Aspects of Maltese Company Law 2026 - A Virtual Conference

Tuesday 01 December 2026

09:30 - Introduction

Vanessa Azzopardi

09.45 - The New EU FDI Screening Regulation: What’s Changed and What’s Next

Bethany Magro.

This session will provide a practical overview of the new EU Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Screening Regulation, examining how the EU framework for reviewing foreign investments is evolving and what these changes mean in practice for the National FDI Screening Office, investors and advisors.

10.45 - Break

11.00 - Amendments to the Companies Act

Dr Dorita Cardona

The Companies (Amendment) Act, 2026 (Bill No. 7) introduces a comprehensive set of strategic amendments to the Companies Act (Chapter 386 of the Laws of Malta) which are designed to enhance practicality and legislative alignment with existing European Union legislation, enable the effective implementation and enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2022/2560 on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market, introduce modern preventive restructuring and insolvency systems, and establish a technology-neutral framework for digital and decentralized financial markets. Additionally, the amendments introduce new criteria requiring every Maltese company to maintain a clear nexus with the jurisdiction.

Thursday 03 December 2026

09:30 - Introduction

Vanessa Azzopardi

09.45 - Recent Legislative Amendments to the Companies Act (Register of Beneficial Owners) Regulations

Dr Stephanie Spiteri Vassallo

The Companies Act (Register of Beneficial Owners) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, introduced by Legal Notice 184 of 2026, represents a significant step in strengthening Malta's beneficial ownership framework. The amendments form part of the ongoing implementation of Directive (EU) 2024/1640 (the 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive) and are intended to enhance the accuracy, transparency and reliability of beneficial ownership information, whilst ensuring alignment with European Union requirements and international standards.

Notably, the amendments have introduced a number of key reforms, including a simplified reporting regime for companies with straightforward ownership structures, revised beneficial ownership forms, enhanced verification powers for the Registrar, strengthened obligations on companies to maintain accurate and up-to-date beneficial ownership information, and a revised three-tier access regime to the Register of Beneficial Owners.

10.45 - Break

11.00 - Harmonisation of Insolvency Laws – Myth or Reality?

Dr Ingrid Hamilton

The session will give an overview of the evolving process of harmonisation of insolvency law throughout the European Union, with particular focus on the recently adopted Directive (EU) 2026/799 harmonising certain aspects of insolvency law.

The session will consider the extent to which genuine harmonisation of insolvency laws

across the EU is both realistic and desirable, and the likely practical effects of greater convergence. Harmonisation can contribute to reducing legal uncertainty for cross-border investors, improving recovery outcomes and facilitating the free movement of capital. It therefore forms an important part of the broader objective of developing deeper and more integrated European capital markets, supporting investment, competitiveness and the green and digital transitions.

Particular attention will be given to Directive (EU) 2026/799, which marks an important development in this process. Rather than creating a uniform European insolvency regime, the Directive adopts a targeted approach to harmonisation, establishing common minimum rules in areas considered particularly important for the efficiency and predictability of insolvency proceedings. These include avoidance actions, asset tracing, pre-pack proceedings, directors duties in the vicinity of insolvency, creditors; committees and greater transparency of national insolvency regimes.

The session will therefore examine whether the Directive represents a decisive step towards substantive harmonisation or instead illustrates the continuing limits of EU intervention in an area traditionally governed by national law. Finally, consideration will be given to the implications of the Directive for Malta and its transposition into Maltese law, including the areas in which existing Maltese insolvency rules may require adaptation before the transposition deadline.

The Speakers

Bethany Magro holds a degree in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of Bath. Since 2021, she has served as Chief Operations Officer at the National Foreign Direct Investment Screening Office (NFDIS), the authority responsible for implementing Chapter 620 of the Laws of Malta on the screening of foreign direct investment. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of NFDIS and liaises with the European Commission and Member State authorities on matters related to FDI screening on grounds of security and public order. She also represents Malta in relevant national and EU-level FDI fora, contributing to policy discussions and advancing positions that safeguard Malta’s and the EU’s security interests within the FDI screening framework.

Dr Dorita Cardona heads the Legal and Enforcement Unit at the Malta Business Registry. She obtained her Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta in 2010 and was called to the Bar in 2011.

With over 15 years in private practice with one of the leading law firms in Malta, she has obtained practical expertise in corporate law, general civil and commercial law, as well property law, inheritance and estate planning.

She has acted as company secretary to a number of companies registered in Malta and regularly assisted in relation to matters of corporate governance. She has also been involved in debt collection cases and acted on behalf of clients in proceedings before the Courts of Malta and tribunals. Throughout her career, Dr Cardona has built a reputation for delivering strategic legal advice and solutions to a diverse range of clients, from individuals and small enterprises to large corporations. Moreover, she has been actively involved in the setting up of foundations, NGOs and voluntary organisations.

Dr Stephanie Spiteri Vassallo is a Senior Professional Officer within the Legal and Enforcement Unit at the Malta Business Registry. She graduated with a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta in 2010 and was called to the Bar in 2011. In 2015, she obtained a Diploma in Taxation from the Malta Institute of Taxation. Dr Spiteri Vassallo commenced her legal career with a local law firm, where she advised and represented clients in civil and family law matters. She subsequently held the positions of In-House Legal Counsel and Senior Associate, the latter with a boutique law firm specialising in international taxation and international business. In her current role at the Malta Business Registry, she is involved in various legislative and regulatory matters relating to company law, beneficial ownership and corporate transparency, and has been involved in the implementation of a number of significant legislative reforms in these areas.

Dr Ingrid Hamilton was appointed Official Receiver and Head of the Insolvency and Receivership Service within the Malta Business Registry in April 2023. Prior to her appointment, she was a Senior Associate with one of Malta’s leading law firms within its shipping and aviation department, focusing primarily on matters related to asset management and finance in the shipping and aviation sector. Dr Hamilton graduated Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in 2010 and furthered her studies with a Master of Arts degree in Matrimonial Canon Law and Jurisprudence. She was called to the Bar in 2011, obtaining her warrant to practice in the Maltese Courts.