Residence by investment in Malta

The Malta residence by investment programme, also known as the Malta Golden Visa, officially known as the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), allows non-EU nationals to obtain permanent residence in Malta through a qualifying investment.

This programme provides access to Malta’s stable economy, high quality of life and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. The programme also brings the right to live indefinitely in Malta, a safe and strategically located EU country with excellent healthcare and education and a favourable tax system.

What is the Malta residence by investment programme?

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is a residence-by-investment programme allowing non-EU nationals and their families to obtain permanent residence in Malta through a qualifying investment. Introduced in 2021 as a replacement for the Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP), the MPRP provides a straightforward route to live, settle and remain indefinitely in Malta.

The main benefits include visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, access to Malta’s high-quality healthcare and education and a favourable tax environment. The programme has no strict minimum stay requirement, but a stay of 14 to 21 days is recommended.

Applicants may also be eligible for special tax incentives, depending on the investment and whether they reside in the country. For details of the potential tax implications, it is recommended that they consult a legal adviser. Eligibility requires a property investment or lease, a government contribution to the National Development and Social Fund, and a contribution to local charitable organisations.

The benefits of the Malta residence by investment programme

• EU residence in a Schengen country:Grants the right to reside indefinitely in Malta, a safe and stable EU country, and allows visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• ETIAS and EES exemption:Holders are exempt from the ETIAS requirement and EES biometric checks, ensuring hassle-free travel and smoother border crossings across the Schengen countries.
• LGBT+ friendly: same-sex couples may apply to the programme. Malta is regarded as one of the most progressive countries in the world on LGBT+ rights, providing a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• No physical presence requirement:There is no obligation to live in Malta permanently, making the programme ideal for those seeking flexibility.
• Inclusion of family:The programme allows a spouse, children, parents and grandparents to be included under one application.
• A favourable tax system: Malta has a remittance-based tax system, meaning that foreign-source income not remitted to Malta is not taxed. There is also no inheritance, wealth or estate tax.
• An investment-friendly environment:Malta provides a gateway to investment opportunities in the wider EU. Malta’s thriving sectors, such as fintech, gaming and blockchain, attract global investors. The country also allows the possibility of earning investment returns through owning high-end property.
• A high quality of life:The country offers a Mediterranean lifestyle with excellent healthcare and education and a pleasant climate. English is also an official language, making integration easier.
• Permanent residence with long-term stability:Unlike a temporary residence permit, the MPRP brings lifetime residence rights with a residence card renewable every 5 years.

Eligibility for the Malta residence by investment programme

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

• Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
• Must be able to invest the amount needed to meet the eligibility criteria.
• Must demonstrate sufficient financial resources, ensuring that they can support themselves and their dependants without relying on Malta’s social support system.
• Must hold assets worth at least EUR 500,000, of which EUR 150,000 must be financial assets, or assets worth EUR 650,000, of which EUR 75,000 are financial assets.
• The principal applicant and all dependants must maintain valid health insurance covering the whole European Union and should provide comprehensive cover for all risks in Malta.
• All applicants, including dependants, must present a clean criminal record certificate.
• Although there is no minimum stay requirement, applicants must undertake to retain their qualifying investment for at least 5 years.

Eligible dependants

• A spouse or common-law partner (including same-sex partners).
• Children under 18.
• Children aged 18-29 who are principally dependent on the principal applicant and unmarried.
• Dependent parents and grandparents (financially dependent with no age limit).
• The spouse of an approved dependant.
• The minor children of an approved dependent child and/or of their approved spouse.

To be eligible, adult children up to the age of 29 must be financially dependent on the principal applicant, unmarried and without children. Siblings, however, are not eligible for the Malta residence by investment programme.

Malta Golden Visa residence by investment options

To apply to the programme and obtain a permanent residence card in Malta, individuals may choose between two property investment options: purchasing a property or renting a property under a lease, make a government contribution to the National Development and Social Fund, and make a charitable donation.

Applicants must support the Maltese community and economy through these investments and provide accurate information during the application process.

Option 1 – Renting a property

• Minimum annual rent: EUR 14,000 in Malta or Gozo
• Minimum lease period: 5 years
• Government contribution: EUR 37,000
• Charitable donation: EUR 2,000 to a registered Maltese non-governmental organisation

Additional notes:The property must be rented within 8 months of the Letter of Approval in Principle (LOA). Subletting is permitted after 5 years, subject tothe guidance of the Residency Malta Agency.

Option 2 – Purchasing a property

• Minimum property value: EUR 375,000 in Malta or Gozo
• Minimum holding period: 5 years
• Government contribution: EUR 37,000
• Charitable donation: EUR 2,000 to a registered Maltese non-governmental organisation

Additional notes:

• The property must be purchased within 8 months of the Letter of Approval in Principle (LOA).
• Owners may rent their property to third parties when not residing in Malta, provided this is done in accordance with the rules and conditions of the Residency Malta Agency.

The donation must be made after the Letter of Approval is issued, and evidence must be submitted with it for the final process. The licensed agent must request approval from the Residency Malta Agency in relation to the chosen non-governmental organisation.

Documentary requirements of the Malta residence by investment programme

Below, we cover the general documents that everyone needs to support a residence application under the Malta residence by investment programme. Note that this is not an exhaustive list, and for the full documentary requirements, everyone may consult our document checklist here:The list of documents required for the MPRP.

Please note that the Maltese government may change the documentary requirements at any time and has full discretion to do so.

Supporting documents for the Malta residence by investment programme:

• A valid passport for all applicants and birth certificates (where applicable)
• A criminal record certificate for all applicants over 14, issued by the competent authority in the country of origin or the country of residence where the applicant has resided for more than 6 months in the past 10 years.
• Health insurance is required to confirm that the principal applicant and their dependants do not have a serious or communicable illness. In addition, a medical assessment by the Residency Malta Agency ensures that they are in good health and will not place an unreasonable burden on the national health system.
• An undertaking to purchase or rent property in Malta in accordance with the legal requirements
• Personal information collected for the due diligence process carried out by the agent to ensure there is no evidence that the principal applicant or their dependants are unsuitable or inappropriate for the programme.
• A power of attorney with a verified agent.
• A medical report and questionnaire.
• Evidence of the source of funds and financial assets (principal applicant only).
• Bank statements (principal applicant only).
• Evidence of business ownership or employment (principal applicant or supporter only).
• An undertaking to remit the total contributions payable and the contributions required to apply to the programme.
• Evidence of sufficient assets, including financial assets, that is, operating agreements, title deeds, ownership certificates, bank statements, portfolio statements, and so on.

The temporary residence permit (TRP)

Applicants are now issued a 1-year temporary residence permit, renewable annually. All documents must be submitted at the biometrics appointment, including evidence of payment of the EUR 15,000 administrative fee.

Additional documents required at the TRP stage:

• A covering letter setting out the intention to reside
• A health insurance policy with EUR 100,000 of cover
• Bank statements for the most recent 3 months
• Form K and the Subscriber Agreement
• The KYC report
• Property documents
• Due diligence remains mandatory for all applicants aged 14 and over.

Important notice: a strict due diligence process applies as part of the Malta residence by investment programme application process. Moreover, to apply, everyone must do so through a Licensed Authorised Agent who essentially acts under their power of attorney. Note that, to improve the chances of a successful outcome, ensure that all documents are in place and correctly submitted (certified against the originals).

The application form and other accompanying documents must be completed in English. Where the original language of an accompanying document is not English, the document must be accompanied by a certified translation into English.

The Malta residence by investment programme application process

1. Preparing documents:Before beginning the application, gather all the necessary documents set out above.
2. Signing the power of attorney:To begin the process, everyone must sign the Power of Attorney document, granting the licensed agent authority to act on their behalf on all matters relating to the MPRP.
3. Submitting the application and paying the fee:Once the documents are prepared, the licensed agent submits the application package on everyone’s behalf, and a receipt is issued to confirm submission. The non-refundable application fee of EUR 15,000 must then be paid. The process usually takes 24 – 48 hours for the agency to acknowledge the submission.
4. The temporary residence permit:Applicants must first travel to Malta for biometrics, after which a 1-year temporary residence permit, renewable annually, is issued. The permit is issued after background checks and is granted around 6 weeks after the biometrics appointment.
5. The letter of approval in principle or refusal:The final application is presented to the Approval Board, which assesses everyone’s application. Following the assessment, everyone receives either a Letter of Approval in Principle, meaning that they are eligible, or a Letter of Refusal.
6. Making the qualifying investment:After receiving approval in principle, everyone must make the required investment within 8 months, comprising the government contribution, the property investment and the charitable donation. In addition, the remaining administrative fee of EUR 45,000 is paid before receiving the residence certificate.
7. Final detailed checks and issue of the residence certificate:Once evidence of the investment is verified, the Residency Malta Agency carries out final background checks. When everything is approved, the agency issues the Certificate of Permanent Residence, allowing the applicant and their family to live in Malta long term. The whole process may take several months to complete.
8. The final letter of approval:Once due diligence is successfully completed, everyone receives a Final Letter of Approval, giving the green light to obtain the residence permit.
9. Collection of biometric data and issue of the residence card:After final approval, everyone and their dependants must travel to Malta to submit biometric data (for example: fingerprints, photographs). The residence card is issued once all the criteria are met and the investment is made. Each card is valid for 5 years and may be renewed thereafter. Minors reaching the age of 14 or 18 have a residence card valid until one month before their birthday.
10. Annual compliance:During the first 5 years, the Residency Malta Agency contacts everyone’s agent to submit:
    • Evidence of everyone’s property lease, and
    • Evidence of sickness insurance (by presenting the policy annually).
    • After the first 5 years, the Residency Malta Agency (RMA) may request these documents as needed.

The residence period required under the Malta residence by investment programme

• Months 1–2: intake and document preparation
• Month 3: issue of the temporary residence permit (TRP)
• Months 4–8: application processing and detailed checks
• Month 9: the letter of approval in principle (AIP)
• Months 10–11: completing the investment and paying the fees
• Month 12: final approval and issue of the Certificate of Permanent Residence

How much does the Malta residence by investment programme cost?

In total, this is a breakdown of the overall investment costs for the Malta residence by investment programme:

• Administrative fees: EUR 60,000 divided into manageable amounts: EUR 15,000 at the initial stage and EUR 45,000 on approval.
• The property rental option: EUR 14,000 a year (EUR 70,000 in total over 5 years)
• The property purchase option: EUR 375,000
• Non-refundable administrative fee: EUR 45,000
• Government contribution: EUR 37,000
• Donation: EUR 2,000
• For each additional dependant on the application over 18 other than a spouse: EUR 7,500

An outline of tax in Malta

Obtaining permanent residence in Malta through the MPRP programme does not automatically make everyone a taxpayer in their place of residence. To be considered in this way, an investor must spend at least 183 days in Malta in the tax year.

Malta’s tax system

Malta has a worldwide tax system, meaning that residents are taxed on worldwide income, but the country offers attractive tax options for individuals and businesses.

1. Non-dom tax status:Where you are a Maltese resident but not domiciled there, you are taxed only on income brought into Malta from other countries. Any income or capital gains from outside Malta that are not brought into the country are not taxed. However, there is a minimum tax of EUR 5,000 a year for non-dom individuals.
2. Tax for married individuals:Where a spouse is ordinarily resident in Malta, everyone is taxed on worldwide income, not only on income brought into Malta.
3. Personal income tax:Malta uses a progressive tax system for personal income, ranging from 0% to 35%.