Navigating the New Micro Invest Scheme (2026–2030): Key Changes and How Your Business Can Benefit

Malta Enterprise has published official guidelines for the Micro Invest Scheme covering 2026 through 2030. Designed to support small enterprises, start-ups, family businesses, social enterprises, and self-employed individuals, the scheme provides substantial fiscal aid in the form of tax credits for business growth, digital transformation, wage expansion, and capital investments.

Below is a summary of the eligibility requirements, funding caps, eligible expenses, and critical timelines to help you maximize your claims under the updated regulations.

Key Highlights & Aid Intensity

Under the updated framework, the base rate of support has been enhanced:

• Standard Aid Rate: Up to 65% tax credit on eligible costs incurred.
• Gozo Operating Bonus: Undertakings operating from Gozo receive an additional 20% bonus, raising total aid up to 85% tax credit.
• Base Capping: Up to €65,000 over any rolling three (3) year period per applicant undertaking.
• Top-Up Allowance: An additional €20,000 allowance (increasing the total 3-year cap to €85,000) is available to applicants that qualify as:
  • Businesses operating from Gozo.
  • Registered Family Businesses.
  • Registered Social Enterprises.
  • Female-owned Businesses (majority-owned/controlled by women).

State Aid Limit: Overall claims remain subject to the EU de minimis Regulation capping total de minimis aid across a single undertaking at €300,000 over a 3-year period.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the scheme, applicant undertakings must meet the following baseline conditions:

• Employment: Employ at least one (1) person (full-time or part-time) and no more than 50 full-time employees at the time of application. Self-employed individuals registered with Jobsplus qualify.
• VAT Registration: Be duly registered with the VAT department (unless exempted).
• Compliance: Have no outstanding dues in Social Security Contributions, Income Tax, or VAT (or be operating under an approved repayment agreement).

What Costs Are Eligible?

Individual invoices claimed must have a minimum value of €500 (excluding VAT) and be fully backed by proper fiscal documentation (Tax Invoices or Fiscal Receipts).

1. Increase in Wage Costs

• Overall Wage Increase: Supports net increases in full-time employee wage costs exceeding €5,000 when compared against baseline historical years, rewarded with up to a 65% tax credit (or 85% for Gozo operations).
• Retention Top-Up (4+ Years Service): A specific fiscal top-up applies to wage increases given in 2026 and 2027 to employees who have been with the firm for over 4 years. Where wages increase by at least 3% per annum (including COLA), businesses can claim up to €780 per employee/year in Malta (65%) or €1,020 per employee/year in Gozo (85%) for up to two consecutive years.

2. Tangible Assets & Business Equipment

• Industrial machinery, electro-mechanical equipment, and digital hardware required for business operations.
• Portable digital equipment (e.g., laptops, tablets, mobile phones), capped at the number of full-time employees.
• Commercial vehicles (Categories N1, N2, N3, O) for manufacturing, construction, freight, and repair sectors.
• Passenger transport vehicles (Categories M1—capped at €10,000 eligible value—M2, M3, and hearses) for licensed transport operators.
• Commercial vessels and aircraft licensed by Transport Malta.
• Furniture, office furnishings, shop show windows, signage, and internal/external apertures.

3. Digital Solutions & Web Infrastructure

• Packaged software solutions and SaaS setups (including the first 12 months of license fees).
• Custom software, app, and website development tied to a pre-signed project agreement.
• Web upgrades designed to enhance accessibility for disadvantaged persons (certified by FITA).

4. Premises Refurbishment

• Structural and finishing works carried out on exclusively business-operated premises.
• Must be backed by a Bill of Quantities certified by a warranted Perit and supported by legal title/licensing documentation.

Claim Rolling Period & Processing Timelines

Enterprises may submit one (1) application per calendar year. An application can retroactively group eligible costs incurred across the preceding three (3) calendar years (starting from 1st January 2026), provided those costs were not previously claimed and awarded.

How We Can Assist You

Navigating tax credit incentives, verifying eligible costs, and meeting processing deadlines can be complex. Our firm can fully assist you throughout the entire application process. Contact us today to discuss how we can help maximize your incentive claims under the Micro Invest Scheme.