A Malta MFSA authorisation provides EU passporting rights under MiFID II, AIFMD, PSD2, EMI, and MiCA — enabling regulated financial services across all 27 EU member states from a single Malta regulatory licence.
An EU regulatory passport allows a financial services firm authorised in one EU member state to provide services across all 27 EU member states — either on a cross-border basis (freedom to provide services) or through the establishment of a branch. The passport is recognised under MiFID II (investment services), AIFMD (fund management), PSD2 (payment services), EMI Directive (e-money), and MiCA (crypto-asset services).
Marensa Advisory advises non-EU financial groups on EU market entry strategy via Malta — designing the Malta regulatory structure, EU passport notification process, and ongoing compliance for all EU passport jurisdictions.
Design Your EU Passporting StrategyThe EU passport applies differently under each EU directive — notification procedures and host state requirements vary.
The EU passport's commercial value — access to 27 markets from a single regulatory authorisation — is only realised if the underlying licence is correctly structured and the passport notifications are properly managed.
Marensa Advisory manages Malta-based EU passporting as a complete service — from MFSA licence through pan-EU notification and ongoing host state compliance.
Start the ConversationNo. The UK is no longer in the EU — the EU passport does not apply to UK-based clients or activities. Separate FCA authorisation or reliance on applicable UK exemptions is required to serve UK clients.
It depends on the directive. The AIFMD passport covers marketing to professional investors only. MiFID II and PSD2 passports cover both retail and professional clients (subject to the licence scope). UCITS passports cover retail clients.
Cross-border service notifications are typically acknowledged within 1 month. Branch establishment notifications take up to 2 months. AIFMD marketing passport notifications take 20 business days per AIF/member state combination.
No. The EU passport is a legal right — host state regulators cannot refuse access to a firm that holds a valid MFSA licence and has correctly notified its passport. Malta MFSA is an EBA and ESMA-member regulator, subject to the same European supervisory standards as larger member states.