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Inheritance tax in Malta 2026
Malta charges no inheritance tax and no gift tax; what exists is stamp duty on death transfers of two asset types only — Maltese real estate (5%) and shares in Maltese companies (2%).
Even that duty often falls away: the family home passes to a spouse or direct descendants duty-free, and other dwellings get the first EUR 35,000 free with a reduced 3.5% band to EUR 400,000.
At a glance
- top rate
- 5% stamp duty (Maltese real estate); 2% (Maltese shares)
- entry band
- 0% — no inheritance or gift tax at all
- tax year basis
- Duty per transfer, on the higher of price or market value
- filing deadline
- Settled through the causa mortis deed
- residency basis
- Duty attaches to Maltese-situated property and shares, wherever the heirs live
- regime flag
- Family home to spouse or descendants: exempt
Rates
What is due on death or gift (2026)
| Rate | Base | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | — | Inheritance and gift tax — neither exists in Malta |
| 5% | Higher of value or price | Stamp duty on Maltese immovable property passing on death |
| 2% | Higher of value or price | Stamp duty on shares in Maltese companies passing on death |
| 0% | — | The deceased's ordinary residence passing to the spouse or direct descendants |
| 0% | — | Qualifying agricultural land passing on death (from 2024) |
Thresholds & allowances
- Dwelling allowanceFirst EUR 35,000 duty-free
For a home that was the deceased's ordinary residence, where the full exemption doesn't apply
- Reduced band3.5% to EUR 400,000
On the slice from EUR 35,000 up to EUR 400,000 where the heir occupies the dwelling (ceiling raised from EUR 200,000 on 28 October 2025)
- Everything else0%
Cash, foreign property, foreign shares, funds and personal effects pass free of Maltese duty
Residency
Residency trigger
Liability follows the asset, not the person: only Maltese real estate and Maltese company shares attract duty, whoever the deceased or heirs are.
Non-resident treatment
Foreign heirs face the same 2–5% duty on those Maltese assets and nothing on anything else; there is no Maltese tax on inheriting foreign assets.
Notes
- There is no wealth tax and no annual real estate tax either — Malta taxes property only when it changes hands.
- Lifetime gifts bear no gift tax; transfers of Maltese property or shares by deed can still attract transfer duty in the ordinary way.
- Duty is computed on the higher of the consideration and market value of the asset.
- Since 2024, qualifying agricultural land passing on death is fully exempt, subject to conditions.
FAQ
Does Malta have inheritance tax?
No — 0%. Only stamp duty applies on death, at 5% on Maltese real estate and 2% on Maltese company shares, and the family home passing to a spouse or descendants is exempt.
What about gifts?
There is no gift tax at all — 0% on cash and movable gifts; deeds transferring Maltese property or shares can attract ordinary transfer duty.
Figures: tax year 2026, compiled from public sources. Not tax advice.