Article 214A of the Companies Act, lets eligible dormant companies opt for simplified dissolution. Here’s what qualifies and how the registry process actually runs.
| 6 months
Minimum company age and clean trading history required |
€5,000
Maximum asset value to qualify — applies to every applicant |
3 months
Registrar notice period before strike-off becomes final |
Closing a company in Malta has traditionally been a lengthy, costly, and often frustrating process – including liquidator appointments, ongoing compliance filings, and a process that could run for years. Article 214A of the Companies Act changes that for a defined category of dormant companies — no liquidator, far fewer steps, and a fixed timeline to strike-off.
What is simplified dissolution?
Simplified dissolution allows certain inactive private companies to be struck off the Malta Business Registry without a formal liquidation. It was introduced by Legal Notice 286 of 2025 and has been in force since 16 December 2025. This approach significantly reduces both time and administrative burden, making it an attractive option for many business owners. The trade-off for speed is a strict eligibility gate — this isn’t a shortcut around compliance, it’s an alternate route for companies that are already clean.
Eligibility checklist
A company must be registered for at least six months and cannot be a public company or a regulated entity. In the six months before applying, it must not have:
x Changed its name
x Carried on trade or business activity
x Employed anyone beyond its officers
x Outstanding filings or Registrar penalties
x Had any shares pledged
x Entered contracts, other than with service providers
Directors must also confirm, at the time of the filing
✓ Assets do not exceed €5,000 in value
✓ Creditors are discharged, except for current officer fees, current service providers and shareholder loans
✓ No pending court or judicial proceedings
✓ No sums due to government bodies
✓ All statutory filings are up to date
✓ All bank accounts have been closed
✓ VAT de-registration filed, where applicable
How the process actually runs
| 1 | SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
Extraordinary resolution Shareholders formally approve adopting the simplified dissolution procedure under Article 214A. |
| 2 | FILING
Directors submit relevant statutory forms Signed by all directors, accompanied by the statutory confirmations listed above. |
| 3 | REGISTRAR REVIEW
Public notice is published Once satisfied, the Registrar publishes notice in the Government Gazette, on its website, and in a daily newspaper. |
| 4 | 3-MONTH WINDOW
Creditors may object Interested parties can apply to the court for restoration during this period. Directors retain full responsibility throughout. |
| 5 | OUTCOME
Company is struck off With no upheld objection, the company is formally removed from the register at the end of the notice period. |
It is important to note that directors remain liable for any company obligations even after dissolution, and false declarations carry significant penalties. Additionally, interested parties may apply to the court to restore the company’s name after striking off.
Why this matters
For years, the harder problem in Malta wasn’t starting a company — it was closing one. Simplified dissolution addresses the four pain points that came up most often with clients:
| Faster exit
No multi-year wait for a liquidation to be finalised. |
Lower cost
No ongoing liquidator fees or administrative overhead. |
| Fewer steps
One filing and a fixed notice period, not an open-ended process. |
Built for dormancy
A clean fit for structures no longer needed. |
Is it right for your company?
| 01 | Dormant or inactive companies with no current trading activity. |
| 02 | Surplus holding companies no longer required within a group structure, provided assets stay under €5,000. |
| 03 | Low-risk structures with no ongoing operations, disputes, or exposure. |
Each case still needs a proper eligibility review before filing — getting a declaration wrong is costlier than the time the simplified route saves.
Thinking of closing a company?
We assess eligibility upfront, confirm compliance with the MBR and tax authorities, and manage the filings end to end — so the simplified route stays simple.
Contact us for more information
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