Malta has a population of about 550,000 and a nominal GDP of roughly US$21 billion. It is a member of the EU, the Eurozone, and the Schengen Area, and uses the euro. Its Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is featured in the index.
Malta has a population of about 550,000 and a nominal GDP of roughly US$21 billion. It is a member of the EU, the Eurozone, and the Schengen Area, and uses the euro. Its Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is featured in the index.
The Global Residency Programs Report 2026 combines five weighted dimensions, each built from its own set of normalised metrics: Quality of Life (30%), Procedure (30%), Mobility (20%), Investment (10%) and Compliance & Credibility (10%). The index is a starting point for individuals, advisors and policymakers to compare 48 residency programs on a like-for-like basis, surface the routes whose strengths match a specific priority, and screen out those that fall short on credibility.
The MPRP is a structured permanent-residence route combining a government contribution, a property requirement, and a charitable donation. It has been amended repeatedly, most recently in 2024 and 2025, and remains a prominent EU permanent-residence option.
Programme: Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) Legal basis: Legal Notice 121 of 2021 under Article 7A of the Immigration Act (Cap. 217), as amended by LNs 57 and 310 of 2024 and 146 of 2025 Indicative minimum:approximately EUR 150,000 or more in total (contribution plus property plus donation) Estimated processing: 4 to 6 months
The 2026 Global Residency Programs Index 2026 makes one thing clear: there is no single best programme, only the best fit for a given set of priorities. A decade of reform has left the sector more transparent, more compliance-driven and more diverse in the routes it offers (from regulated funds and entrepreneurial ventures to lifestyle and long-stay options) so that residency has matured into a credible, durable planning tool rather than a shortcut. Whether the goal is mobility, tax efficiency, quality of life or an eventual second passport, the value of this 2026 GRP Index lies in matching the right route to the right objective, grounded in evidence rather than marketing.