Net 60 stretched to Net 125 and your St. Julian's iGaming client says "waiting for parent company approval"—for the fourth month. You've sent follow-ups to the Malta-licensed operation, but the finance director who approved your B2B services is now "coordinating with Gibraltar headquarters" and nobody else in this small island economy will take responsibility for the payment.
The invoice references a Limited company in Sliema, but they redirect you to the Valletta registered office. Valletta says St. Julian's operations handles vendor payments. Entity confusion in a market where everyone knows everyone—and your invoice sits unpaid in EUR while they continue operating licensed gaming platforms and your competitors accept "parent company approval" timelines.
You have the contract, service delivery records, and email acceptances. They've gone silent for 95 days, and you're not sure if this is a regulatory cash flow issue, parent company politics (many Malta entities are subsidiaries), or relationship avoidance in an island where reputation travels fast.
If This Sounds Familiar, You're in the Right Place
- Net 30-60 terms drift to Net 90-150+ with "parent company approval" delays
- iGaming regulatory complexity: license holder vs operating company vs payment processor
- Entity confusion: Valletta registered office vs Sliema/St. Julian's operational office
- Parent company approval chains: Malta subsidiary waiting for Gibraltar/Cyprus/London headquarters
- Small island dynamics: aggressive collection damages reputation across entire Malta business community
- Financial services complexity: MGA/MFSA licensed entities have specific compliance concerns
- Tourism B2B seasonality: "after peak season" creates quarterly payment delays
- Professional services scope disputes: "deliverables not as expected" without documentation
- Everyone knows everyone: Malta business community is extremely tight-knit
- "We've always had a good relationship" used to avoid formal payment commitment
What Changes When Collecty Runs the File
- Evidence pack assembled in first 48 hours (contracts, service records, acceptance documentation—English)
- Entity and decision-owner mapping across Malta locations (who actually approves payments in Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian's structures including parent company chains)
- Industry-aware outreach (we work in English for iGaming, fintech, maritime—understanding regulatory sensitivities)
- Acceptance reconstruction when "deliverables" or "scope" disputes appear
- Malta/EU-aware escalation routing (European Payment Order eligibility, Malta court procedures, common law framework)
- Documented reporting cadence (you know what's happening, why, and what's next)
- Relationship-smart persistence (Malta business reputation protected where possible—small island means long memories)
Collecty works Malta B2B files from €2K to €200K+, across iGaming, financial services, maritime, and professional services—evidence-first, common law-aware, EU-compliant across Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian's, Birkirkara, and Mosta.
The Malta iGaming Protocol™
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Statute of Limitations | 5 years for commercial claims |
| Currency | EUR (Eurozone since 2008) |
| EU Membership | EU member since 2004 |
| Legal System | Common law (British heritage) |
| Language | English and Maltese (English widely used) |
| Payment Terms | Typically Net 30-60 |
Industry Scenarios: When Malta Payments Stall
iGaming/Online Gaming
The situation: B2B platform services to MGA-licensed operator, €38K, 105 days overdue. "Waiting for parent company approval" from Gibraltar HQ.
What we do: Map license holder vs operating entity, identify parent company decision authority, apply escalation that respects regulatory sensitivities.
Financial Services
The situation: Compliance consulting to MFSA-regulated firm, €22K, 85 days overdue. "Deliverables scope dispute" without documented issues.
What we do: Reconstruct project acceptance, document deliverable sign-offs, route professional collection through common law framework.
Maritime Services
The situation: Ship agency services to Malta-flagged vessel owner, €45K, 70 days overdue. "Seasonal cash flow" excuse in busy shipping period.
What we do: Document service delivery and acceptance, map shipowner structure, apply structured escalation.
Why Not DIY / Lawyer-First / Write It Off?
| Approach | Typical Outcome | When It Works |
|---|---|---|
| DIY follow-up | Low response; small island means word travels; no formal escalation path | Small amounts, very strong relationship, same-town debtor |
| Lawyer-first | High cost (€2K-8K+); reputation damage in tight-knit Malta business community; 12-24 month timelines | Large amounts (€30K+) with litigation budget; relationship already broken |
| Write it off | 100% loss; precedent set with Malta/iGaming customers; no collection attempt | Amount below €2K; debtor insolvency confirmed |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for commercial debt in Malta?
Maltese commercial claims typically have a 5-year statute of limitations. The common law legal system (British heritage) applies. Requirements vary—consult local Maltese counsel for specific situations.
How does Malta's common law system affect debt collection?
Malta's British colonial heritage means it operates under common law principles, unlike most EU countries which use civil law. This affects evidence requirements, court procedures, and enforcement mechanisms.
Are iGaming companies harder to collect from?
iGaming companies often have complex structures: Malta-licensed operators may be owned by Gibraltar, Cyprus, or other jurisdiction parent companies. Payment approval chains can be longer. Regulatory sensitivities exist. But they're legitimate businesses—professional collection approaches work.
How important is reputation in Malta business?
Extremely important. Malta has ~550,000 people. The business community, especially in iGaming and financial services, is very tight-knit. Aggressive collection tactics can damage your reputation across the entire market. Professional, evidence-based approaches are essential.
Can I use the European Payment Order in Malta?
Yes. Malta has been an EU member since 2004 and fully participates in the European Payment Order regulation. This can be useful for cross-border enforcement when combined with proper evidence documentation.
How long does Malta debt collection typically take?
Amicable collection in Malta can resolve within 45-90 days when evidence is strong. Court proceedings take 12-24 months. The small market means word travels quickly—structured escalation often produces faster results.
What about parent company approval chains?
Many Malta entities are subsidiaries of international groups. Understanding the parent company relationship and whether payment authority sits in Malta, Gibraltar, Cyprus, or elsewhere is crucial for effective collection strategy.
What industries are most common for Malta B2B collection?
iGaming/online gaming, financial services/fintech, maritime services, professional services (legal, accounting, consulting), real estate services, and tourism B2B. iGaming is by far the largest sector for B2B disputes.
Next Steps: Getting Your Malta Collection Started
Get your Malta collection roadmap—evidence-first, common law-aware, relationship-smart. Get Your Malta Roadmap →
Sarah Lindberg
International Operations Lead
Sarah coordinates our global partner network across 160+ countries, ensuring seamless cross-border debt recovery.
