Malta

Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP) Overview

The Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) grants non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals permanent residency in Malta through a structured investment combining a property commitment, a government contribution, and a donation to a registered NGO.

Under the program, permanent residency is granted for life, with no minimum stay requirement to maintain status.

The program targets investors seeking a stable, long-term EU base. The residence certificate has no expiry date, whereas the residence card must be renewed every five years. Asset levels and property obligations are monitored annually during the first five years.

The main applicant can include a spouse, unmarried financially dependent children up to age 29, and financially dependent parents and grandparents of either the main applicant or the spouse.

Eligibility Requirements

All applications must be submitted through a licensed agent. One investment structure applies, with two property sub-options, as follows:

Financial Asset Requirement

Capital of at least €500,000 (approx. US$585,000), of which a minimum of €150,000 (approx. US$175,500) must be in liquid financial assets
Alternatively, capital of €650,000 (approx. US$760,500) with at least €75,000 (approx. US$87,750) in financial assets
Asset levels monitored annually for the first five years after approval

Government Contribution and Donation

Non-refundable government contribution of €37,000 (approx. US$43,290) covering the main applicant, spouse, and minor children; €7,500 per additional adult dependent
Non-refundable administrative fee of €60,000 (approx. US$70,200), payable as €15,000 at submission and €45,000 upon approval
Non-refundable donation of at least €2,000 (approx. US$2,340) to a registered Maltese NGO in philanthropy, culture, sport, science, animal welfare, or the arts

Property Investment (Choose One)

Purchase a qualifying residential property in Malta or Gozo valued at a minimum of €375,000 (approx. US$438,750), held for at least five years
Lease a qualifying property at a minimum annual rent of €14,000 (approx. US$16,380) for at least five years

General Eligibility Conditions

Must not be a current beneficiary of another Maltese residency program
Must hold comprehensive all-risks health insurance valid across the EU
Must demonstrate stable and regular resources sufficient to maintain the household without reliance on Maltese social assistance
Must pass a fit-and-proper assessment: no criminal record, no international sanctions, no ongoing criminal investigations, and must pose no threat to national security or public health
Citizens or those with close ties to Afghanistan, Belarus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Venezuela, and Yemen are ineligible

Route to Citizenship

The MPRP grants permanent residency for life, with the residence card renewable every five years. There is no minimum stay requirement to maintain permanent resident status, though holders must retain the qualifying property and asset levels for the first five years.

Permanent residents who establish physical residence in Malta may apply for citizenship by naturalization after accumulating four cumulative years of residence within the six years preceding a final year of continuous uninterrupted residence in Malta, totaling a minimum qualifying period of five years.

Naturalization requires demonstrating adequate knowledge of Maltese or English, maintaining a clean criminal record, and having a permanent place of residence in Malta.

Malta permits dual nationality.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

MPRP permanent residents gain the right to live, settle, and remain in Malta indefinitely with no minimum stay obligation. The residence permit provides visa-free access to all 29 Schengen Area countries for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, with days spent in Malta not counting against this allowance. Travel policies and Schengen access are subject to change; applicants should verify at the time of application.

Taxation

Malta taxes income on a source and remittance basis. Income arising in Malta, or foreign income remitted to Malta, is subject to standard Maltese progressive income tax rates.

Foreign income that is neither sourced in Malta nor remitted there is not taxable in Malta.

MPRP holders who do not establish tax residency in Malta, by spending fewer than 183 days per year in the country, are generally not subject to Maltese tax on income kept abroad.

Malta has over 70 double taxation treaties. Applicants should seek independent tax advice to assess their specific position.

How to Apply

The MPRP is administered by the Residency Malta Agency, a Maltese government body, under Subsidiary Legislation 217.26 as amended by Legal Notice 310 of 2024 and Legal Notice 146 of 2025.

Applications may only be submitted through a licensed agent; the applicant’s personal presence in Malta is not required at the submission stage. The process typically runs as follows:

Step 1: Engage a Licensed Agent. The applicant appoints a licensed agent from the Residency Malta Agency’s official list, who prepares and submits the full application pack on the applicant’s behalf.
Step 2: Submit Application and Pay Initial Fee. The agent submits the application to the Residency Malta Agency. A non-refundable initial administrative fee of €10,000 is payable at this stage.
Step 3: Biometrics and Temporary Residence Permit. The applicant travels to Malta for a biometrics appointment. A one-year temporary residence permit is typically issued within six weeks of the appointment.
Step 4: Approvals Board Review. The Approvals Board evaluates the full application and communicates a decision within 6 to 12 months of submission, issuing either a Letter of Approval in Principle or a Letter of Rejection.
Step 5: Complete Investments. Upon approval, the applicant pays the remaining government contribution, secures the qualifying property, and makes the NGO donation.
Step 6: Permanent Residence Card Issued. The permanent residence card is issued and is renewable every five years.

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Malta Citizenship by Merit Framework Overview

Malta’s Citizenship by Merit framework allows granting of Maltese citizenship to foreign nationals whose contributions to Malta or to humanity are deemed of exceptional value.

It’s open to those with achievements in science, sports, arts, technology, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, as well as individuals whose skills or profile are considered of exceptional national interest to Malta.

While there is no explicit investment threshold, significant economic contributions, job creation, and philanthropic initiatives can qualify.

Citizenship is granted entirely at the Minister’s discretion following review by an independent Evaluation Board, with no right of appeal and no obligation to give reasons for refusal.

A minimum of 8 months of lawful residence in Malta is required. All applications must be submitted through a licensed agent authorized by the Community Malta Agency.

The applicant’s spouse or partner and unmarried financially dependent children up to 29 years of age may be included.

Eligibility Requirements

Applications must be submitted through a licensed agent authorized by the Community Malta Agency. Applicants must meet at least one of the following three qualifying grounds.

Exceptional Contributions to Malta or Humanity

Demonstrated through philanthropic, entrepreneurial, or economic initiatives that generate employment, create opportunities, or produce social impact of manifestly superior value. This includes contributions that advance Malta’s global standing, scientific knowledge, cultural heritage, or humanitarian outcomes.

Exceptional Services to Malta or Humanity

Demonstrated through major achievements or contributions of manifestly superior value in a specific field, where the service has already been rendered and is verifiable. Eligible fields include science and research, sports and athletics, arts and culture, entrepreneurship and philanthropy, technology and innovation, and other areas where expertise or influence adds demonstrable value to Malta or to humanity at large.

Exceptional National Interest

Demonstrated through possession of skills, qualities, talents, or expertise considered by the Minister to significantly advance or benefit Malta’s national priorities and long-term interests. Distinguished figures in sport, diplomacy, public policy, or globally recognized professionals whose profile aligns with Malta’s Vision 2050 strategic objectives may qualify under this ground.

General Conditions (All Grounds)

Minimum of eight months of lawful residence in Malta, demonstrated through a valid Maltese residence permit and evidence of physical presence
Demonstrated ties to Malta, which may be business, cultural, or philanthropic in nature
Adequate knowledge of either Maltese or English
Valid passport
Clean criminal record and good character
Proof of title to residential property in Malta
Endorsements from recognized Maltese competent bodies where applicable: Sport Malta for sports-related applications; Arts Council Malta or the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage for arts and culture; recognized tertiary institutions, the National Council for Further and Higher Education, or the Malta Council for Science and Technology for science and research
Submission of all required documentation including a detailed curriculum vitae, reference letters or endorsements attesting to the applicant’s accomplishments, and documentation of professional contributions and interest in Maltese citizenship
All applications must be lodged through a licensed agent authorized by the Community Malta Agency; direct applications are not accepted

Route to Citizenship

The Citizenship by Merit framework grants Maltese citizenship directly upon the Minister’s approval, with no further residency or waiting period required after the decision is made.

Malta permits dual nationality under Section 7 of the Maltese Citizenship Act. Applicants who are granted Maltese citizenship are not required to relinquish their prior citizenship under Maltese law, though they should confirm the dual nationality rules of their country of origin before proceeding.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

Maltese citizens can access approximately 188 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, ranking among the top passports globally, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, and all EU and Schengen member states. As an EU member state, Malta grants its citizens full freedom of movement across all 27 EU member states and the EEA countries of Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, as well as Switzerland, with the right to live, work, study, and establish a business anywhere in the European Union. Maltese citizens also benefit from EU consular protection in countries where Malta has no diplomatic representation.

Tax

Malta operates a remittance-based tax system for non-domiciled residents. Foreign-source income and capital gains not remitted to Malta are not subject to Maltese income tax for non-domiciled individuals. Income remitted to Malta is taxed at progressive rates up to 35%. There is no wealth tax, no inheritance tax between direct family members, and no exit tax. Malta has a broad network of double taxation agreements with over 70 countries. Obtaining Maltese citizenship does not in itself create tax residency; tax residency is determined by physical presence and domicile. Applicants should seek independent tax advice to assess their specific position, particularly regarding the recognition of Maltese tax residency in their current country of residence and any obligations in the country of origin.

How to Apply

The program is administered by the Community Malta Agency under Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188) and Legal Notice 159 of 2025. All applications must be submitted through a licensed agent authorized by the Community Malta Agency; the list of authorized agents is published on the Agency’s official website. The process typically runs as follows.

Step 1: Engage a licensed agent authorized by the Community Malta Agency; conduct an initial eligibility assessment to identify the applicable qualifying ground and assess the strength of the application.
Step 2: Establish lawful residence in Malta for a minimum of eight months; secure residential property in Malta through purchase or rental; obtain a valid Maltese residence permit.
Step 3: Compile all required documentation, including a detailed curriculum vitae, endorsement letters from recognized Maltese competent bodies where applicable, reference letters attesting to professional accomplishments, police conduct certificates from all countries of residence, proof of eight months of residence in Malta, proof of residential property title, and the formal declaration under Article 10(9); all documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations.
Step 4: Submit the complete application package through the licensed agent to the Community Malta Agency; the Agency conducts an initial assessment and due diligence checks before referring the application to the independent Evaluation Board.
Step 5: The Evaluation Board reviews the application and formulates a recommendation to the Minister responsible for citizenship; the Minister exercises absolute discretion in granting or refusing the application; no timeline is guaranteed and no reasons are required to be given for refusal.
Step 6: Upon ministerial approval, receive the Certificate of Naturalisation; apply for the Maltese passport and identity documents.