in Malta | It is highly recommended to open a bank account when you open a company in Malta for the future business transactions. |
Are there any restrictions on foreigners opening bank accounts in Malta?
No.
What types of bank accounts are available in Malta in 2026?
- personal accounts,
- corporate accounts,
- savings accounts,
- business savings accounts,
- merchant & payment accounts,
- multi-currency accounts, etc.
What are the requirements for opening a personal bank account in Malta?
- a passport or identification papers;
- an application form issued by the bank;
- a recent utility bill;
- a bank reference.
NOTE! There is no need to present a residence permit in Malta for opening a bank account in this country.
Explore this infographic below:
What are the conditions of opening a corporate bank account in Malta in 2026?
- certificate of registration;
- memorandum and articles of the underlying shareholders;
- identity documents (passports) of the owners of the company;
- bank references, containing all the shareholders and directors of the company;
- completion of bank opening forms.
What type of information is solicited by banks for the source of funds?
- proof of salary or wage slips,
- financial statements,
- tax returns,
- investment record,
- utility bills, etc.
Can I open a bank account in Malta remotely?
Yes, you have this option too.
Do I need to deposit a small amount when opening a bank account in Malta?
It depends on the bank. Some financial institutions require a small deposit, while others don’t.
Can I open a Maltese offshore bank account?
Of course, a Maltese offshore bank account follows the same process as a regular account, but the financial institution may request additional information or documents. To simplify this process, we suggest you rely on our lawyers in Malta.
Do banks in Malta perform Know Your Customer (KYC) verifications?
Absolutely! Banks in Malta comply with rigorous EU anti-money laundering regulations and can conduct KYC checks before opening a corporate bank account.
How quickly can a Malta business bank account be opened?
Normally, if all documents are accepted by the bank you intend to work with, a Maltese business bank account can usually be ready in about 1-4 weeks.
Do I have to travel to Malta to open a bank account?
No, there is no need to travel to Malta for this procedure. We can represent clients via power of attorney.
What is the time frame to open a bank account in Malta in 2026?
About 1-4 weeks, depending on the banks’ procedures and compliance.
Are there any extra precautions when opening a bank account in Malta in 2026?
Yes, extra verifications are done for cryptocurrency and blockchain companies, international trading, gambling, etc.
Our lawyers in Malta can provide detailed information on the contents of the Banking Act. For assistance in opening bank accounts in 2026, do not hesitate to contact our law firm in Malta. Our specialists can also help you open an LLC (Private Limited Company) in Malta with a minimum share capital of EUR 1,165.