The Micro Invest Scheme, administered by Malta Enterprise, is a fiscal incentive designed to encourage investment, innovation, and growth among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including startups, family-run businesses, and self-employed individuals. As of 2025, the scheme offers tax credits of up to 45% on eligible expenditures, with potential increases to 65% for qualifying applicants.

Key Advantages of the Micro Invest Scheme

The scheme provides tax credits that can be used to reduce taxable liabilities, enabling companies to reinvest those savings back into their businesses. Eligible businesses can receive up to €50,000 in tax relief over three consecutive fiscal years. This cap increases to €70,000 for businesses that operate from Gozo, are registered as family businesses, or have more than 50% female ownership.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Micro Invest Scheme, businesses must meet the following requirements:

• Company Size: Employ no more than 50 full-time employees during the year in which the costs were incurred.
• Annual Turnover: The turnover or annual balance sheet total must not exceed €10 million in the fiscal year preceding the application.
• Employment Status: At the date of application, the undertaking must employ at least one person on a full-time or part-time basis.
• VAT Compliance: Unless exempted, the undertaking should be duly registered with the VAT Department.

Certain sectors, such as fisheries and agriculture, may be excluded under the de minimis regulation.

Qualifying Expenditures

The Micro Invest Scheme covers a wide range of business-related expenses, including:

• Wage Cost Increases: Wage cost increases exceeding 3% of the highest wage costs of the previous two fiscal years.
• Premises Upgrades: Costs incurred for furbishing, refurbishing, and upgrading business premises by unrelated third parties, supported by photographic evidence of the work undertaken.
• Investment in Equipment: Acquisition of new machinery, systems to produce alternative energy or improve energy efficiency, and tangible and intangible assets such as computer hardware, packaged software solutions, and development costs for digital applications, websites, and new software systems.

Application Process and Deadlines

For investments made in 2024, applications should be submitted by:

• Self-employed applicants: 26 March 2025
• Company applicants: 28 May 2025

Late applications may be accepted until 26 November 2025.

Why Choose FACT?

At FACT, we offer comprehensive guidance to help businesses take full advantage of the Micro Invest Scheme. Our team of experts provides hands-on support in determining eligibility, gathering and preparing documentation, and navigating the application process. We understand the importance of timely submissions and detailed record-keeping to maximize tax credits and ensure compliance with Malta Enterprise requirements. With FACT’s expertise, businesses can streamline the tax credit process, enabling them to focus on growth and operational success.

For personalized assistance with your Micro Invest Scheme application, contact FACT today.