Postal Address: National FDI Screening Office, The Watercourse, Triq L-Imdina, Zone 2, Central Business District, Birkirkara
Website: https://www.nfdismalta.com/
Email: [email protected]
Telephones: (+356) 9996 4277 / (+356) 9921 3344
The National Foreign Direct Investment Screening Office was set up to implement the provisions of Chapter 620 of the Laws of Malta and EU Regulation 2019/452. The Office has been operational since April 2020, and it is now the focal point for Malta for the implementation of this Regulation.
The scope and remit of the Office is to evaluate and screen foreign direct investments, originating from third countries (that is, any country which is not a member of the EU), on grounds of security and public order.
The purpose of the screening process is to protect European Union security and order in a wide sense including intelligence, knowledge and technology. In fact, the Office plays an important role in cases where third-country investors seek to acquire control of European companies whose activities involve critical technologies, infrastructure or access to sensitive information, therefore putting security or public order at risk.
The Office carries out full due diligence on the beneficial owners of those operations that require screening, to ensure that investment projects are evaluated against any potential risks or threats. Ultimately the final approval lies with the Malta Office, after of course taking into consideration the input of the European Commission and other Member States on projects submitted for screening. At the same time, the Office reviews and may comment and provide input on projects submitted by the other 26 EU countries.