Malta is set to introduce a new legal framework that will allow young people aged 16 and above to establish and operate their own businesses, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem from an earlier age.

The initiative, known as Intrapriża16, was announced by Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta, during an event held at Ġ. F. Abela Junior College. The measure forms part of reforms outlined in the Government’s national budget to encourage youth entrepreneurship and innovation.

Under the proposed framework, teenagers from the age of 16 will be able to set up companies through what the Government describes as a responsible and regulated system. The reform seeks to address existing legal constraints that currently limit the ability of minors to independently engage in commercial activity.

At present, individuals under the age of 18 typically require court procedures or parental legal arrangements to enter into binding commercial contracts or operate a business. These requirements can create administrative hurdles for young people seeking to commercialise ideas or launch small ventures while still in education.

The Prime Minister explained that the initiative was developed after recognising that aspiring young entrepreneurs were encountering legal barriers when attempting to launch business projects before reaching adulthood. The new framework will provide institutional support through entities including the Malta Business Registry, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and JA Malta.

According to the Government, the reform would place Malta among the first European countries to introduce a structured system specifically designed to enable entrepreneurship among teenagers.

Commenting on the initiative, Silvio Schembri, Malta’s Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, said the measure is intended to give young people the confidence and support required to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions.

Meanwhile, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, described the framework as part of a broader effort to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs by equipping them with the tools needed to transform ideas into viable ventures.