Malta provides a Permanent Residence Programme (PRP), while Portugal has a Golden Visa that can lead to citizenship. Portugal is often chosen by those focused on citizenship because it offers a direct route, with minimal physical presence of seven days per year and a basic language requirement. Malta’s PRP grants immediate life-long residency, but the path to citizenship through naturalization takes longer with greater requirements.
Both options allow non-EU citizens to invest in either country’s economy in exchange for residency. However, the initial amount of capital required and lengthy bureaucratic processes could be a stumbling block for some.
In this article, we’ll compare the two residency by investment programs, taking a closer look at investment requirements, application process, and more.
Portugal vs Malta Golden Visa: Key Takeaways
⚠️ Portugal Nationality Law Changes 2025
On June 23, 2025, the Portuguese Government announced plans to amend the Nationality Law and the legal framework governing immigration. The proposals have passed the plenary vote on October 28, 2025, which marks a significant step forward in the legislative process.
Among the measures under discussion are an increase in the residence requirement for nationality from five years to ten years – seven years for nationals of CPLP and EU countries – and a change to how residency time is calculated, so that the clock would start when residency is issued rather than when the application is submitted.
These changes are not yet law. They must still undergo Presidential review. At that stage, the President may promulgate the law, issue a veto, or request a review by the Constitutional Court. The final text may still be amended, including any transitional provisions or possible grandfathering rules, but they might not be enacted because the law is not final until its promulgated.
For the latest information regarding these changes, read Portugal Nationality and Citizenship Changes 2025
What is the Portugal Golden Visa?
The Portugal Golden Visa is a temporary residency initiative for non-EU nationals who invest in the country. This program allows qualifying investors and their family members to live, work, and study in Portugal, and become permanent residents after 5 years or apply for citizenship after 10 years.
It is one of the most popular investment programs in Europe, and it is part of Portugal’s immigration strategy to attract foreign investment and stimulate the national economy.
Benefits of the Portugal Golden Visa
- Free movement: Access to 29 nations in the EU and visa-free travel to 172 nations
- Affordable investment: Options start from only €250,000
- Quick citizenship:10 years until you qualify for citizenship
- Financial stability: A sound investment in a buoyant market that can lead to real returns
- Live in your home country: Short stay requirement, average of 7 days annually.
What is the Malta Golden Visa?
Known by its official name of Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), the Malta residency by investment scheme allows non-EU citizens to get permanent residency in Malta through a three-part investment.
Since the primary goal is attracting investors to help improve Malta’s economy and society, investments include property or rental, government contributions to the National Development, Consolidated Fund, and Social Fund, and a donation to a local charity.
Benefits of the Malta Golden Visa
- Free movement: Gain full access to live, work, and study in Malta.
- Family Inclusive: Include up to 5 generations of family, including adult dependent children up to 29 years.
- No physical stay requirement: You are not obligated to live in Malta permanently, nor visit Malta in order to uphold status.
- ETIAS and EES exemption: Holders are exempt from ETIAS requirements and EES biometric checks, ensuring hassle-free travel and smoother border crossings across Schengen countries.
Portugal Golden Visa vs Malta Investment Options
One of the key differences between the two Golden Visa programs is the investment options. Portugal has several routes, whereas Malta requires investors to fulfill three conditions.
Portugal Golden Visa Investment Options
Investors have several options for where to funnel their money, including creating 10 jobs in Portugal, contributing to the restoration of Portuguese cultural facilities, or donating to scientific research.
- A minimum investment of €500,000 in a qualifying venture capital fund
- Investment or donation in the arts or reconstruction of national cultural heritage with a donation of at least €250,000
- Science or Technology research contribution of at least €500,000
- Creation and maintenance of ten jobs during the required period
- Venture capital fund of €500,000 for a commercial company with its head office in Portugal or reinforcement of a company’s share capital, combined with creating five or maintaining ten jobs (five of them permanent).
Malta Golden Visa Investment Options
To apply for the Malta Golden Visa and obtain a permanent resident permit, you have two options for real estate investment: you can either buy real estate or lease a property through a rental agreement.
Additionally, you are required to make government contributions to the National Development Fund, Consolidated Fund, and Social Fund, as well as to provide philanthropic donations. These investments should support Malta’s community and economy.
- Rent a property in Malta or Gozo for at least €14,000 per year, or buy a property in Malta or Gozo for at least €375,000
- Make a government contribution of €37,000
- Donate €2,000 to a Maltese Non-Government Organization.
If you are renting a property, the lease must be held for at least five years and cannot be sublet during this time.
Portugal vs Malta Golden Visa Eligibility
Portugal Golden Visa requirements
As with all visa and residency applications, Portugal’s Golden Visa has several requirements that must be fulfilled.
- Be either non-EU, non-Swiss, or non-EEA national
- Spend an average of seven days per year in Portugal
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of application
- Maintain the investment for a minimum of five years
- Have a clean criminal record
- Have valid health insurance
Malta Golden Visa requirements
Unlike Portugal, there is no minimum stay requirement for permanent residency in Malta. However, you must commit to holding your qualifying investments for at least five years. Additionally, there are several other requirements that must be met:
- Must be a non-EU citizen
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- Be able to invest the necessary amounts.
- Hold assets worth at least €500,000 of which €150,000 must be financial assets or assets worth €650,000 of which €75,000 are financial assets.
- Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself and any dependents
- Maintain valid health insurance that covers the entire European Union
- Must have a clean criminal record
Portugal vs Malta Golden Visa Application Process
In addition to a long list of required documents, if you want to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa, you must first get a tax identification number in Portugal and open a Portuguese bank account.
There are quite a few steps to take toward a successful Portuguese Golden Visa process, but thankfully, it is relatively straightforward. Our onboarding team will walk you through the steps, ensuring you comply with all the requirements.
However, the Malta Golden Visa is more complex. The Residency Malta Agency conducts a strict due diligence process to verify the validity of your application.
This process takes about 9 months, and the stages include financial background checks, criminal record checks, verification of personal information, and health assessments.
Here is a general overview of how the multi-step process is conducted:
- Gather all the necessary documents.
- Sign a power of attorney document to give your licensed agent the authority to act on your behalf.
- Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Travel to Malta to provide biometrics and obtain Temporary Residence to start your residency journey
- Your application for permanent residency is presented to the Approvals Board, and if approved, you will receive a Letter of Approval in Principle.
- After being approved, make the qualifying investments within eight months
- The four-tier due diligence process is conducted.
- You’ll get a letter of final approval once due diligence is completed.
- Travel to Malta, where your biometric data will be collected and the residency card issued. The card is valid for five years and renewable thereafter.
Cost of the Malta and Portugal Golden Visa
For both Golden Visa options, there are several fees beyond the initial investment. For example, Malta requires that you pay €15,000 at the initial application stage and €45,000 upon approval €60,000 administrative fee in total).
To give a better idea of the total cost of the Malta Golden Visa, if you buy a property in Malta, it will cost you a minimum of €375,000, a government donation of €37,000, and a donation of €2,000 to an NGO, and the €60,000 non-refundable administrative fee, totaling a minimum of €474,000.
If you are renting property, this means you’ll spend €14,000 on rent for five years, make the €37,000 government contribution, make the €2,000 NGO donation, and pay the €60,000 admin fee, for a total investment of a minimum of €169,000.
For each additional adult dependent (not including spouse) on your application, it will cost you an additional €7,000 per person. Children under 18 years are of no additional cost.
In contrast, in addition to the minimum investment of €250,000, Portugal requires a €605.10 application fee for a single applicant, a €6,045.20 fee for the residency permit’s issuing, and €3,023.20 for every permit renewal, for a total cost of €12,696.70 per person.
Key Differences Between Portugal and Malta’s Golden Visa
It can be overwhelming to read through each Golden Visa’s aspects, especially if you are considering either one.
Here’s a comparison of the Portugal Golden Visa and the Malta Permanent Residence Program to help you digest the data and see which visa option best suits your circumstances.
In our Global Passport Index 2025, Portugal ranks 28th and comes in 12th place for quality of life and enhanced mobility. However, Malta ranks 25th and comes in 32nd place for quality of life and 20th for enhanced mobility.
| Portugal Golden Visa | Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Type | Residency-by-investment | Permanent residency-by-investment |
| Citizenship Timeline | Eligible for citizenship after 5 years | Not a direct path; citizenship possible after 10–15 years of strong ties and physical residence |
| Free Movement | Visa-free access to 172 countries; EU and Schengen mobility | Visa-free access to 172 countries; EU and Schengen mobility |
| Minimum Investment | Starts from €250,000 | Total cost ranges from €169,000 (rental) to €474,000 (property purchase) |
| Investment Options | Cultural, scientific, or venture capital funds; job creation | Real estate (rent or purchase) + government contribution + NGO donation |
| Stay Requirement | Average of 7 days per year | No physical stay requirement |
| Residency Type | Temporary residency leading to permanent residency or citizenship | Permanent residency from the outset |
| Tax Benefits | Moderate; depends on tax residency status | Strong tax efficiency; no tax on global income or assets if not domiciled |
| Application Complexity | Straightforward; requires Portuguese NIF and bank account | Strict due diligence and multi-step process |
| Approval Timeframe | Up to 24 months (due to backlog) | Approximately 9 months |
| Main Government Fees (Single Applicant) | ~€12,697 per person (excluding investment) | Up to €60,000 administrative fees + €7,000 per additional adult dependent |
| Real Estate Option | No longer available | Required: rent (€14,000/year) or purchase (€375,000) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Non-EU/EEA/Swiss, 18+, clean criminal record, valid health insurance, maintain investment | Non-EU, 18+, minimum €500,000 in assets, clean criminal record, valid insurance |
| Renewal & Maintenance | Renewable every 2 years; investment must be maintained | Residency valid for 5 years; investment must be held for 5 years |
| Dependents | Allowed; adult children up to 25 years | Allowed; adult children up to 29 years |
⚠️ Update on Portugal's Nationality Law Changes
On 28 October 2025, Portugal's parliament approved key amendments of the Nationality Law, including increasing the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years, and 7 years for CPLP nationals and EU citizens. This will significantly impact how visa holders and residents acquire citizenship.
However, these changes are not yet law. They must still undergo Presidential review where the President may promulgate the law, issue a veto, or request a review by the Constitutional Court. The final text may still be amended but they might not be enacted because the law is not final until its promulgated.
For the latest information regarding these changes, read Portugal Nationality and Citizenship Changes 2025
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.
