On 10 July 2025, amendments to the Companies Act (Register of Beneficial Owners) Regulations came into effect through Legal Notice 127 of 2025, to reflect the first transposition phase of the EU’s Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive. These changes introduce updates to how beneficial ownership (BO) information is accessed, recorded, and reported.
One of the most significant amendments appears in regulation 7, which now allows persons or entities with a legitimate interest to have access to beneficial owner details. Eligible individuals may access specific information, including the beneficial owner’s name, birth month and year, country of residence, nationality or nationalities, and the nature and extent of their interest. Access is subject to a fee that reflects administrative costs.
Requests must be submitted in writing to the Malta Business Registry (MBR) and must include identification details together with supporting documentation, and a declaration outlining the legal basis for the request and the purpose related to AML/CFT efforts. The MBR may request additional documentation where necessary.
If access is denied, the Registrar’s decision will be communicated in writing. Applicants who are not satisfied with the outcome may appeal by filing a sworn application in Court within twenty (20) days of receiving the notification.
Entities must also ensure they are using the new official forms issued by the Registrar in relation to the reporting of beneficial ownership and changes to beneficial ownership. These seek to enhance the reporting of beneficial owners to the Registrar, and they need to start being used with immediate effect. The older version of the forms is now invalid.
Should you require clarification or assistance in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contract us accordingly below.