Malta Citizenship / Malta Residency

Immigration by Investment: Frequently Asked Questions

The following are questions frequently asked about the Maltese Citizenship by Investment program. If you don't find your answers here, please contact us at your convenience. 

Q: What are some of the reasons the Malta residency / citizenship by investment programs are attracting so many international investors?

A: International business executives, investors, VIPs as well as affluent citizens worldwide consider Malta citizenship a powerful asset and safety net should the living conditions at home become unbearable.

Applicants realize that the Maltese residency/citizenship provides several benefits, including:

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Q: What are the costs involved with applying for citizenship or permanent residency?

A: There are three main types of expenses: government-mandated investments, government application fees, and service provider legal fees.
Please contact us to receive a detailed quotation.

Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program Fees (Malta Citizenship / Passport):
    1. Malta Exceptional Direct Investment (Donation, Non-refundable):
        Main applicant: EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option)
        Each dependent (if any): EUR 50,000

    2. Malta Philanthropic Donation:
        Main applicant only: EUR 10,000

    3. Malta Property Investment (minimum 5 year holding period):
        Main applicant only: Property purchase at EUR 700,000 or property rental at EUR 16,000 per year

    4. Malta Government Fees:
        Residence permit fee, main applicant: EUR 5,000
        Residence permit fee, per dependent (if any): EUR 1,000
        Citizenship eligibility due diligence fee, main applicant: EUR 15,000
        Citizenship eligibility due diligence fee, per dependent over the age of 12 (if any): EUR 10,000
        Citizenship eligibility administrative fee, each applicant: EUR 1,000
        Citizenship administrative fee, main applicant: EUR 5,000
        Citizenship administrative fee, per dependent (if any): EUR 1,000

    5. Legal Fees:
        Depending on the number of family members to be included.


Malta MRVP Permanent Residency Program Fees:
    1. Malta Government Contribution (Donation, Non-refundable):
        Main applicant: EUR 30 000
        Spouse: no charge
        Dependent, unmarried children: no charge
        Dependent parent: EUR 5 000
        Dependent grandparent: EUR 5 000

    2. Malta Government Investment Requirements (Refundable after 5 year holding period):
        Main applicant only: Government-approved securities valued at EUR 250 000 (may be financed)
        Main applicant only: Property purchase at EUR 320 000 or property rental at EUR 12 000 per year (EUR 270 000 / EUR 10 000 in the south or Gozo)

    3. Legal Fees:
        Depending on the number of family members to be included.

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Q: What is the difference between the Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program, the Global Residence Program (GRP), and the Malta Residence and Visa Program (MRVP)?

A: The Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program offers applicants a path to Malta citizenship and passport in return for a one-time investment. For a single applicant the minimum one-time cost under the Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program is approximately €650,000 excluding legal fees.

As a EU citizen you are allowed to live, work, study in any of the 26 European Union countries. EU 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.

Please use our contact form to receive a comprehensive quotation which depends on the number of family members to be included.


The Maltese Global Residence Program (GRP) offers 1-year residency in Malta, 90-day visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, and the option to apply for a Malta work permit.

However, residency status under the GRP program needs to be renewed annually to avoid expiration. The annual expense, a minimum tax, to renew residency is approximately €15,000. Further, the applicant is required to rent a residence at an annual lease of no less than €8,750 (a property purchase is also acceptable). Thus, the total minimum expense to renew the GRP permit each year is approximately €24,000.

GRP visa applicants may 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. To take advantage of the tax benefit GRP applicants must refrain from staying in any other jurisdiction for more than 182 days and becoming a tax resident in that other country.

Processing can be as fast as 3-4 months. The GRP does not automatically lead to EU citizenship, and it does not automatically result in receiving a European passport.


The Malta Residency and Visa Program (MRVP), also known as the "Malta Golden Visa", leads to residency (meaning the permission to live in Malta as long as desired), visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, but unlike the GRP it has no recurring minimum tax. In other words, the MRVP does not need to be renewed each year.

The first MRVP investment option is a financing package at a one-time, non-recoverable expense of EUR 120,000 plus EUR 10,000 annual property lease (a property purchase is also acceptable). This expense covers all government, financing, and legal fees.

The second MRVP investment option is a bond investment which can be sold after a 5 year holding period. The total cost for this option is EUR 250,000 for the bonds (refundable after 5 years) plus EUR 30,000 government contribution plus EUR 10,000 annual property lease (a property purchase is also acceptable) plus legal fees.

Regardless of which MRVP investment option is chosen, the main applicant must declare that he/she has an annual income of at least EUR 100,000 arising outside of Malta, or that he/she owns assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, other) valued at no less than EUR 500,000. Applicants using the financing package must also demonstrate EUR 250,000 in liquid funds such as bank savings which cannot be used for the application.

The MRVP program leads to Malta residency in as little as 6-8 months, but just like the GRP program it does not automatically lead to the Maltese (EU) citizenship and the EU passport. Residents may file a citizenship application after 6 years in residency status, but any citizenship application may be approved or rejected entirely at the discretion of the minister and the department in charge. There is no guarantee that an approval will be granted, and any approval typically takes 10-15 years!

The following table compares both residency programs:



These cost estimates are exclusive of government and attorneys fees and will vary based upon the number of family members to be included. Please contact us for a checklist of all required application documents and to receive a detailed quotation. If you are planning to apply for more than one family ask us about a group discount.

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Q: What is the difference between the Ordinary Residence (OR) program and The Residence Program (TRP)?

A: Both programs are only available for EU nationals, meaning applicants who are already a citizen of another EU member country. Both programs allow EU citizens to live in Malta indefinitely. The Residence Program (TRP) offers a special flat tax of 15% on income brought into Malta (EUR 15,000 annual tax minimum) which makes this program especially attractive to high income individuals.

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Q: What is the minimum investment required to obtain the Malta citizenship?

A: Applicants for the Malta (EU) citizenship program are required to make a one-time financial commitment in support of the economic development of Malta. 

The Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services program, leading to the Malta passport, is available to qualified investors at EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option) plus government application charges and legal fees.

In addition, the main applicant must make a philanthropic donation in the amount of EUR 10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization.

Further, the main applicant must establish a residence in Malta through either (a) purchasing real estate valued at no less than EUR 700,000 or (b) renting a property at no less than EUR 16,000 per year.

The minimum one-time cost for a single applicant under the Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program is approximately €650,000 which includes government charges, but does not include legal fees.

NOTE: No investments need to be made before the Approval in Principle is issued by the government. This ensures investments will only become due after your application has been approved.

Please use our contact form to receive a detailed cost estimate.

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Q: How will new citizens be taxed?

A: Malta taxation is only based on domicile (your permanent home), and not on residency or citizenship status.

Under Maltese Law, at birth you automatically acquire your domicile status (Domicile of Origin) from your father. If your father later changes his domicile to a new location (Domicile of Choice), yours automatically changes to this new location as well. On attaining the age of 18, you are allowed to acquire a new domicile of choice, but there is no such requirement.

This means if you don’t make Malta your domicile, then only income and capital gains generated from activities inside Malta are fully taxable. Income arising outside of Malta and not sent to Malta is not taxable. In addition, capital gains arising outside of Malta even if brought into Malta are not taxable for non-domiciled residents.

In other words, tax is due only on (a) income generated inside of Malta, (b) capital gains arising inside of Malta, and (c) income generated outside of Malta and remitted to Malta.

Other Tax Considerations:
 

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Q: Can I include my family with my application?

A: Yes. The main applicant may include a spouse, children up to and including age 28 (if financially dependent), and all parents.
 

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Q: Will my citizenship expire?

A: No. When you acquire citizenship under the Maltese citizenship program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.
 

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Q: Do I need to move to Malta or live in Malta for a minimum number of days during the year to qualify for the program?

A: Applicants do not need to move to Malta or live in the country for a full year to satisfy the one year, or three year, residency requirement. Instead, an applicant can meet the requirement by proving a genuine link with Malta as evidenced by, for example, several visits per year, showing water and electricity bills, having a club membership, engaging in any business activity in Malta, and similar. Our attorneys will assist you to be in full compliance with Maltese regulations.

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Q: Approximately how long does the application process take until I am granted citizenship?

A: The Malta citizenship application process is performed in two stages: the first stage is Malta residency, the second stage is Malta citizenship. The residency stage takes approximately 15 working days to process, after which residency status is conferred upon the applicant. The main applicant and any dependents are provided with an E-Residence document which is equivalent to a Schengen Visa, grating borderless travel to all Schengen countries.

After you receive residency status your assigned attorney will work with you on preparing your citizenship application. The application can be filed immediately after you have been in residency status for 12 months (or 36 months, depending on your choice of investment option).

Average citizenship stage processing durations for the Citizenship for Exceptional Services program have not been established as of yet. Previous citizenship application processing times ranged from 3 to 6 months.  

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Q: Can you help me with obtaining Malta citizenship by descent?

A: Yes. Please use the contact form at the bottom of this page and briefly describe your family's Maltese background.

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Q: Can you help me find suitable real estate in Malta?

A: Yes. We are associated with licensed real estate agencies and developers in Malta and can help you find an ideal property that fulfills the program's real estate investment requirement.

Our professional relationships in Malta guarantee to our clients a smooth, comprehensive service that includes identifying suitable properties, providing transport for property viewings, drafting/reviewing legal contracts, and/or liaising with local notaries and architects as needed.

When you decide on a property for purchase we can arrange for a Power of Attorney to appear on your behalf without the need for you to come again to Malta for the signature of any necessary contracts.

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Q: How soon can I sell my Malta real estate?

A: The citizenship program requires property to be held for five years after receiving citizenship status. After this period, property in Malta can be sold completely exempt from tax if it has been held for three years as the resident’s sole and ordinary residence. If the property is sold before having been used as the resident’s sole residence for three years, a final property tax of 12% is chargeable on the selling price.

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Q: Do I need to invest in a Malta company and create jobs to qualify for the program?

A: No. Unlike other programs such as the EB-5 Investor Visa in the United States, Malta has no requirements to invest in a business or create new jobs.

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Q: Will the Malta citizenship automatically grant me European citizenship?

A: Yes. Because Malta is a member of the European Union its citizens are automatically European citizens, which means you are allowed to live, work or study anywhere in Europe.

However, please note that the total number of citizenships (total number of passports) the Maltese government has made available under this program is limited to only 400 per year! If you are ready to file an application please contact us for additional information. 

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Q: What is Malta's position on crypto currency and blockchain technology?

A: Malta is fast establishing itself as the premier destination for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The government's regulatory framework will cover traders, asset management, and exchange platforms, thus making Malta the world’s friendliest jurisdiction for the sector. Our associated crypto / blockchain professionals are published experts in this field who can advise you on best practices for crypto-related topics in Malta. Please use our blockchain contact form for additional information. 

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Q: Can you help me with finding a job?

A: Sorry, the immigration by investment programs were developed by the government to attract high net worth individuals, business owners, VIPs and other individuals with the financial means to support themselves and the local economy. Please note: New citizens do not need any work permission; they may work in any of the EU member countries. New residents may apply for a Malta work permit, but would need to find their own employment opportunities.

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Q: Can you help me get a tourist or a student visa?

A: Sorry, we cannot assist with tourist or student visas. However, if your intent is to file an application for residency or citizenship we may assist with the initial travel visa to schedule an in-person appointment at our offices.

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Q: What are the major differences among the various immigration by investment programs?

A:  The Bulgaria Citizenship by Investment Program provides the applicant with several investment options starting at EUR 512,000 for Malta citizenship and passport after five years in residency status. The "fast track option" starts at EUR 390,000 and shortens this period to only 18 months.

The Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Program provides the applicant with several investment options starting at EUR 2,0 million for immediate Malta citizenship and passport. The entire citizenship application process can be as fast as 3 - 6 months.

The Greece Golden Visa allows non-EU applicants to file for Greek residency by way of a EUR 250,000 investment in local real estate. The applicant may file for Greek citizenship after seven years of permanent residency.

The Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program provides the applicant with Malta (EU) citizenship in return for an investment to support the economic development of Malta. The main applicant is required to make an investment (non-refundable donation) in the amount of EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option) plus a philanthropic donation in the amount of EUR 10,000. For applicants who are only seeking Malta residency and Schengen travel benefits, options start at an annual recurring expense of EUR 24,000. 

The Monaco Residency / Citizenship Program allows applicants to file for Monaco residency by proving access to sufficient accommodations and financial self-sufficiency. The applicant may file for Monaco citizenship after ten years of permanent residency.

The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program requires an investment of EUR 350,000 in real estate, or the transfer of 1 Million Euro, or the creation of 10 new jobs in Portugal. After 5 years of Portuguese residency, citizenship can be applied for.

The Spain Golden Visa requires a EUR 500,000 minimum investment in real estate, or a 1 Million Euro asset transfer, or a 2 Million Euro securities investment, or the creation of a new government-approved business project in return for Spanish residency. After 10 years of residency the applicant may file for citizenship.


Outside of the EU, citizenship by investment programs include those offered by Canada, the United States of America, and the Caribbean nations of Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Dominica, and St. Lucia:

Canada offers several residency by investment options, leading to citizenship if desired, starting at CAD 200,000.

The United States EB-5 Program leads to permanent residency status and citizenship in the United States for a minimum investment of US-Dollar 900,000 in a commercial enterprise in the U.S. that generates at least 10 jobs for Americans. After five years as a permanent resident the investor may apply for U.S. citizenship.

The Caribbean nations of Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Dominica, and St. Lucia offer citizenship programs requiring a cash contribution of at least US-Dollar 100,000.

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Q: What does "Schengen Area" mean?

A: The Malta citizenship allows you to travel without restrictions across the "Schengen Area" of the European Union. The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passport and immigration controls at their common borders. It functions as a single country for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. Source: Wikipedia

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Q: Will I be able to travel to the United States with the Malta passport?

A: Yes. The Malta passport will allow you to travel to the U.S. under the visa waiver program which allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less. Source: U.S. Government


Please contact us for a detailed cost estimate or confidential consultation.  Our attorneys are ready to assist you with attaining your investment objectives and answer any questions you might have about all of Malta's Residency / Citizenship by Investment programs.