CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT BLOG

Malta Immigration by Investment

April 2024 Update: The Malta Citizenship by Investment Guide - All You Need to Know

February 2021 Update: Malta investment immigration: what are the options?

Answer: Many international business executives, investors, public figures, VIPs, and affluent citizens of other countries consider an alternative residency or citizenship and passport a powerful tool for international tax planning and a safety net should the living conditions at home become unbearable. Malta offers qualifying applicants three major immigration by investment options:

- Malta (EU) Residency and Citizenship/Passport: Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation

- Malta (EU) Permanent Residency: until March 28, 2021: Malta Residence and Visa Program (MRVP). Starting March 29, 2021: Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

- Malta (EU) 1-year (Tax) Residency: Global Residence Program (GRP)

- Malta Ordinary Residence Program (OR) for EU nationals

- Malta Residence Program (TRP) for EU-nationals


The following is a summary of the various options available to qualified investors. For more details please visit our Malta website.

Malta Investment Programs
The Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation offers qualified investors Malta residency and the option to apply for Malta citizenship after 12 months or 36 months in residency status. Citizenship requires an investment of EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option) for the main applicant, plus legal and application fees, a philanthropic donation of EUR 10,000, and a property purchase of EUR 700,000 or a property rental at EUR 16,000 per year.

As a Malta citizen you and your family are allowed to live, work, and study in any of the 27 European Union countries, not just Malta. Malta citizenship also grants you access to all investment opportunities in Malta and throughout the EU member nations, as well as visa-free travel to more than 180 countries in the world, including the USA, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and most countries in North, Central and South America. 

The Malta Residence and Visa Program (MRVP), valid through March 28, 2021, leads to Malta permanent residency (meaning the permission to live in Malta as long as desired), 90-day visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, and the option to apply for a Malta work permit. This program requires a one-time investment and does not need to be renewed each year. The Malta MRVP program requires either (a) purchasing a residence valued at no less than €270,000 or (b) renting a residence at no less than €10,000 per year. The program further requires a non-refundable one-time cash contribution of €30,000 and an investment of €250,000 in government bonds to be held for a minimum of five years. If the bonds are financed, the total investment is reduced to approximately €120,000 which is a one-time expense that includes all legal fees, all government fees, and all taxes. Please contact us if you are interested in the financing option.

Starting on March 29, 2021, the MRVP program will be replaced by the new Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). Applicants are charged EUR 98,000 for administrative fees and a contribution if they rent a property. These fees are reduced to EUR 68,000 for main applicants who purchase a property. In addition, there will be a contribution payable by each dependent in the amount of EUR 7,500 and EUR 5,000 for each child over 18 years of age. The new program also requires a donation to a Maltese-registered NGO in the amount of EUR 2,000 (main applicant only). The property investment under the new MPRP program will increase to EUR 350,000 for a purchase in the northern and central parts of Malta, and EUR 300,000 in the south or Gozo. Rental rates are to remain unchanged.

The Malta Global Residence Program (GRP), offers Malta one-year residency in Malta, meaning the permission to live in Malta for one year (unless renewed each year), 90-day visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, and the option to apply for a Malta work permit. Malta residency status under the GRP program needs to be renewed annually to avoid expiration. This program is desirable especially for applicants who only require temporary EU residency status. Malta GRP visa applicants also benefit from Malta's low flat tax rate of 15% chargeable on all income remitted to Malta from foreign sources, subject to a minimum annual tax of EUR 15,000. Malta GRP applicants must refrain from staying in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days and becoming a tax resident in that other country. The annual expense, a minimum tax, to renew residency is approximately €15,000. Further, the applicant is required to either (a) purchase local real estate valued at no less than €220,000 or (b) rent a residence (house or apartment) at an annual lease of no less than €8,750. Thus, the total minimum expense to renew the GRP permit each year is approximately €24,000.

The Malta Ordinary Residence Program (OR) for EU nationals requires applicants demonstrate financial self-sufficiency, which is defined as having available funds of at least EUR 14,000 for a single person (EUR 23,000 for married couples). Further, the applicant must purchase or lease a property in Malta. There is no minimum property value requirement. Benefits include the freedom to reside and work in Malta, visa-free Schengen travel, and fast processing (6-8 weeks). Family members can be included.

The Malta Residence Program (TRP) for EU-nationals requires applicants to declare they do not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction outside of Malta. The tax rate on income brought into Malta is 15% (annual minimum tax: EUR 15,000). Further, the applicant must purchase or lease a property in Malta with a minimum property value of EUR 275,000 for property in Central/North Malta (or EUR 220,000 for property in Gozo or South Malta). Candidates may alternatively opt for rental of property at EUR 9,600 (or EUR 8,750 per year in Gozo/South Malta). Benefits include the freedom to reside and work in Malta, visa-free Schengen travel, fast processing (3 – 4 months), and a 15% flat rate tax on income remitted to Malta. Family members and domestic staff can be included.

Because immigration by investment programs can change over time please contact us to speak with an advisor or to receive a preliminary quotation. The information provided in this blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal or financial advice.

MALTA INFORMATION CENTER

Everything you need to know about Malta citizenship, residency, and real estate.

Malta Citizenship

Malta Residency

Malta Real Estate

Click here for the Malta citizenship by investment program. Click here for the Malta residency programs.

To start the application process online please register here.

For a detailed cost estimate or to schedule a confidential consultation please use our contact form.
 

Zenturo Ltd.

Residency & Citizenship by Investment Programs Worldwide

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Santa Venera, SVR 1016
Malta

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Immigration by Investment Press Coverage:

Malta Immigration Programs