Describe the proposed activity
Business 1st is Malta’s one-stop shop for business support and administrative guidance. Begin with a clear description of what you intend to sell or provide, where the activity will happen and whether you plan to employ people. A shop, online service, food business and regulated profession can require different permissions. The business name alone does not tell an adviser which registrations or licences are relevant. Bring the practical model rather than only a broad ambition to become self-employed.
Use the available support channels
The service offers in-person assistance in the Central Business District, a phone route and an online helpdesk. Its FAQs advise having an active eID because many services use it, including during assisted visits. Read the page for the particular service and confirm the documents needed before travelling. Business 1st can help facilitate applications, but the responsible government entities process and approve them; one visit does not promise that every permission will be issued immediately.
Turn guidance into a sequence
Write down the authorities, applications and dependencies identified in the enquiry. Separate business registration, tax, employment and sector-specific matters, then obtain qualified advice where the structure or circumstances require it. Keep references and receipts for each submission. If asking about incentives, use the eligibility rules of the actual scheme rather than assuming all start-ups receive funding. A useful first meeting leaves you with a realistic order of work and clear unanswered questions, not a pile of unrelated forms.
The useful details.
- Describe the actual activity and premises.
- Activate eID if needed for the chosen service.
- Record which authority decides each application.
Sources & updates
Reviewed 2026-10-29. Prices, opening times, transport and access rules can change; use the official sources below before setting off.
