Register your aircraft in Malta

The Malta Aircraft Registration Act of 2010 is the essential wellspring of Maltese Law on airplane registration. The demonstration gives the arrangements of the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment, which means to normalize exchanges including movable property such as  aircraft.

Malta‘s proactive improvement of its public regulation has laid out the best climate to help the development of the avionics business, which produces huge monetary incentive for the Maltese islands. Registering an aircraft as a private jet or a corporate jet in Malta has become an interesting opportunity.

This ensures that the third parties’ rights are enforceable and the international interests are protected, irrespective of the aircraft’s nature. 

The origin of this Act brought about Malta having one of the most respectable airplane enlists and helping the country’s flight area. This makes co-possession legitimate and permits numerous financial backers to enroll as the owners of the airplane. Co-funding and various security interests can be enrolled as discrete parts, financeable by various creditors. In addition, the Act perceives trusts as proprietors.

Advantages associated with registering an airplane in Malta

The upsides of having a Malta-registered airplane are not at all short.

The principal attractions can be summarized as follows:

• Transparency of all rights and interests in airplane;
• Broad registration opportunities for all airplanes, whether utilized for private or business air transport;
• Assistance of requirement of mortgages and other security interests;
• No withholding tax on lease payments where the lessor is not a tax resident of Malta;
• Relevance of the Cape Town Convention gives lenders a more significant level of insurance and more compelling implementation cures while permitting lower borrowing costs;
• Tax refunds to shareholders on distribution of profits;

Qualified standards to register an airplane in Malta

The qualification criteria for non-residents of Malta relies upon whether the airplane is for private or business purposes.

Under Maltese regulation, a working permit might be allowed by the Transport Malta Civil Aviation Directorate (TMCAD) under specific circumstances, including privileges of access to specific routes or markets, as may be specified in the permit.

An air transport undertaking giving air transport administrations must show, to the satisfaction of the TMCAD, that:

• its chief business environment and, if any, its registered office is situated in Malta;
• its fundamental occupation is air transport, in confinement or joined with some other business activity of airplane or fix and upkeep of airplane;
• it is owned and continues to be owned directly or through larger part proprietorship by EU member states or nationals of member states, which must consistently have viable control of the air transport undertaking; and
• it is in control of a valid air operator’s certificate (AOC) determining the activities to be detailed in the working permit.

Criteria to fulfill to get a permit/license

Nationality’s requirements to satisfied in order get a permit

Under Maltese law, a candidate must satisfy two criteria:

• Its principal place of business and, if any, its registered office should be situated in Malta; and
• Over half of its shareholding must be owned and effectively controlled by EU member states and/or nationals of member states through one or more intermediate undertakings.

Financial requirements to satisfied in order to obtain a licence

An undertaking applying for an operating permit should prove to the TMCAD that:

• it can meet its actual obligations established under realistic assumptions, for a period of 2 years from the start of operations; and
• it can meet its operational expenses incurred by operations, according to its business strategy and established under realistic assumptions, for a period of three months from the beginning of operations, without considering any pay from its operations.

For the purposes of demonstrating the financial requirements, each applicant must submit a business strategy.

Qualifying registrants might enroll one or numerous airplanes in Malta under different limits.

Tax Benefits for Private Aircraft in Malta

Air transport undertakings that are registered outside Malta but managed in Malta are taxable in Malta on a source and settlement basis; while air transport endeavors that are registered in Malta are taxed on their worldwide income.

Personal tax in respect to qualifying employment in aviation.

Under the Qualifying Employment in Aviation (Personal Tax) Rules, expatriates that hold a qualified job or office under a passing business contract in the flight business in Malta might pick to profit from a reduced flat rate of  tax of 15% on their work pay got from work or obligations completed in Malta.

Formal and documentary requirements for Aircraft registration

Under Maltese regulation, the process for registration of an airplane is administered by the Aircraft Registration Act (Chapter 503 of the Laws of Malta). Under this demonstration, an airplane might be enlisted in the National Aircraft Register by the following people:

• government of Malta
• a resident of Malta or a resident of a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, who has a home or business in Malta; or
• an undertaking shaped and existing in accordance with the laws of Malta, of an EU or EEA member state, which has its registered office, central administration and principal place of business inside Malta, the European Union, the EEA or Switzerland, where at least 50% of the undertaking is owned and effectively controlled by the government of Malta, or by any EU member state, or by persons referred to in the second point above, through at least one intermediate undertakings.

Moreover, a natural person who is a citizen of, or an undertaking established in, an approved jurisdiction, may register an aircraft in construction or which isn’t utilized to give air services, subject to the satisfaction of a number of criteria stipulated in the Aircraft Registration Act.

Furthermore, qualifying registrants may register an aircraft in Malta in any one of the following capacities:

• as a proprietor operating an aircraft;
• as a proprietor of an aircraft under construction or temporarily not being operated or managed;
• as an administrator of an aircraft under a temporary title; or
• as a purchaser of an aircraft under a conditional sale or title reservation agreement approved to operate the aircraft.

Besides aircraft registration, Malta also has legal professionals, insurance and funding, and other ancillary help administrations.

Damalion experts help entrepreneurs and family business groups to register their private or corporate jet in Malta. We also help airline companies to get their Air Operator Certificate. Contact your Damalion Aircraft registration expert now.

Register your aircraft in Malta — who can apply, documents, 9H marks, ownership and operator options, mortgages and IDERA, timing and costs.

For private owners, corporate flight departments, lessors, financiers, and airlines • Damalion helps you prepare a clear file so authorities and banks can review efficiently. Approval is always the authority’s decision.

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Why Malta

Malta offers a respected EU aircraft register (mark 9H-xxx). The framework follows EASA and international standards and supports clear recording of ownership, operator, and creditor rights.

Documents you usually need

• Proof of identity and address for individuals; corporate papers and representation for companies.
• Proof of ownership or right to register (bill of sale, lease, novation, title chain).
• Operator details and intended use (private or commercial; AOC where relevant).
• Airworthiness and maintenance status, manuals, technical records.
• Mortgage or other security details if a lender requests registration.
• Any IDERA or deregistration power if agreed by the parties.
• Notarization/apostille or certified translations if required.

Private and commercial at a glance

Topic	Private use	Commercial use
Typical holder	Owner or SPV with a designated operator	AOC holder or lessee with operational approvals
Core documents	Title/right to register, operator details, airworthiness	As private + AOC reference and ops approvals
Financing	Mortgage/charge can be recorded	Same; leases may also be recorded when required
Outcome	9H-xxx marks and certificate after checks	9H-xxx marks and certificates after checks

How the process commonly runs

1. Confirm roles. Owner, operator, or both; check eligibility rules.
2. Collect documents. Title/right to register, IDs, corporate papers, maintenance status.
3. Submit application. Include intended use and technical data.
4. Authority checks. Identity, ownership, and airworthiness are reviewed. Follow-ups may apply.
5. Marks and certificates. 9H marks are issued and airworthiness is confirmed.

Costs and timing

• Official fees for registration, airworthiness, and any recorded security.
• Corporate and representation costs depend on structure and scope.
• With a complete file and ready aircraft, decisions are often made in a short timeframe.

Related reading

• Register your aircraft in Malta
• Main reasons to register in Malta
• Aircraft registration (private jet / business jet)
• Damalion aviation services

Frequently asked questions (legal tone)

Who may be recorded as registrant in Malta?

Individuals and legal entities that meet Malta’s eligibility rules. Non-EU owners may register through an eligible operator or resident agent. Eligibility is assessed under national law and applicable EU rules.

Which mark is assigned to aircraft registered in Malta?

Malta uses the nationality mark 9H- followed by three letters or numbers, assigned after the authority approves the application.

Is an aircraft required to be physically in Malta to register?

No. Physical presence is not mandatory if legal and technical requirements are met and inspections or verifications can be completed as required by the authority.

Can a mortgage be registered over a Maltese-registered aircraft?

Yes. An aircraft mortgage or other recognized security interest can be recorded. Priority follows registration timing and applicable rules.

Does Malta accept an IDERA or deregistration power?

Yes. An irrevocable deregistration and export request authorization (IDERA) or similar instrument may be recorded when legal conditions are satisfied.

Are co-ownership or fractional interests allowed?

Yes. Co-ownership and fractional interests can be recorded so that each interest and any related security are clear.

What technical records are normally reviewed?

Airworthiness status, maintenance history, manuals, status of life-limited parts, AD/SB compliance, and continuing airworthiness arrangements (e.g., CAMO).

How is the operator identified for a privately owned aircraft?

The registrant provides the operator’s details. The operator must comply with applicable operational and maintenance rules. For commercial use, AOC details are required.

Can the aircraft be operated outside Malta after registration?

Yes. Operation may take place outside Malta subject to international, EU, and local operational requirements and any lease or AOC conditions.

What if the aircraft is leased?

Dry and wet leases are possible subject to legal and operational compliance. Lease details may be recorded when required by the authority or the parties.

What happens if ownership changes after registration?

Changes must be notified and supporting title documents filed so the register reflects the current legal owner and any recorded security.

Are there restrictions for certain jurisdictions or persons?

Yes. Sanctions, export controls, and AML/CTF requirements apply. Enhanced checks may apply to high-risk countries, PEPs, or complex structures.

Can a trust or SPV hold title?

Yes. Trusts and special-purpose entities can hold title where the structure and documentation meet Maltese legal requirements and transparency rules.

Is there a resident agent requirement?

Where applicable, a resident agent or local representative must be appointed to receive notices and interface with the authority.

How are airworthiness approvals issued?

After review of the technical file and any inspections, the authority issues the relevant certificate(s). Ongoing compliance and continuing airworthiness arrangements must be maintained.

Can security interests be recorded against fractional shares?

Yes, subject to formalities. Priority and enforcement follow the registration and applicable law.

What language is used for documents?

English is widely accepted. Certified translations may be required for documents issued in other languages.

What taxes apply to registration?

Official fees apply to registration and airworthiness. Tax treatment depends on the parties’ facts and use; independent tax advice is recommended.

How long does registration take?

Time depends on completeness of the file, aircraft readiness, and follow-ups. With a complete and consistent submission, the process is commonly completed in a short timeframe.

Can the authority refuse an application?

Yes. Decisions are made under national and EU rules and the authority’s policies. Another structure or timing may be more suitable for the same aircraft.