Support for the Rental & Acquisition of Industrial Space

The support subsidises rental, or acquisition of private industrial premises required for long term development strategies. This measure is intended to support businesses engaged in industrial activities, that require industrial space for:

• Starting a new business
• Expand or diversify operations
• Relocate to new premises following a forced eviction
• Operating from rented premises and relocating to newly acquired premises

Who is eligible for this scheme?

This scheme aims to support limited liability companies, partnerships, cooperative and self-employed individuals.    The following additional conditions also need to be met:

• The applicant must not have any dues in relation to Tax, VAT and Social Security in excess of EUR 1000, unless he has an agreement to settle such due which is being honoured.
• The applicant must not be engaged in activities which are specifically excluded under the  de Minimis Regulation.
• The applicant must be employing less than 250 persons on a fulltime basis at the time of application.
• The applicant must not be subject to collective insolvency proceeding or must not fulfill any criteria under Maltese law for being placed in collective insolvency proceedings at the request of its credits.             

What are the eligible qualifying activities under this incentive?

An eligible undertaking may be supported for renting or acquiring business premises required for the carrying out or expanding of one or more of the following Qualifying Activities: 

1. Manufacturing activities 
2. Artisanal activities
3. Industrial Packaging activities
4. Maintenance and Repairs of Motor Vehicles
5. Repair of Machinery & Electrical Equipment
6. Industrial Laundry Services.

How is the assistance granted?

The support shall be awarded as a cash grant for the 3 years, and as a tax credit for the subsequent years. The aid not exceeding 50% to part-finance costs incurred. Eligible costs include:

Acquisition Costs

• The acquisition of industrial premises as long as the purchase agreement is not finalised prior to the submission of the application. For premises acquired between 1st January 2025 and 15th August 2025, applicants may submit an application following the finalisation of the sale as long as such application is submitted prior to 1st September 2025. 
• Support shall be considered irrespective whether the purchase is facilitated through a loan or funded directly by the applicant.
• The procurement of premises currently being used by the applicant on the basis of a rental agreement shall also be considered, provided that any support awarded shall not exceed a total of €300,000 from which any funding provided to subsidize rental costs under this measure (or previous versions of the Rent Subsidy Scheme) shall be deducted.

Rental Costs

• Up to 6 years of new rental agreements. When such rental agreement of commercial premises commences not earlier than 1 year from the date on which the application for support is submitted to  Malta Enterprise. The Guidelines published on such scheme provides that extensions and renewals of existing rental agreements do not constitute a new agreement 
• Applicants that received aid under previous version of the scheme would be able to allow for a further 3 years as a tax credit

Commissions, agency fees and other similar costs shall not be part-financed through this measure.

The application form for this Incentive shall be available from the 1st August 2025 and may be accessed from and submitted through Malta Enterprise’s Client Portal.   Applications shall be submitted by not later than 31st October  2030.