Supporting Knowledge Based Sectors in Gozo Scheme
Scheme provides for a partial salary reimbursement of up to €8,000 per annum for a period of 3 years (for a total grant of up to a maximum of €24,000) and for a partial reimbursement of training costs of up to €1,500 per annum for a period of 3 years for each employee working within specific knowledge-intensive economic sectors based in Gozo.
Supporting Sustainable Quality Employment in Gozo Scheme 2026
Scheme offers partial salary reimbursements to Gozo-based employers, spread over 3 years, for employees on full-time, indefinite employment. Eligible staff includes newly hired staff or those continuously employed after 1st January 2018, whose employer benefited from a full 3-year cycle under prior schemes (Gozo Employment Refund Scheme, Gozo Back-Office Employment Refund Scheme, Supporting Sustainable Quality Employment Scheme, or Supporting Knowledge Based Sectors in Gozo Scheme).
Promoting Gozo’s Niche Tourism Markets Scheme
Supports specific niche businesses in marketing campaigns to promote Gozo as a sustainable quality destination. Scheme covers up to 75% of eligible expense, capped at €3,000 for advertisement campaigns targeting a foreign and local audience or participation in international fairs/events aboard. Capping increases to €4,500 in case of businesses undertaking both advertisement campaigns and participating in international fairs/events aboard.
Supporting Marketing Initiatives for the Accommodation Sector in Gozo
Supports accommodation operators in Gozo to promote the island as a holiday destination through digital marketing through a reimbursement of up to 65% of the eligible expenditure, capped at €8,000. Eligible operators must invest a minimum of €5,500 including the grant and the content marketing plan developed should cover between 6 to 12 months.
Smart & Sustainable Investment Grant
Supports investment that leads to more sustainable and digitalised processes thereby enhancing competitiveness through the optimisation of the use of resources. Aid covers 50% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum of €100,000 per project. A further tax credit of up to €40,000 per project may be awarded as an additional 10% (to 60%) if the project meets specified criteria including projects resulting in new investment in Gozo.
Green Mobility Scheme
Facilitates the shift to sustainable transportation by incentivizing businesses to adopt electric vehicles through a tax credit covering up to 50% of investment costs for installation of private recharging infrastructure. Additionally, scheme also supports extra costs of leasing of clean/zero-emission vehicles with a tax credit of up to 60% for up to 36 months.
Business Development
Facilitates value-added projects, including new business initiatives, expansions and transformation activities contributing to the regional development of Malta/Gozo through tax credits or cash grants of up to €300,000. Supported initiatives should lead to new opportunities, additional employment, increased competitiveness or widening market reach.
Business Start
Support small Start-ups deemed economically feasible and innovative by Malta Enterprise through a grant of €10,000 aimed at assisting them in developing their business proposal and undergoing a feasibility study.
Start-up Finance
Supports Start-Ups at various stages in their development process based on the milestones achieved and their vision for growth. Eligible Start-ups should demonstrate innovation in doing business and a vision to expand beyond the Maltese market. Scheme provides support up to €500,000 for small start-ups or up to €750,000 for Start-ups operating in an assisted area. Support may be doubled for innovative start-ups.
Innovate – Innovation Aid for SMEs
Supports SMEs in carrying out projects leading to product, process and organisational innovation in collaboration with a Research and Knowledge-Dissemination Organization. The measure can provide funding for the secondment of a highly qualified person, access to innovation advisory and support services.
Exploring Research Grant
Assists businesses in planning better their R&D initiatives whilst encouraging them to think strategically, consider the market disruptions the research results could lead to and look beyond the organisation for strategic collaborations. A cash grant of up to €100,000 seeks to support the implementation of a feasibility study to this end.
Research & Development Scheme
Supports undertakings, either through a tax credit or a cash grant, that aim to achieve further economic growth through innovation and that require Industrial Research and / or Experimental Development to address uncertainties to achieve their objectives.
Invest – Support for Initial Investment Projects
Assists Micro Enterprises in digitalising their operations by investing in new digital capabilities and digitalised processes. This improves their resilience, efficiency, productivity, and customer experience. Scheme offers a 50% part-finance of eligible costs, capped at €10,000 per digitalisation investment. Aid intensity increases to 60% for investments in Gozo.
Skills Development
Supports undertaking in providing training to develop and update skills and knowledge of their workforce and to train new employees to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively. Aid is in the form of tax credits and/or cash grants with aid intensities of up to 70% of eligible costs, depending on the size of the entity in question.
Accelerate 2024
Supports undertakings with a potential for growth, that have a viable business concept based on sound technical and scientific knowhow and that are in the process of developing the technology into a market ready offering. Eligible undertakings in their initial 7 years may receive up to €100,000 to finance their participation in a recognized Accelerator Program.
Family Business Grant
The Family Business Grant supports Maltese family businesses in succession planning. It covers 50% of advisory costs (up to €2,500) and mediation at €100/hour (max €2,500). Total aid is capped at €20,000 over three years, helping businesses ensure smoother generational transfer and long-term continuity.
Family Business Transfer of Ownership
The Family Business Transfer of Ownership scheme supports succession in Maltese family businesses by easing ownership transfers to the next generation. It provides legal, governance, and fiscal incentives to ensure smoother continuity, safeguard jobs, and preserve family enterprises
Micro Invest
Encourages undertakings to invest in innovation, expansion, and development of their operations. Aid is granted in the form of a tax credit equivalent to 45% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum of €50,000 over 3 years. Aid intensity increases to 65%, up to a maximum of €70,000 for Gozo-based undertakings, registered family business or businesses having more than 50% of ownership attributable to female persons.
Patent Box Deduction
The Patent Box Deduction Rules establishes a fiscal regime through which taxpayers generating income from patents, similar Intellectual Property (IP) rights and copyrighted software would be entitled to a percentage of their income from taxable income.
Qualifying Employment in Innovation & Creativity
This scheme facilitates employment of non-residents within the knowledge-based industries in roles which are currently not addressed by the local labour market. Assistance under this scheme is in the form of a temporary ease of personal tax expenses incurred by such individuals through a flat 15% tax rate for a period of 4 years.
Support for the Rental & Acquisition of Industrial Space
This scheme helps businesses involved in industrial activities (manufacturing, artisanal work, repairs, packaging, laundries) to obtain or relocate into industrial premises through cash grants or tax credits. It covers 50% of eligible rental or acquisition costs, capped at €300,000 over six years (maximum €50,000 per year).
Tax Credit on Higher Educational Qualifications
Provides for a tax exemption on employment income which may be claimed by way of a tax credit, to individuals who complete relevant courses of studies at MQF Level 7 or 8.
Energy & Water Awarness in Micro SMEs
Scheme offers free expert on-site visits to help identify energy and water inefficiencies. Businesses receive tailored advice on reducing consumption, lowering costs, and accessing further support schemes to improve sustainability and competitiveness.
Energy Audits for SMEs
Encouraging SMEs to conduct energy audits aimed at identifying actions and investments that could be carried out to reduce energy consumption on a daily basis. The financial grant covering the reimbursement of costs incurred in the performance of an energy audit, varies depending on the NACE Codes of the entity in question.
SME Fund
Aimed at assisting SMEs in Malta. It offers financial support for various business activities, including innovation, digitalisation, and environmental sustainability. Eligible SMEs can access funding for initiatives such as innovation, digitalisation, and environmental sustainability. The fund aims to enhance competitiveness and foster growth within the SME sector.
Internationalisation strategy for SMEs
Scheme finances external consultancy services to help businesses design strategies for entering or expanding in international markets. Grants of up to €20,000 support SMEs in building competitiveness, improving operations, and strengthening their global presence. Aid intensity is set at 50% of eligible costs.
Marketing Strategy for Micro & Small Enterprises
Co-finances external consultancy services to develop a tailored marketing strategy for micro and small enterprises. Grants of up to €10,000 are available, covering up to 60% of eligible consultancy costs with reimbursement split between 80% upon strategy submission and 20% after implementation.
Digitalise your SME
Assist SMEs by part-financing investment to digitalise their operations, and hence improve their resilience, efficiency, productivity, and customer experience. The maximum funding amount is €50,000 per digitalisation investment in digital technologies, with aid intensity on eligible costs set at 50% for investments in Malta and 60% for investments in Gozo. For start-ups, aid intensity increases to 60% in Malta and 70% in Gozo
Mind the Gap Project
The Mind the Gap initiative helps Maltese e-commerce platforms assess and enhance cybersecurity. A free self-assessment tool evaluates maturity via a 50-question survey and provides a certified score. Businesses can then access the Cybersecurity Improvement Scheme, offering financial aid to address identified gaps and strengthen digital resilience.
MDIA Applied Research Grant
The scheme funds innovation in Malta’s public and private sectors across areas like artificial intelligence, digital trust, ESG technologies, data analytics, and quantum computing. It encourages academy–industry collaboration to boost digital adoption and capacity.
Standards & Awards for SMEs
The Standards & Awards for SMEs scheme supports businesses in obtaining recognised certifications by funding external consultancy costs. Grants of up to €20,000 cover areas such as quality, environmental, health and safety, or other professional standards. Aid intensity is set at 50% of eligible costs.
SME Enhance
Supports SMEs by part-financing investments in expansion, diversification, innovation, and initial operations to enhance productivity. Aid is capped at 50% of eligible costs, with minimum and maximum funding amounts set at €10,000 and €500,000, respectively. Investments in Gozo benefit from an additional 10% aid intensity.
RDI Schemes
Support enterprises in R&D activities to advance technology readiness levels (TRLs) from 4 to 8. Feasibility Study scheme offers up to 70% aid intensity for SMEs. Research & Development scheme provides up to 45% aid intensity for SMEs in Malta and up to 50% in Gozo. Both schemes require a two-stage application process, starting with a Concept Note. Projects must align with Smart Specialisation Strategy areas and demonstrate potential for innovation and market impact.
Retrofit
Supports investments addressing high upfront costs of building renovations, namely commercial buildings targeting a reduction in primary energy demand used for heating and water heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting. Scheme part-finances eligible costs at rates varying between €170 to €440 per m2, depending on the size of the entity, wiht preferential rates offered to Gozo based businesses.
Business Reports for SMEs
Support SMEs by part-financing costs incurred for external consultancy services contracted to provide the enterprise with a Business Report being either a Business Plan or a Process and Systems Review aimed at rendering it more efficient or more competitive. Aid intensity is set at 80% of eligible costs, up to €4,000.
Average Wage Earners Scheme
Supports employed or self-employed individuals earning up to €300 per week. Participants receive a €25 weekly training allowance upon completing at least four hours of Jobsplus-approved training per week. Applications are accepted per course, with each requiring a separate submission.
Bridging the Gap Scheme
Supports individuals in disadvantages situations or registered persons with disability in the transition from unemployment to employment by allowing employers to evaluate the performance of prospective employees in the workplace, prior to proper engagement whilst providing such employees with a weekly allowance of 80% of the minimum wage.
Employer’s NI Contribution Exemption
Encourages the employment of registered persons with disabilities by exempting employers from paying their part of the National Insurance Contribution. This initiative supports the integration of individuals with disabilities into the workforce, promoting inclusivity and active participation in the Maltese economy.
Fiscal Incentive Scheme
The Fiscal Incentive Scheme encourages employers to hire registered persons with disabilities by offering a fiscal incentive equivalent to 25% of the employee’s basic wage, up to a maximum of €4,500 per person employed.
Investing in Skills Scheme
Supports employers in upskilling their workforce through external training programs. Employers can receive up to 70% funding, depending on the size of the undertaking. Eligible training includes classroom, e-learning, and distance learning formats. Applications must be submitted at least 7 days before the training start date
Mature Workers Scheme
Promote access to employment for unemployed persons aged between 45-65, by providing a tax deduction on chargeable income to eligible employers, up to a maximum of €11,600, for the first 2 years of employment of each eligible employee and a further tax deduction of 50% of training costs, up to a maximum of €400 per employee.
Traineeship Scheme
Offers employers the opportunity to train individuals who are not currently employed. Employers can select their own trainees or receive assistance from Jobsplus in finding suitable candidates. The scheme provides 270 hours of on-the-job training at the employer’s premises, tailored to operational requirements, plus 50 hours of off-the-job training delivered by Jobsplus. Trainees receive a training allowance ranging from €5.54 to €7.50 per hour, depending on the occupation, paid directly by Jobsplus.
Work Exposure Scheme
Facilitates the transition into employment by providing jobseekers with practical experience to gain the knowledge, skills, and competences required to secure work, while assisting employers in finding and training potential employees. Trainees receive a training allowance ranging from €5.54 to €7.50 per hour, depending on the occupation, paid directly by Jobsplus while employers can offer placements lasting between 200 to 280 hours, tailored to their operational needs. This enables employers to assess the trainees’ abilities, providing an opportunity to evaluate potential future employees
Empower Youth on-the-job exposure phase
Offers employers the opportunity to host young individuals aged 15 to 29 who have completed off-the-job training and are eager to gain hands-on experience. Employers can select their own trainees or receive assistance from Jobsplus in finding suitable candidates. The scheme provides 270 hours of on-the-job training at the employer’s premises, tailored to operational requirements, plus 50 hours of off-the-job training delivered by Jobsplus. Trainees receive a training allowance ranging from €5.54 to €7.50 per hour, depending on the occupation, paid directly by Jobsplus.
Business Plan Voucher
Supports entrepreneurs in Malta by providing funding to develop comprehensive business plans. Beneficiaries can receive up to €3,000 to cover professional consultancy fees. The scheme aims to enhance business viability, facilitate access to finance, and guide strategic planning for start-ups and SMEs.
CETP 2025 Joint Transnational Call
Supports collaborative R&D projects in clean energy transition. Maltese entities can request up to €500,000 in funding per consortium, with a cap on total national participation. The call covers various thematic modules and follows a two-stage application process .
Access2Partnership Scheme
Enables Malta-based researchers to join Horizon Europe Joint Transnational Calls in areas like health, climate, energy, and digital technologies. Eligible applicants can receive up to €300,000 to participate in international research and innovation consortia.
Intellectual Property Registration Voucher
The IPR Voucher helps local innovators protect their ideas and creations. Eligible participants can receive up to €20,000 to cover costs for registering patents, trademarks, copyrights, designs, or trade secrets at national, EU, or international levels.The scheme also provides guidance throughout the registration process.
European Innovation Council Programmes
The aim of the scheme is to support entities applying to the European Innovation Council Programmes. Eligible applicants may benefit from grants covering proposal development (capped at €10,000) and/or business coaching (capped at €5,000) and/or pitch coaching (capped at €2,000).
Horizon Europe Networking Support Scheme
Supports attendance to Horizon Europe networking and brokerage events held overseas through reimbursement of flight tickets and subsistence allowances capped at €750 and €150 per night respectively. These networking activities generate long-term outcomes leading to the formation of and/or participation in consortia capable of applying for Horizon funding.
Guaranteed Co-Lending Scheme
Offers favourable financing terms to SMEs in favour of projects focusing on innovation, digitalisation and more broadly, the preservation and enhancement of competitiveness; socially oriented initiatives; investment that addresses environmental issues; and investment aimed at achieving a high level of sustainability or to promote the circular economy.
SME Guarantee Scheme
Enhances SME access to bank credit for new investments, including working capital for new investment and business transfers, through an uncapped guarantee of 80% on loans issued by accredited credit institutions to such SMEs. This enables them to be more responsive to the borrowing requirements of smaller businesses.
Tailored Facility for Businesses
Enhances access to finance for businesses by addressing barriers to lending for which commercial banks may not be willing or able to provide the required financing. The required loan is co-financed by the commercial bank and the MDB in such portions as may be agreed between the parties. The MDB may also offer a guarantee on part of the commercial bank’s share of the loan.
MDB Culture & Creative sector
Aims to improve access to bank financing for SMEs engaged in cultural, artistic, or creative activities. It offers loans ranging from €10,000 to €1,000,000 with a maximum term of 10 years. Eligible projects encompass areas such as architecture, audiovisual media, design, festivals, literature, music, performing arts, publishing, and visual arts. The scheme provides an 80% uncapped guarantee on the loan portfolio, facilitating lower interest rates, reduced collateral requirements, and extended repayment periods for qualifying businesses.
International Trade Promotion Incentive Scheme
Supports businesses aiming to expand internationally. Eligible SMEs receive up to 50% reimbursement of costs (large enterprises 40%), capped at €30,000 annually. Supported actions include participation in international events and fairs, trade and business missions, participation in formal networking and brokerage events, global growth, market research, digital marketing, collaborative internationalisation projects, international tenders and third-party multipliers
Film & TV Incentive (Cash Rebate Scheme)
Supports audiovisual productions filmed in Malta through a cash rebate of up to 40% on eligible expenditure. The base rate is 30%, with additional percentages granted when Maltese locations, crew, facilities, or cultural elements are highlighted. Eligible projects include films, TV series, animations, documentaries, and more.
Reality & Game Shows Finanical Incentive
The aim of the scheme is to support entities applying to the European Innovation Council Programmes. Eligible applicants may benefit from grants covering proposal development (capped at €10,000) and/or business coaching (capped at €5,000) and/or pitch coaching (capped at €2,000).
