Malta Residency by Investment: Ultimate Guide 2024

Located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is characterized by its beguiling blend of cultures, quiet villages, outdoor activities, and mesmerizing beaches tucked between secret coves. Some say the sun never stops shining in Malta, which is understandable given that the island gets about 3,000 hours of sunshine yearly.

In recent years, Malta has attracted the likes of families, foreign investors, and business-oriented individuals looking to enhance their quality of life and safeguard their freedoms. Thanks to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), third-country nationals (non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss) can obtain Malta’s residency by investment. Successful investors acquire a Malta residence permit, enabling them and their families to settle in Malta and permanently live on the Mediterranean island.

In this guide to residency in Malta, you’ll learn more about:

• What the Malta Permanent Residence Programme is
• Key program benefits
• How to get Maltese residency
• Program costs breakdown and so much more!

What is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?

Often regarded as the Malta Golden Visa, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is a residency by investment program that enables successful applicants to obtain a Certificate of Maltese Residence, entitling them to reside in Malta with their family members indefinitely.

A third country national (non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss national) can apply for residency in Malta, provided they meet specific investment requirements of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme and have a clean criminal record. For example, foreign nationals must meet several criteria, including a lease agreement, property in Malta investment, and government contributions.

The processing time varies, but typically it takes between four to six months to be concluded. This includes time for background checks, review of supporting documentation, and verification of personal details and all legal requirements. Under the Malta Golden Visa, applicants must maintain their investment for at least five years.

Applicants for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme may be eligible for special tax concessions, depending on their investment and the program they apply under. It’s advisable to consult a legal advisor for detailed information on potential tax consequences.

Malta residency also permits visa free travel within the Schengen Zone, offering extensive travel freedom. This is a significant benefit for residents who wish to explore other EU countries.

After five years, provided the applicant physically resides in Malta, they can submit their Malta citizenship application and get a second passport.

We’ll talk about the Malta Permanent Residence Programme in more detail in the sections below.

Malta Permanent Residence Programme Eligibility Criteria

In all application cases, the following criteria must be met:

• The main applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
• The applicant must be able to invest the necessary amounts to meet the qualifying criteria. 
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources, ensuring they can support themselves and their dependents without relying on Malta’s social assistance system.
• The main applicant and all dependents must maintain valid health insurance that covers the entirety of the European Union. The insurance should provide comprehensive coverage for all risks in Malta.
• All applicants, including dependents, must present a clean criminal record.
• While there is no minimum stay requirement, the applicant must commit to holding their qualifying investments for at least five years.

To be eligible for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), applicants must either purchase or lease a property in Malta. If opting to lease a property, the lease agreement must be maintained for at least five years. This requirement ensures a long-term commitment to Malta, contributing to the stability of the investment. Additionally, applicants must adhere to the terms of the lease agreement throughout this period.

While there is no strict language requirement, basic proficiency and understanding of the local language (Maltese) can benefit integration into the community.

Benefits of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme

Maltese residency provides many benefits to expats and retirees, from attractive scenery and visa free travel to a high quality of life. The small but vibrant nation has become an investment hub, leading in innovation, cryptocurrency, and tech start-ups.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme allows qualifying individuals to tap into this market of opportunities, enabling them to acquire a European residence permit.

Investment benefits

Malta boasts an excellent reputation for its splendid climate, welcoming population, low crime rates, and fantastic quality of life. These are just some of the qualities that make Malta a great location to acquire an alternative residence or own a second home.

Maltese residents enjoy the following benefits:

Family benefits

One of the key reasons the Malta Permanent Residence Programme is so appealing is that the applicant can include their family members in a single application (for an extra fee which we cover in our costs section below). 

The following dependents can be included in the residency by investment application:

• Spouse of the main applicant in a monogamous marriage or in another relationship having the same or a similar status to marriage, including a civil union, domestic partnership or common law marriage,
• Children under 18 (includes adopted children)
• Unmarried children over 18 who are entirely or largely dependent on the main applicant or spouse 
• Children over 18 who are considered a person with a disability 
• A parent or grandparent of the main applicant or spouse and who is entirely or largely dependent on the main applicant or spouse

Dependents of the main applicant for the Malta Golden Visa are well taken care of while living in Malta. The healthcare system and education opportunities are some of the main draws to applying for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.

Malta is also one of the top places to study in Europe. Our guide to the Malta Study Visa will provide all the information needed if you have dependents looking to study in Malta that may not fit the above criteria. 

Second citizenship benefits

Second citizenship can be obtained through Malta’s investment programs, subject to meeting all the requirements, including due diligence fees and a commitment to national development.

Obtaining Malta dual citizenship offers benefits such as the ability to get a Malta golden passport, visa free travel within the Schengen Zone, access to a growing economy, and the privilege to reside indefinitely in an EU country.

The Community Malta Agency plays a crucial role in administering residency programs. They oversee Maltese citizenship applications to ensure compliance with new regulations, helping applicants obtain Maltese citizenship.

Please note that, under the Maltese Citizenship Act, Chapter 188, obtaining a Maltese passport is subject to conditions for foreign nationals. This means that certain criteria must be fulfilled for investors to be granted Maltese citizenship.

Malta Residency by Investment Options

To apply for the program and obtain a Malta permanent resident card, the individual can choose between two options for real estate investment:

• Buying real estate
• Leasing a property with a rental agreement

This investment route for residency is ideal for individuals with enough financial assets to enhance their mobility and quality of life. It requires a significant investment in property in Malta, with a minimum amount specified in the program guidelines. This could be purchasing or leasing property in Malta, making a contribution to the national development and social fund, and other government contributions.
Applicants should also know that the Malta Permanent Residence Programme requires a commitment to the country’s social improvement, with investments contributing to the local economy and community. It’s crucial to provide accurate and complete personal details and avoid false information in the application.

Let’s take a look at each investment requirement in more detail.

Property investment

Applicants must make a qualifying real estate investment, here are the various options:

• Renting property: Applicants must rent a property with a minimum lease fee of €12,000. There are a few designated areas with a €10,000 minimum lease fee.
• Purchasing property: Purchase a property with a minimum value of €300,000 in the South of Malta/Gozo or €350,000 in the rest of Malta.

Important to note: The title of the real estate purchase or lease must be held for at least five years and cannot be rented out or sublet during this time.

Non-refundable government contribution

Along with renting or purchasing a property in Malta, applicants much make a significant non-refundable government contribution:

• Renting: Applicants must make a non-refundable contribution of €58,000 if leasing or renting a property.
• Purchasing: Applicants must make a non-refundable contribution of €28,000 if purchasing a residential property.

Important to note: An extra contribution of €7,500 is required for each additional adult dependent on the application.

Donation

Applicants must donate €2,000 to a local registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, artistic, scientific, or animal welfare NGO registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organizations or as otherwise approved by the Residency Malta Agency.

*Donations must be conducted after the Letter of Approval has been issued, proof of which must be submitted together with the final proof pack. The licensed agent must ask for clearance from the Residency Malta Agency with respect to the chosen NGO/organization of choice.

Administration fee

There is also a non-refundable administrative fee to be paid to the government upon application submission. The fee is €40,000, €10,000 of which must be paid within one month of submission, with the remaining €30,000 payable two months after the issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle.

Additional dependents fees – post-approval stage

The fee schedule below refers to additional dependents added after the Certificate of Residence for the main applicant has been issued.

All fees are per applicant and must be paid within one month of the submission of the application.

Malta Permanent Residence Programme: Total Costs and Fees

In total, here is a breakdown of what the total investment cost is for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme:

• Property rental option: €120,000 over five years (€110,000 if investing in South Malta/Gozo)
• Property purchase option: €380,000 (€330,000 if investing in South Malta/Gozo)
• Non-refundable administrative fee: €40,000
• Donation: €2,000
• Each additional adult dependent on the application: €7,500

MPRP Document Requirements

Below, we’ll cover the general documentation you’ll need in support of your residency application. Note that this is not an exhaustive list and that for the full documentation requirements, you can access our document checklist here: The MPRP – Documents List.

Please note, Maltese government can change the documentation requirements at any point and have full discretion to do so.

Supporting documents:

• Valid passport for all applicants and birth certificates (when applicable)
• Criminal record for all applicants over 14 years old, issued by the competent authorities in the country of origin or country of residence where the applicant resided for over 6 months during the last 10 years.
• Health insurance to confirm that the main applicant and their dependents are not suffering from any serious illness or contagious disease and that they are otherwise in good health and will not be, in terms of the medical review carried out by the Residency Malta Agency, of an unreasonable burden on the national health system.
• An undertaking to purchase or lease an immovable property in Malta under the legal requirements
• Personal information for the due diligence processes, carried out by the agent that there is no evidence that the main applicant and their dependents are not fit and proper persons
• Power of attorney with a verified agent
• Medical report and questionnaire
• Proof of source of funds and financial assets (for the main applicant only)
• Bank statements (for the main applicant only)
• Evidence of business ownership or employment (for the main applicant only or benefactor)
• An undertaking to remit the total of the contribution payable and donation required to apply for the program.

Important notice: A four-tier due diligence procedure is in place as part of the Malta Golden Visa application process. Furthermore, to submit your application, you must do so via a Licensed Authorized Agent who will essentially act as your power of attorney. Note that to increase your chances of a successful outcome, ensure you have all the documentation in place and filed correctly (certified versus original).

Application forms and other accompanying documents shall be completed in English. If the original language of the accompanying documents is not English, the documents shall be accompanied by an authenticated translation into English.

Step-by-Step Guide to Malta Residency

There’s a multi-step process to applying for the Malta Golden Visa program:

1. Power of attorney and application submission: You must sign a power of attorney document empowering your chosen licensed agent to act on your behalf in all matters concerning the MPRP.

2. Letter of Approval in Principle or Rejection: The final file is presented to the Approvals Board, which will determine whether you’ve been approved or rejected. Once a decision has been made, you’ll receive either a Letter of Approval in Principle or a Letter of Rejection.

3. Make qualifying investments: You must make your qualifying investments, including either purchasing real estate or leasing it, making a donation to a registered NGO/organization of choice, and settling the contribution to the Maltese government.

4. Application pack submission and issuance of receipt: Your licensed agent will submit an application pack on your behalf. The pack must be properly completed and sent to Residency Malta Agency. A receipt will be issued as confirmation of submission.

5. Due diligence: A four-tier due diligence process is conducted by the Residency Malta Agency to ensure your application’s validity.

6. Letter of Final Approval: The applicant receives the letter of final approval, which means they have the green light to obtain a residence permit.

7. Biometric data collection and residency card issuance: If approved, you must travel to Malta (along with any dependents included in the application) to submit your biometric data to the RMA. While the biometric data is tied to the issuance of a Malta residency card, it’s actually not a mandatory step in the process.

In fact, these cards are only issued once the investment is made and all criteria has been fulfilled. Each Malta residency card is valid for five years and is renewable afterward – with the exception of minors turning 14 or 18 years old. Minors approaching their 14th or 18th birthday will have a residency card valid until a month before their birthday.

8. Annual compliance: On a yearly basis, the RMA will be in communication with your agent, who’ll need to submit proof of your property lease, as well as proof of sickness insurance cover via the presentation of the annual policy. This occurs each year for the first five years and then whenever the RMA deems it necessary at its discretion.

Global Passport Index: Malta Golden Passport

Global Citizen Solutions has created its very own Global Passport Index to measure the true strength of a passport. To create this, quantitative data like composite indicators were used to analyze specific criteria that determine the attractiveness of a passport. The ranking is based on data from various institutions and multilateral organizations, such as the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Sustainable Development Report, and was put together in collaboration with senior analysts.

In our 2024 Global Passport Index, Malta ranks in 34th position. 

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Malta Permanent Residency by Investment

What fees are included for the leasing or renting of a property in Malta?

The expected fees for this investment route of leasing or renting a property in Malta are as follows:

• €12,000 in rent per year for at least five years, or €60,000 in total (€10,000 in rent if the property is located in Gozo or South Malta).
• €58,000 government contribution (with an additional €7,500 per adult dependent).
• €2000 charitable donation.

This brings the total expected investment fee to €120,000. Note that the government application fee of €40,000 is separate.

What is the Malta Permanent Residency program?

Malta’s Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) is a residency by investment program offering a Certificate of Maltese Residence. This entitles successful applicants and their family members to reside indefinitely in Malta. It is part of broader immigrant investor programs, providing a pathway to becoming a Maltese citizen and enjoying the associated benefits like extremely advantageous tax exposure.

What are the Malta permanent residency requirements?

To be eligible for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), applicants must be over 18 years of age and non-EU citizens. They must meet the qualifying investment requirements, which include holding a property investment in Malta for a minimum of five years. Additionally, applicants must have a clean criminal record, acquire health insurance coverage in Malta, and be in good health and of good reputation.

Who is eligible to apply for the Malta residency visa program?

Eligibility for the Malta residency visa program includes third-country nationals (non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss nationals). Applicants must have a clean criminal record, sufficient financial means, and a valid travel document. They also must not have strong connections to sanctioned countries.

How do I become a resident of Malta?

To become a resident of Malta, and thereby gain access to the European Union, one must participate in a direct investment residency program. Applicants must appoint a Licensed Authorized Agent, complete all documentation, and make the respective investment. This investment is part of a minimum investment strategy and must be maintained for five years.

How much does it cost to get residency in Malta?

The cost of obtaining residency in Malta varies. One option is renting property, costing €12,000 per annum over five years, or €10,000 in South Malta/Gozo. Alternatively, purchasing property costs €350,000, or €300,000 in South Malta/Gozo. These are integral parts of the property investment options in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.

Is it easy to get residency in Malta?

Gaining residence in Malta is not considered easy due to the rigorous process of analysis of the applicant’s background to apply for the program.  The MPRP involves a four-tier due diligence process to ensure that only legitimate investors are granted residency, ensuring public health and safety.

What qualifies as a dependent on the application?

Dependents in the Malta residency application typically include immediate family members such as a spouse and children under 18 or over 18 if not married and financially dependent on the main applicant. In some cases, dependent parents may also qualify, depending on their financial dependency.

How long does it take to get approved for the Malta Permanent Residency Program?

The processing time for the Malta Residency by investment program usually takes between four to six months. This includes time for biometrics in Malta and the validation of submitted documents, as per the requirements of the competent Maltese authorities.

Do I need to show the source of funds for the investment?

Applicants for the for the Malta Permanent Residence Program need to demonstrate the source of their funds to obtain the residence permit. This is to ensure the legitimacy of the funds used for the investment program.

It is also required for the main applicant to provide proof of possession of assets, having a minimum value of  €500,000, out of which a minimum of €150,000 shall be in the form of financial assets.

What is the validity period of the residence card?

The Maltese residence permit under the MPRP is valid for 5 years, after which it can be renewed indefinitely for the same period, as long as the applicants continue to comply with the program requirements. 

What does the MPRP grant?

The MPRP grants permanent residency rights in Malta in exchange for a qualifying financial contribution. This grants applicants the right to visa free travel within Europe’s Schengen Area.

What are the key differences between the Malta Citizenship by investment visa and the Permanent Residence program?

These programs differ primarily in their end goals. The Malta Permanent Residence by Investment Program focuses on residency, while the Malta Citizenship by investment program is a direct route to Maltese citizenship by naturalization, offering European citizenship through significant investment.

Can I obtain permanent residency in Malta through the program?

Yes, the MPRP offers a pathway to Malta permanent residence. This program requires specific investment criteria including real estate investment and financial contributions to the government.

Who can apply as the main applicant under the MPRP?

Eligible applicants for MPRP Malta include non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss nationals over 18 with a clean criminal record and sufficient financial means. They must also not be associated with sanctioned countries, as per the government agency responsible.

What obligations must be satisfied?

To satisfy the Maltese requirements for residence, the main applicant must make a qualifying investment, have a clean criminal record, and pass due diligence. This includes ensuring no risk to Malta’s stable political climate and meeting health insurance requirements.

When is the contribution payable by the main applicant?

The contribution for the Malta Permanent Residency Program must be paid within eight months after receiving the Letter of Approval in Principle. This is part of the administrative fees and minimum investment strategy for the program.

What type of property can the main applicant buy or rent?

For the MPRP, qualifying properties must be residential, not commercial. This is a crucial aspect of the property investment strategy under the program.

How much time is allowed to satisfy the obligations?

Applicants have a maximum of eight months from receiving their Letter of Approval in Principle to fulfill all obligations under the Malta Permanent Residence program.

Can I get residency in Malta if I buy a house?

Yes, purchasing a house of a certain value can lead to residency in Malta. A minimum property value is set at €300,000 in South Malta/Gozo or €350,000 in other areas. This is part of the Malta Permanent Residency Program, requiring a direct investment in property.