Malta

Identity Verification & KYC For Malta

Q: What are the KYC requirements in Malta?

Malta's KYC framework, enforced by the MFSA and FIAU, mandates identity verification via government-issued documents, beneficial ownership confirmation at 25%, and risk-based CDD. All records are retained for five years under the PMLA.

Q: How does Malta's risk-based approach to AML compliance work?

The FIAU applies customer risk classification (low, medium, high) based on jurisdictional, sectoral, and customer-specific factors. Risk-based approach determines which CDD tier applies: simplified for low-risk, standard for medium-risk, and enhanced for high-risk customers.

Q: What documents are required for identity verification in Malta?

Malta accepts the Karta tal-Identità (national ID for citizens aged 14+), Passaport Malti, eResidence Document for EU/EEA nationals, and driving licences for KYC. All are subject to biometric liveness detection and document matching.

Q: What is the difference between KYC and KYB in Malta compliance?

KYC verifies individual identity via government-issued documents; KYB verifies legal entities through MBR Registration Certificates, Beneficial Ownership Registers, VAT numbers, and ultimate beneficial owner identities under Malta KYB rules.

Q: How do I report suspicious activity to the FIAU in Malta?

Regulated institutions submit Suspicious Activity Reports to the FIAU via goAML for FIAU compliance Malta obligations. Reports are filed when there is knowledge or suspicion of money laundering or terrorism financing.

Q: What are enhanced due diligence (EDD) requirements for PEPs in Malta?

PEPs in Malta, including House of Assembly members, require senior management approval, source of wealth verification, and enhanced ongoing monitoring. FIAU adverse media screening against Times of Malta and Lovin Malta is applied automatically.

Q: What penalties apply for KYC/AML non-compliance in Malta?

The FIAU imposes civil penalties for PMLA and PMLFTR violations, including failure to conduct CDD, inadequate UBO verification, and poor transaction monitoring. Penalties range from fines to licence revocation; criminal sanctions apply for wilful breaches.

Q: How long does the KYC process take in Malta?

Shufti's automated identity verification completes valid document checks in under five seconds with simultaneous liveness and sanctions screening. Complex cases involving UBO structures or PEP matches typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours.

Q: What is the Malta beneficial ownership register and who must file?

The Beneficial Ownership Register at the MBR records natural persons holding 25% or more of a Maltese entity. Annual confirmations are mandatory and 2025 amendments require nationality declarations. Regulated entities must verify and report UBO data on MFSA and FIAU request.

Shufti supports identity verification and KYC compliance for Malta's financial services, iGaming, and fintech sectors, covering PMLA, MFSA, and FIAU requirements.

Operational performance for Malta KYC

Our Numbers Speak Volumes

96.79%

Pass rates

< 5 sec

Verification
Time

100%

NFC
Verification

Evidence-Ready Checks Across People & Businesses

Individual Documents We Verify

Shufti supports 11 Maltese document types.

View All Supported Documents

Karta tal-Identità

Maltese national e-ID for citizens aged 14+; accepted for KYC Malta requirements across banking, insurance, and financial services regulated under the PMLA.

Passaport Malti

e-Passport issued under ICAO standards; primary identity document for KYC in banking, investment services, iGaming, and cross-border onboarding in Malta.

eResidence Document

Issued to EU/EEA nationals residing in Malta over three months; accepted for CDD and KYC under PMLFTR across MFSA and MGA-regulated financial entities.

Driving Licence

Government-issued photo ID accepted as a supplementary KYC document for lower-risk customers in banking, fintech, and marketplace onboarding across Malta.

Business Entity Identity

Malta Business Registry (MBR) Registration Certificate

Official certificate confirming MBR registration; provides entity name, registration number, and registered office for KYB verification and UBO confirmation.

Certificate of Incorporation

Issued on formation; confirms corporate legal existence, registration number, and shareholder structure required for MFSA and MGA licensing eligibility.

Business Tax Identity

VAT Registration Number

Unique identifier from the Commissioner for Revenue; cross-referenced during KYB to confirm business registration and tax compliance standing in Malta.

PE Number (Employer Registration Number)

Employer registration issued by the Commissioner for Revenue; used in KYB to confirm employment status and tax registration for regulated Maltese entities.

Ownership & Control (UBO)

Beneficial Ownership Register Extract

Official MBR extract listing beneficial owners at 25% or above; mandatory for AML compliance and updated annually under Companies Act and AML regulations.

Memoranda and Articles of Association

Constitutional documents defining shareholding and voting rights; required for UBO identification in complex holding company structures under Maltese AML rules.

Languages We Cover

Maltese And English Document Handling

Malta issues bilingual documents in Maltese and English; Shufti validates both languages and handles Latin-script diacriticals unique to the Maltese alphabet.

Maltese Name Matching Controls

Maltese names include diacriticals (ħ, għ, ie); Shufti preserves these characters to prevent false rejections in PEP and beneficial ownership register lookups.

Evidence Consistency Across Verification Steps

Identity data from document, biometric, and KYB verification steps must align; Shufti reconciles names across stages to meet MFSA evidence consistency rules.

GOVERNANCE & CONTROLS

Audit-Ready Decisions, Lower Operational Drag

Instant Verification Across 11 Document Types

Verify Karta tal-Identità, Passaport Malti, and eResidence in under five seconds. Integrated MBR lookups reduce manual review for iGaming and banking.

Real-Time AML Compliance Malta

Screen continuously against EU Regulations, UN Resolutions, and OFAC lists for AML compliance Malta obligations. Flag PEPs and House of Assembly members.

Biometric Liveness And Face Matching

Combine document verification with facial biometric liveness to block spoofing, deepfake, and synthetic identity fraud in Maltese onboarding workflows.

Malta Financial Compliance Aligned

Meet MFSA KYC requirements for banking and investment services. Satisfy FIAU civil penalty standards for PMLA compliance Malta obligations.

Five-Year Compliance Record Retention

Store CDD records for the PMLA five-year minimum. Encrypt data in transit and at rest to GDPR Article 32. Retrieve audit evidence on demand.

Enterprise-grade compliance infrastructure

Malta IDV/KYC Challenges

FATF Grey List Legacy

Malta exited the FATF grey list in June 2022 but faces ongoing MONEYVAL oversight; beneficial ownership and predicate offence enforcement remain mandatory.

iGaming KYC Complexity

MGA-licensed operators face joint FIAU and MGA compliance cascades; customer due diligence Malta mandates real-time monitoring for all iGaming entities.

Complex UBO Structures

Layered holding companies and trusts complicate UBO tracing; 2025 BO register amendments require nationality declarations for all beneficial owners.

HNWI Residency Programme

The MPRP and Nomad Permit require enhanced due diligence, source of wealth verification, and ongoing compliance monitoring for high-net-worth applicants.

Shufti’s IDV/KYC Solutions for Malta

KYC Solutions

Face Verification

Detects spoofed and synthetic identities in iGaming onboarding. Biometric liveness checks match against Karta tal-Identità and Passaport Malti photographs.

Age Verification

Selfie-based age estimation with document verification for gaming and regulated products. Meets MGA player protection and problem gambling compliance mandates.

Address Verification

Shufti verifies any address-bearing document including Enemalta or GO plc bills and BOV or HSBC Malta bank statements for MFSA residence confirmation.

Document Verification

Automated extraction and biometric matching of Karta tal-Identità, Passaport Malti, eResidence, and Driving Licence with MRZ and liveness detection applied.

KYB Solutions

Business Verification

Verify MBR Registration Certificates, beneficial ownership records, and VAT numbers in real time. Screens UBOs against FIAU adverse media and sanctions lists.

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

PEP screening against FIAU and House of Assembly lists. Source of wealth checks for HNWI residency applicants under MFSA and PMLA EDD compliance requirements.

AML Screening

Business AML Screening

Screens entities against EU Regulations, UN Resolutions, and OFAC lists. Integrates FIAU adverse media from Times of Malta and The Malta Independent sources.

Transaction Screening

Monitors transactions in real time against sanctions lists. Flags patterns matching goAML FIAU reporting obligations for Suspicious Activity Report submission.

REGULATORY ALIGNMENT

Built to Fit Malta's Compliance Landscape

Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)

The MFSA supervises banking, insurance, and investment services in Malta. Shufti meets MFSA KYC thresholds and beneficial ownership verification standards.

Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU)

Malta's FIU receives and analyses financial intelligence for AML enforcement. Shufti integrates FIAU adverse media data and supports goAML SAR reporting.

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)

Malta's gaming regulator enforcing AML and CDD under the Gaming Act Chapter 583. Shufti provides age verification and KYC for MGA-licensed operator compliance.

Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC)

Malta's GDPR supervisory authority under the Data Protection Act Chapter 586. Shufti aligns encryption and retention controls with IDPC enforcement obligations.

Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Malta's digital innovation regulator overseeing fintech and blockchain. Shufti supports MDIA-compliant digital identity workflows for licensed fintech entities.

Malta Business Registry (MBR)

Malta's central company and UBO registry. Shufti integrates live MBR lookups to verify beneficial owner data and support annual confirmation requirements.

Commissioner for Revenue (CFR)

Malta's tax authority issuing VAT and PE numbers. Shufti cross-references CFR-issued identifiers during KYB to confirm business registration and tax compliance.

Deployment Choice

Available via local Maltese data centres (BMIT, CSL) with AWS, Azure, and GCP connectivity, or on-premise to meet enterprise data residency requirements.

Regulatory Alignment

Aligned to GDPR (EU Reg 2016/679) and the Data Protection Act Chapter 586, enforced by the IDPC, covering recordkeeping for regulated KYC and AML operations.

Retention controls

Configurable retention and purge controls aligned to the PMLA five-year minimum for CDD records and transaction documentation required by Maltese AML law.

Encryption posture

Strong encryption applied to personal and financial data in transit and at rest, aligned with GDPR Article 32 technical and organisational security obligations.

Data Controls & Privacy for Malta

BUILT FOR COMPLIANCE TEAMS

Malta AML Sources That Strengthen Decision

House of Assembly (Malta)

Malta Transport Maritime

Focal Maritime Services

Asset Recovery Bureau

Times of Malta

The Malta Independent

Lovin Malta

House of Assembly (Malta)

Malta Transport Maritime

Focal Maritime Services

Asset Recovery Bureau

Times of Malta

The Malta Independent

Lovin Malta

House of Assembly (Malta)

Malta Transport Maritime

Focal Maritime Services

Asset Recovery Bureau

Times of Malta

The Malta Independent

Lovin Malta

House of Assembly (Malta)

Malta Transport Maritime

Focal Maritime Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the KYC requirements in Malta?

Malta's KYC framework, enforced by the MFSA and FIAU, mandates identity verification via government-issued documents, beneficial ownership confirmation at 25%, and risk-based CDD. All records are retained for five years under the PMLA.

How does Malta's risk-based approach to AML compliance work?

The FIAU applies customer risk classification (low, medium, high) based on jurisdictional, sectoral, and customer-specific factors. Risk-based approach determines which CDD tier applies: simplified for low-risk, standard for medium-risk, and enhanced for high-risk customers.

What documents are required for identity verification in Malta?

Malta accepts the Karta tal-Identità (national ID for citizens aged 14+), Passaport Malti, eResidence Document for EU/EEA nationals, and driving licences for KYC. All are subject to biometric liveness detection and document matching.

What is the difference between KYC and KYB in Malta compliance?

KYC verifies individual identity via government-issued documents; KYB verifies legal entities through MBR Registration Certificates, Beneficial Ownership Registers, VAT numbers, and ultimate beneficial owner identities under Malta KYB rules.

How do I report suspicious activity to the FIAU in Malta?

Regulated institutions submit Suspicious Activity Reports to the FIAU via goAML for FIAU compliance Malta obligations. Reports are filed when there is knowledge or suspicion of money laundering or terrorism financing.

What are enhanced due diligence (EDD) requirements for PEPs in Malta?

PEPs in Malta, including House of Assembly members, require senior management approval, source of wealth verification, and enhanced ongoing monitoring. FIAU adverse media screening against Times of Malta and Lovin Malta is applied automatically.

What penalties apply for KYC/AML non-compliance in Malta?

The FIAU imposes civil penalties for PMLA and PMLFTR violations, including failure to conduct CDD, inadequate UBO verification, and poor transaction monitoring. Penalties range from fines to licence revocation; criminal sanctions apply for wilful breaches.

How long does the KYC process take in Malta?

Shufti's automated identity verification completes valid document checks in under five seconds with simultaneous liveness and sanctions screening. Complex cases involving UBO structures or PEP matches typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours.

What is the Malta beneficial ownership register and who must file?

The Beneficial Ownership Register at the MBR records natural persons holding 25% or more of a Maltese entity. Annual confirmations are mandatory and 2025 amendments require nationality declarations. Regulated entities must verify and report UBO data on MFSA and FIAU request.

Build a Malta-ready KYC, KYB & AML programme with Shufti

Check Pricing Request Demo

INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED. GLOBALLY CERTIFIED.

Certified to Global Standards

PROVEN WORKFLOWS

Use Cases for Regulated Growth in Malta

Fintech

Forex

Banking

Gaming

Gig Economy

Crypto

Marketplace

Fintech

Forex

Banking

Gaming

Gig Economy

Crypto

Marketplace

Fintech

Forex

Banking

Gaming

Gig Economy

Crypto

Marketplace

Accelerate Growth, Eliminate Friction

Onboard users in seconds, not days. Deploy tiered address verification flows that maximise completion rates for genuine users while filtering out synthetic fraud.

Learn More Try Now

Onboard Global Traders in Real-Time

Verify investors across 250+ countries & territories. Ensure compliance with international financial regulations while preventing identity theft and high-risk chargebacks.

Learn More Try Now

Secure Trust at Every Transaction

Automate KYC and AML workflows to reduce manual onboarding costs. Strengthen residency checks while delivering the frictionless digital experience modern customers expect.

Learn More Try Now

Power a Fair & Secure Player Experience

Reduce bonus abuse and multi-accounting rings at the door. Enforce location rules and trigger step-up checks without disrupting the player journey.

Learn More Try Now

Build a Trusted, Verified Workforce

Screen freelancers and drivers at scale. Verify residency and reduce onboarding friction while maintaining trust between users.

Learn More Try Now

Scale Your Exchange with Confidence

Balance anonymity with compliance. Instantly verify user jurisdiction to meet Travel Rule obligations and help stop abuse without slowing down legitimate trading volume.

Learn More Try Now

Reduce fraud without blocking growth

Shufti supports marketplace integrity by verifying seller and buyer identities, enabling age-gated journeys where needed, and preserving evidence to support investigations, disputes and risk-led enforcement actions.

Learn More Try Now