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Bank account and personal information requirements for using Shopify Payments in Malta

To use Shopify Payments in Malta, you need to provide personal and business information to comply with regulations that prevent financial crimes. The required information depends on your business type, and you might need to upload identity, address, or business verification documents.

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Requirements for using Shopify Payments in Malta

Before you use Shopify Payments in Malta, ensure that you meet the following requirements:

  • Eligible business types: Certain types of businesses and services aren't permitted to use Shopify Payments. To determine whether your business is eligible, refer to the list of prohibited business types for Malta in the Shopify Payments Terms of Service.
  • Bank account requirements: Your bank account must meet the following requirements before you can connect it to Shopify Payments:
    • The bank account must be in EUR currency.
    • The bank account must be eligible for Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) transfers.
    • The bank account must have an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) that starts with any of the following country codes: AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GI, GR, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, or SI.

Unsupported bank account types

Certain bank account types aren't compatible with Shopify Payments. The following account types aren't supported:

  • Checking accounts that accept only wire transfers: These accounts don't work with Shopify Payments.
  • Savings accounts: Savings accounts can't be used for Shopify Payments payouts.
  • Flex-currency accounts: Accounts that support multiple currencies simultaneously aren't supported.
  • Money transfer services: Services that mimic bank accounts, such as some fintech platforms, can't be used with Shopify Payments.

Although non-Shopify virtual accounts are supported, you can experience more payout failures with these accounts.

To confirm whether your account can accept the transfer type listed for your region, contact your bank.

Purpose of collecting information

Shopify and its banking partners are required to collect and verify information about you and your business to comply with regulations in Malta that are designed to prevent financial crimes. As local rules and regulations evolve, you might be contacted by Shopify and its banking partners to provide additional information throughout the lifespan of your Shopify Payments account.

The information that's collected is used to confirm the identity of the business, the identities of individuals linked to the business, and the nature of the relationship between the two.

Shopify never physically mails documentation to you. Any important documents or communications are emailed, or made digitally available to the store owner in the Settings > Users page of your Shopify admin.

Review Shopify's Privacy Policy to learn about how your information is kept confidential and safe.

Required personal and business information for activating Shopify Payments in Malta

Ensure that you correctly identify your business type because it determines the information that you need to provide.

If you haven't registered with any government agency, or you have registered but run the business as a sole trader, then select the Individual / Sole trader business type.

If you have registered your business and have a Company Registration Number (Numru tar-reġistrazzjoni tal-kumpanija), then select your business type based on the following guidance:

  • Partnerships with company registration numbers must select the incorporated partnership business type.
  • Non-profit organizations with company registration numbers must select the incorporated non-profit business type.
  • All other businesses with company registration numbers must select the limited liability company business type. The most common example is an LTD.

If you have a registered business, but don't have a company registration number, then select your business type based on the following guidance:

  • Partnerships without company registration numbers must select the unincorporated partnership business type.
  • Non-profit organizations and charities that don't have company registration numbers must select the unincorporated non-profit business type.

If you're not sure what business type to pick, then contact Shopify Support for help with selecting the right one.

Individuals / Sole traders

Individuals are single owner businesses that haven't registered with the government and are doing business privately. Sole traders are single owner businesses who are registered with the government under their personal information. Both are businesses that are owned and controlled by one individual living in Malta. This includes freelancers and self-employed small business operators.

These business types are treated the same way and must provide the same information. Individuals and sole traders must provide:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address in Malta: Your home address, matching your documentation.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you need to provide a government-issued photo ID. You should update your name and date of birth to match what is shown on your photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Limited liability company (LTD)

A limited liability company is a business whose equity is divided into shares, owned by shareholders. A company is considered its own legal entity, separate from the people who run it. They typically also have a board of directors.

Limited liability companies must assign either a beneficial owner or an executive with decision-making power as their account representative. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you need to provide a government-issued photo ID. You should update your name and date of birth to match what is shown on your photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Limited liability companies also need to provide the following details about the business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in the government business registry.
  • Company Registration Number (Numru tar-reġistrazzjoni tal-kumpanija): The business's company registration number as shown in the government business registry.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in the government business registry.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Malta. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information that you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name, company registration number, and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are beneficial owners of the company. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide photo ID or proof of address.

Incorporated partnerships

An incorporated partnership is a business owned by at least two partners, who have registered for commercial activity and obtained a company registration number. Incorporated partnerships have equity, and the partnership is its own entity, separate from the owners.

Incorporated partnerships must designate an owner or partner as the account representative of their Shopify Payments account. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you need to provide a government-issued photo ID. You should update your name and date of birth to match what is shown on your photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Incorporated partnerships also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in the government business registry.
  • Company Registration Number (Numru tar-reġistrazzjoni tal-kumpanija): The business's company registration number as shown in the government business registry.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in the government business registry.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Malta. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name, company registration number, and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are owners or partners. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide photo ID or proof of address.

Unincorporated partnerships

An unincorporated partnership is a business owned by at least two partners, who haven't registered for a company registration number, but who have a partnership agreement. The owners are considered the legal entity in this case, and the business is not a separate entity.

Unincorporated partnerships must designate an owner as the account representative of their Shopify Payments account. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you need to provide a government-issued photo ID. You should update your name and date of birth to match what is shown on your photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Unincorporated partnerships also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown on documentation.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown on documentation.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Malta. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are owners or partners. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide photo ID or proof of address.

Incorporated non-profits

A non-profit (NPO) is an entity that's established for purposes other than generating profit for its shareholders. Its primary mission is to serve a public or community benefit. Incorporated non-profits have registered for commercial purposes and obtained a company registration number.

Incorporated non-profits must assign either a director or an executive with decision-making power as their account representative. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you need to provide a government-issued photo ID. You should update your name and date of birth to match what is shown on your photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Incorporated non-profits also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown in the government business registry.
  • Company Registration Number (Numru tar-reġistrazzjoni tal-kumpanija): The business's company registration number as shown in the government business registry.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown in the government business registry.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Malta. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name, company registration number, and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are on your board of directors or who are key decision makers. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide photo ID or proof of address.

Unincorporated non-profits

A non-profit (NPO) is an entity that's established for purposes other than generating profit for its shareholders. Its primary mission is to serve a public or community benefit. An unincorporated non-profit doesn't have a company registration number, but has registered with local courts and has non-profit status.

Unincorporated non-profits must assign a key decision maker or organizer as their account representative, and mark that person as an executive. The account representative must provide the following information:

  • Legal first and last name: Your full legal name as it appears on government-issued documentation.
  • Date of birth: Your birth date.
  • Email address: A valid and active email address.
  • Phone number: A valid and active phone number.
  • Residential address: Your home address, matching your documentation.
  • Job title: The job title you hold with the business.
  • Equity: If applicable, the equity percentage you own of the business.

Ensure that your name, date of birth, and home address are accurate and that they match your government-issued documentation. If your information can't be verified, then you need to provide a government-issued photo ID. You should update your name and date of birth to match what is shown on your photo ID. Review the list of acceptable photo ID documents.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. When providing this document, ensure that the address listed in your account matches exactly with the address on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable address documents.

Unincorporated non-profits also need to provide the following details about their business:

  • Registered business name: The legal business name as shown on documentation.
  • VAT number: Your VAT registration number, if applicable.
  • Business phone number: An active contact phone number for the business.
  • Business address: The official registered address of the business as shown on documentation.

Shopify banking partners verify your information by comparing it against government registries in Malta. Pay careful attention to case, punctuation, and symbols.

If the information you provide about the business can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. When providing this document, ensure that the registered name and business address listed in your account match exactly with the information on the document, and update the information in your account to match the document if necessary. Review the list of acceptable business documents.

You must additionally list any other people who are on your board of directors or who are key decision makers. Ensure you enter their names, dates of birth, and home addresses exactly as shown on their government documents. If their identities can't be verified automatically, then they might need to provide photo ID or proof of address.

Acceptable document types

This section explains which documents you can use to verify your identity and business details.

Identity documents

The following documents are accepted as proof of identity. The name and date of birth on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information shown in the identity document you're providing. The documents must be valid and must not be expired.

  • Passaport (Passport)
  • Karta Tal-Identita (Identity card)
  • Liċenzja tas-Sewqan (Driver's license)
  • Permess ta' Residenza (Residence permit) - Photographs of the front and back are required.

Address documents

The name and address on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information displayed in the address documents that you're providing. The following documents are accepted as proof of address:

  • Kont tad-Dawl u Ilma (Utility bill) - dated within the last 6 months
  • Kont tal-Bank (Bank account statement) - dated within the last 6 months
  • Dikjarazzjoni ta' self (Mortgage statement) - dated within the last 6 months

Business verification documents

The following documents are accepted for business verification. They must clearly display the legal entity name, company registration number, and address of your business. The details on your Shopify Payments account must be updated to match the information displayed in the documents that you're providing:

  • Commercial register extract

Ensuring documentation compliance

When providing your documents, ensure that they meet the necessary criteria. Review the following guidelines to ensure compliance:

  • Accuracy: Ensure that the information on your documents matches what you've entered in your Shopify Payments account. Update your account to match your documents, if necessary.
  • Clarity and legibility: Make sure that your documents are clear and large enough to read. Ensure the entire document is visible in the photograph.
  • Completeness: Ensure all the necessary details are visible on your document. Review the acceptable document types listed on this page to understand what details must be included on the document.
  • Original documentation: Take an original photograph of your document using a camera. Don't photocopy, scan, or screenshot your documents. Don't paste photos of documents into other documents. Don't take photos of computer screens or printouts.
    • If your document was issued to you digitally, then provide the PDF file with all pages as it was originally given to you, with no alterations.
  • Validity: Ensure photo IDs aren't expired and that proof of address is recently issued. If providing proof of business registration, then your business should still be actively registered and in good standing.

Troubleshooting common issues

Before contacting Shopify Support, review the following common onboarding issues and their solutions.

I'm a partnership in Malta being asked for a company registration number, but I don't have one.

If you're a partnership in Malta being asked for a company registration number, but you don't have one, then you're set up as the incorrect business type. If you're in the process of setting up your Shopify Payments account, then update the business type to unincorporated partnership.

If you've already set up the account and are being asked for a company registration number as part of your verification process, then contact Shopify Support for assistance.

I don't have a company registration number in Malta, and I'm not an individual or sole trader.

If you don't have a company registration number, then you can select only unincorporated partnership or unincorporated non-profit as your business type. You must still provide documentation showing that your business is registered in Malta.

If neither of these business types fits your business, then you should select Individual / Sole trader and assign a key decision maker or owner as the account representative.

My document was rejected.

Ensure the information on your account matches your document exactly, and update your account if needed. If your documents are still being rejected, then refer to the following sections on this page:

My address can't be automatically verified.

If your address can't be automatically verified, then you must upload a proof of address document. Ensure the following:

  • The name and address on the document matches exactly with the name and address listed in your Shopify Payments account.
  • The document is dated within the past 6 months.
  • The document is one of the accepted address document types.

You need to provide a document that shows your own name. For example: If your own name doesn't appear on your utility bills, you should select and provide a different document from the option list.

My business information isn't being verified.

Shopify banking partners verify your business information by comparing it against government registries in Malta. If your business can't be verified, then check the following details:

  • Ensure that your registered business name matches exactly as it appears in government business registries, including letter case, punctuation, and symbols.
  • Ensure that your company registration number is correct.
  • Ensure that your business address matches the address listed in the government business registry.

If your information still can't be verified, then you might need to provide a business verification document. Ensure that the information on your document matches what you've entered in your Shopify Payments account.

Frequently asked questions

Review the following frequently asked questions about Shopify Payments requirements in Malta.

Why do you need my photo ID or proof of address if I'm a company, partnership, or non-profit in Malta?

Even if you're registered as a company, partnership, or non-profit, Shopify banking partners are required by regulations in Malta to verify the identity and location of each person associated with the business.

I'm a citizen of Malta but don't currently live there. Can I use Shopify Payments Malta?

If your business type is individual / sole trader, then you're required to live in Malta to be eligible for Shopify Payments Malta. If you don't currently live in Malta, then you should instead create a Shopify Payments account for the region you do live in.

Update your store address to your current location. If your location is eligible for Shopify Payments, then you can create a Shopify Payments account for that region instead.

If you're a type of partnership, company, or non-profit, then you're not required to personally live in Malta, but your business is required to be registered there and have a Maltese business address. If you need help, then contact Shopify Support.

I'm a sole trader in Malta. How do I enter my business information and company registration number?

For the purposes of business and identity verification in Malta, only the personal information of the owner is required if you're a sole trader. Select the Individual / Sole trader business type accordingly.

If you're a sole trader, then don't attempt to sign up as a different business type. You might have difficulty passing verification.

I'm a publicly traded company in Malta. Which business type should I pick?

You should pick limited liability company. For the purposes of business and identity verification, the process for public and privately owned companies is identical.

You can skip past the section of the account setup form that requests that you add owners. If you've already set up the account and are being asked for ownership information as part of your verification process, then contact Shopify Support for assistance with updating your business type.

Before you contact Shopify Support about Shopify Payments in Malta

Before reaching out to Shopify Support, gather the following information to help resolve your issue faster:

  • Screenshots of any error messages you received (censor sensitive information like bank account numbers)
  • The business type you selected during setup
  • Your Company Registration Number (Numru tar-reġistrazzjoni tal-kumpanija), if applicable
  • The specific step where you encountered the issue
  • The browser and device you're using
  • Your bank account details (country, currency, account type) without sharing the full account number

Having this information ready helps Shopify Support assist you more efficiently.