Malta Residency: Security. Opportunity. Peace of mind.

Malta (EU) permanent residency for investors and their families.
Live and work in Malta.

In an effort to support the country's economy, Malta, located south of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea, is offering residency status to foreign investors, freelancers, founders, and retirees. Maltese residents may live in Malta as long as they maintain their residency status. Malta residents may also apply for a Malta work permit and participate in the social services system. 

International business people, investors, freelancers and retirees worldwide consider Malta (permanent) residency a powerful asset and/or safety net should the living conditions at home become undesirable.

Because Malta allows dual citizenship, many applicants prefer applying for Maltese nationality, i.e. the Malta passport, while retaining the citizenship of their home country. Because the residency programs of Malta do not automatically lead to citizenship, clients are advised to apply under the Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations.

The Malta Residency Programmes

Malta offers different residency programmes that are targeted at EU and non-EU nationals who wish to become residents of the country. The main residency programmes available include the following:

(A) MALTA PERMANENT RESIDENCE PROGRAMME (MPRP)

The Malta MPRP programme is a permanent residency programme for non-EU nationals. It requires a one-time investment, and provides a permanent residency certificate which is valid for life. This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.

(B) MALTA GLOBAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMME (GRP)

The Malta GRP programme is a renewable 1-year residency visa for non-EU nationals that offers visa-free Schengen travel benefits and special tax advantages. This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.

(C) MALTA ORDINARY RESIDENCE (OR)

The Malta OR programme is only available for EU nationals (citizens of the EU including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland) who want to live in Malta 183 days per year or longer. This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.

(D) MALTA Tax RESIDENCE PROGRAMME (TRP)

The Malta tax residency programme for EU citizens requires applicants to declare they do not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction outside of Malta, but there is no requirement to spend 183 days inside Malta. The special tax rate on income brought into Malta is 15% (annual minimum tax: EUR 15,000). This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.

(E) MALTA RETIREMENT PROGRAMME (MRP)

The Malta retirement program is targeted at retirees (EU and non-EU nationals) who receive a pension to be transmitted to Malta. The amount of the pension must equal at least 75% of the applicant’s total income. This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.

(F) MALTA NOMAD RESIDENCE PERMIT (MNRP)

The Malta Nomad Residence Permit ("Digital Nomad Visa") is a renewable 1-year visa available to applicants who are not citizens of an EU member country. Applicants must be able to work independent of location for companies or clients which must be located outside of Malta. The Nomad Residence Permit does not entitle the holder to social benefits in Malta, and it does not lead to Malta (EU) residency or citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.

(G) Malta Startup Residence Programme (MSRP)

The Malta Startup Residence program is available to startup founders, co-founders, and their core employees and families who are of non-EU nationality and who register their venture in Malta at a minimum EUR 25,000 capital investment. The startup must be younger than 7 years and must not yet have distributed a profit. Applicants are required to be financially self-sufficient, move to Malta, and pay taxes here. Applicants must rent or purchase a property in Malta, obtain health insurance, and pass all background checks. The residence permit is valid for 3 years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the Malta government for an additional 5 years. The startup residence program does not entitle the holder to social benefits in Malta, and it does not lead to Malta (EU) residency or citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.

The Benefits of Malta Residency

Business executives, affluent citizens, retirees, and freelancers around the world are applying for Malta temporary or permanent residency for work-related reasons, international tax planning, and to provide their families with a better quality of life.

Applicants realize that the Maltese residency can provide several benefits, including:

Visa free travel Across the EU Schengen zone

Malta residency offers Schengen borderless travel which is attractive especially for business executives who frequently travel in the European Union.

A better quality of life for the family

Malta is a safe country that offers a low cost of living index. Clean air, property rights, and freedom of speech are enjoyed by all. Multiple cultures live side by side in peace and harmony. The country has long been a vacation spot for Europeans and high net worth individuals who flock to the island for its sunny and warm climate year-round. Malta offers a modern infrastructure ranging from reliable phone and internet service to secure banking to well-established air and sea routes connecting the island to the European mainland and international destinations.

A better education for the applicant’s children

Because of the country's history as a former British colony the Maltese school system reflects the British structure. There are two school categories: state schools and private schools. State schools are free to all students (including free transportation and free books), while private schools such as international schools charge tuition fees. For more information about the Maltese school system please click here.

Attractive Tax System

Malta is an attractive financial center due to its highly favorable tax system and strategic location at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia. Applicants are advised to secure the services of an independent tax specialist.

High Standard of Living

Malta residents benefit from a high standard of living due to their access to reputable private schools, trustworthy private medical facilities and Malta having among the lowest crime rates within Europe. In Malta, multiple cultures live side by side in peace and harmony. The air is unpolluted, property rights are codified into law, and residents/citizens enjoy freedom of expression.

(A) MALTA PERMANENT RESIDENCE PROGRAMME (MPRP)

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (L.N. 121 of 2021) for non-EU nationals offers applicants the right (without obligation) to live in Malta year-round, 90-day visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, and the option to apply for a Malta work permit. It requires a one-time investment and provides a permanent residency certificate which is valid for life.

Family members, such as a spouse, children, parents and grandparents may be included if they are financially dependent on the main applicant.

Standard processing is about 4 to 6 months from the submission of a complete and correct application.

The applicant makes the required investments after receiving the residency approval in principle, and residing in Malta continuously during or after the residency application period is not a requirement. Please contact us to receive a detailed quotation.

(B) MALTA GLOBAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMME (GRP)

The Maltese Global Residence Programme (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 programme 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 plus fees.

GRP visa applicants can 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.

This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.  

(C) MALTA ORDINARY RESIDENCE (OR)

The Malta ordinary residence programme is only available for EU nationals (citizens of the EU including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland) who want to live in Malta 183 days per year or longer.

The program requires the applicant to 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).

Income brought into Malta is fully taxable.

This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.  

(D) MALTA RESIDENCE PROGRAMME (TRP)

The Malta tax residency programme is only available for EU nationals (citizens of the EU including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland) and requires applicants to declare they do not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction outside of Malta - but there is no requirement to spend 183 days inside Malta.

The special tax rate on income brought into Malta is 15% (annual minimum tax: EUR 15,000).

This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.  

(E) MALTA RETIREMENT PROGRAMME (MRP)

The Malta retirement program is targeted at retirees (EU and non-EU nationals) who receive a pension to be transmitted to Malta. The amount of the pension must equal at least 75% of the applicant’s total income.

Applicants must purchase or rent a personal residence. If purchased, the minimum value is EUR 275,000 (or EUR 220,000 in Gozo/South Malta). If rented, the annual minimum is EUR 9,600 (or EUR 8,750 per year in Gozo/South Malta).

Foreign source income brought into Malta is taxed at 15% with an annual minimum tax of EUR 7,500 for the main applicant, and EUR 500 for each dependent. Additional income is taxed at 35%.

This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.
   

(F) MALTA NOMAD RESIDENCE PERMIT (MNRP)

The Malta Nomad Residence Permit ("Digital Nomad Visa") is available to applicants who are not citizens of an EU member country. Applicants must be able to work independent of location and prove that (a) they are employed under a work contract issued by an employer outside of Malta, or (b) they conduct business on behalf of a company registered outside of Malta in which they are a partner or shareholder, or (c) they are a freelancer or consultant offering services to clients who are based outside of Malta.

Applicants for the Malta nomad residence permit must earn a salary of at least EUR 2,700 per month.

Applicants must rent or purchase a property in Malta, obtain health insurance, and pass all background checks.

Family members, including a spouse or partner, minor children, and dependent adult children, maybe included on the application of the main applicant.

The visa is valid for one year, and may be renewed at the discretion of the Malta government twice, for a maximum of 3 years.

The Nomad Residence Permit does not entitle the holder to social benefits in Malta, and it does not lead to Malta (EU) residency or citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.  

(G) MALTA STARTUP RESIDENCE PROGRAMME (MSRP)

The Malta Startup Residence program is available to startup founders, co-founders, their core employees and families who are of non-EU nationality and who register their venture in Malta at a minimum EUR 25,000 capital investment.

The startup must be younger than 7 years and must not yet have distributed a profit. The submission and approval of a formal business plan is required by the Malta authorities.

Applicants are also required to be financially self-sufficient, move to Malta, and pay taxes here. Applicants must rent or purchase a property in Malta, obtain health insurance, and pass all background checks.

The residence permit is valid for 3 years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the Malta government for an additional 5 years.

This program does not lead to Malta (EU) citizenship / the Malta (EU) passport.  

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Q: Will the Malta residency automatically lead to Malta (EU) citizenship and the Malta (EU) passport?

A: No. None of the residency programmes automatically lead to Malta citizenship. Malta permanent residents may file a citizenship application after 6 years in residency status, but there is no guarantee that an approval will be granted, and applications typically take 10 to 15 years to reach the approval stage.  

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Q: Are your attorneys licensed by the Malta government?

A: Yes. Our immigration attorneys are Licensed Agents by the Community Malta Agency (Aġenzija Komunita' Malta) / Authorized Registered Mandatories. Applicants for the Malta permanent residence program or for citizenship through exceptional services by direct investment are not permitted to file such applications themselves due to the complexities involved in preparing all government-mandated application forms. Applications may only be submitted to the Malta government by an agent licensed by the Community Malta Agency. Feel free to peruse the profiles of our attorneys here.

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Q: What is the difference between the Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation and the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)?

A: The Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation (Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation / MEIN) is a program that offers qualified applicants, including EU nationals and non-EU nationals, Malta residency and citizenship (the Malta passport) in return for a one-time contribution to the Malta economy as outlined on our Malta Citizenship by Investment page.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), on the other hand, leads to residency, meaning the permission to live in Malta as long as desired, and visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area for 90 out of 180 days. It does not automatically lead to the Maltese (EU) citizenship and the Malta 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 at that time. There is no guarantee that an approval will be granted, and applications typically take 10 to 15 years to reach the approval stage.

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Q: How will new residents be taxed?

A: In general, 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:
 
Because taxation is a serious matter, we recommend conferring with your trusted tax advisor in your home country as well as in Malta.

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Q: Can I include my family with my Malta residency application?

A: Yes. Depending on the type of residency program selected, the main applicant may include dependents, such as a spouse, children, parents, and grandparents who rely on the main applicant for financial support. 
 

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Q: Will my residency expire?

A: The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) confers residency for life. Other residence programs require periodic renewals.
 

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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 residency?

A: In general, applicants do not need to move to Malta or live in the country year-round. A genuine link with the country can be 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 depending on the residence program of your choice.

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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 a property that fulfills all application requirements.

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: Will the Malta residency automatically lead to Malta (EU) citizenship and the Malta (EU) passport?

A: No. None of the residency programs automatically lead to Malta citizenship. Residents may file a citizenship application after 6 years in residency status, but there is no guarantee that an approval will be granted, and applications typically take 10 to 15 years to reach the approval stage.  

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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: What does "Schengen Area" mean?

A: Malta residency/citizenship allows you to travel without restrictions across the "Schengen Area" of the European Union. The Schengen zone 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


Please contact us for a detailed cost estimate or confidential consultation in person, or by phone, Zoom, or email. Our attorneys are ready to assist you with attaining your investment objectives and answer any questions you might have about immigrating to Malta.