When operating or running your business in Malta, one thing that you will come to need is a registered office within the country. According to the Malta Business Registry, the entity that registers all businesses operating in Malta, the registered office may be at the office of a local firm of lawyers, accountants or other providers of corporate services. 

What is a business address?

Well, before we can delve into setting up a registered address for your business, let us take a look at what a registered address is. Essentially, this is the official address of a business that would receive important documents and mail that’s directed to its officers and shareholders. Essentially it’s a place where the mail can be securely delivered, and it must be physically in Malta even if you are conducting your business’ duties from a foreign country.

One of the main questions when setting up a business address is whether one can use their personal, home address for their business as well. And the simple answer to this is yes, but not in all cases. When it comes to a start-up business, this might not be allowed. Additionally, if you are renting out a property, and therefore, your home is not owned by you, you need to get permission from your landlord on whether you can list down their premises as the registered business address. There might also be a clause in your rental agreement that allows you or forbids you from doing this, so it would definitely be best to check that out before getting in touch with your landlord.

Different solutions for your business address

Well, if you’re here, it means that you’re trying to understand what are the different options for you when setting up your registered business address to be able to operate your business in Malta. We’re here to let you know all about the various options available as well as to help you identify the best one for you!

1. Rent an office space
   
   Well the fastest way to do this is to find an office space to rent. Office spaces have a commercial license and therefore you should not have any issues at all registering your business address here. However, you will need written approval from your landlord for each company that you want to register at the address.
   
2. Register your address at your lawyer or accountant office
   
   When operating a business, you’re going to have to engage a lawyer and an accountant on some level. Especially if you’re engaging someone that operates through an established firm, you can look into registering your business at the firm’s address. However, due to legal stipulations, which limit the amount of companies that can be registered at a corporate service provider’s office, this is only a temporary solution.
   
3. Look into coworking spaces
   
   If you don’t afford renting a full office space or registering your address at a lawyer or accounting firm (which should always only be a temporary solution as it does not constitute proper substance), then you might be interested in looking at other alternatives – like a coworking space. Renting out a hot desk at a coworking space gives you the opportunity to not only have a space where you can get down to business, but also have a location where you can register your business address. Most coworking spaces, like Glashaus, offer you options to register your company at their address, which gives you all the legal substance you might need to prove that you actually run a business.
   
4. Get your business address by registering yourself for a virtual office
   
   While you might want to operate your business in Malta, it is not necessary for you to be physically in Malta. So if you are running services in Malta from abroad, this virtual office registration might be the best option for you. Registering your business at a virtual office means that you can stay independent, travel the world and still run your business with a stable location. You will find a variety of virtual office options around Malta, one of which is Glashaus Coworking Space. 
   
   However, with Malta’s new legislation, virtual offices have their limitations now. That is why Glashaus Coworking Space’s offering is only called a Virtual Office, but you will get so much more than just the opportunity to register your business in a prestigious location right at the seafront. Glashaus provides you with actual office space, i.e. a dedicated desk and meeting room (including all amenities such as free coffee, water, etc.), which you rent and are able to use as part of your membership one day per month (or more at an additional fee). Furthermore, you can receive mail and choose to have it forwarded to you by post or scan via email. Your scanned mail will also then be stored at the office unless you decide you would like it forwarded.

Bonus – What documents should you keep at your business address

One thing you should keep in mind, whatever option you decide to choose, is that your registered address needs to hold important documents in relation to you and your operations. These documents are:

• Business incorporation documents
• Memorandum & Articles of Association (Not registered yet)
• Copy of Director(s) or Beneficial Owner(s) passport 
• Annual Accounts
• Amongst others

Ready to take the next step in registering your business in Malta? See how Glashaus Coworking Space can help you!