Malta: Tax measures in 2026 budget
Individual, business, and indirect tax proposals
The 2026 budget introduces tax-related proposals aimed at supporting families, businesses, and economic growth. Key tax provisions include:
- Individual (personal) tax
- Reduction in tax via introduction of new “parent” and “married” tax bands for families with children under 18 years old, or under 23 if in full-time education
 - Permanent extension of the first-time buyer scheme, including exemptions on duty for residential property purchases
 - Reduced duty rate of 3.5% on the first €400,000 of inherited property (previously €200,000)
 
 - Business tax
- Increase in maximum Micro Invest Scheme tax credits to €65,000 for Malta-based businesses and €85,000 for Gozo-based businesses
 - Introduction of a new investment tax credit offering 60% of qualifying capital expenditure, claimed over four years
 - Accelerated tax depreciation over two years for qualifying investments in digitalization, automation, and cybersecurity
 - 175% tax deduction for eligible research and development (R&D) expenditures
 - Extension of reduced duty rate of 1.5% on intra-family transfers of businesses
 
 - Indirect tax
- Eco-contribution increased from €0.50 to €1.50 per night to fund tourism infrastructure and environmental improvements
 - Development of measures to contribute to a reliable indirect tax framework for industries such as gaming
 
 
Read an October 2025 report prepared by the KPMG member firm in Malta