Updated on June 25, 2026
Malta residency permits and merit-based citizenship
Start your path to a Maltese status with the guidance of a licensed agent, trusted by 10,000+ clients
Maltese legislation provides several legal routes for foreign nationals to obtain residence permits, permanent residence, or citizenship by naturalisation based on merit. Each status is governed by its own legal framework, procedures, and administrative requirements.
Applicants are subject to Due Diligence and background verification conducted by the competent authorities.
Malta residency and citizenship programmes
Malta Permanent Residence
Permanent residence
€100,200+
Investments
6+ months
Time required
Malta Residence Permit
Residence Permit
€30,000+
Investments
3+ months
Time required
Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Nomad Residence Permit
€3,500+, monthly income
Investments
2+ months
Time required
Malta citizenship by merit
Citizenship by merit
Merit-based, no fixed amount
Investments
No fixed timeframe
Time required
Difference between Malta citizenship, permanent residence and a residence permit
The statuses provide different rights and obligations.
Malta citizenship grants the full legal status of a national of Malta. Citizens are expected to comply with the laws and regulations of Malta and the EU, including tax obligations if applicable.
Malta permanent residence is granted for life. Permanent residents must maintain or keep renting their property. Holders may reside in the country long-term and travel within the Schengen Area for short stays under the rules of the Schengen Area.
Permanent residents do not obtain Maltese nationality or the EU freedom of movement rights granted to citizens.
A residence permit provides the right to live in Malta for a defined purpose and period.
Permits must be renewed and depend on maintaining the underlying basis for residence:
- Malta Global Residence Programme requires paying an annual tax of €15,000 and spending not more than 183 days per year in another country. The first permit is valid for 1 year and then renewed every 2 years.
- Malta Digital Nomad Visa requires a monthly income of €3,500 from sources outside of Malta and spending 5 months out of 12 in the country. The permit is granted for one year and can be extended thrice for the same duration. In total, a nomad is allowed to stay in Malta for up to 4 years.
Maltese residents can freely travel to 29 Schengen countries and stay there up to 90 days out of each 180 days.
All statuses allow the holders to visit Malta anytime, even if the country’s borders are closed.
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Benefits of Malta residency
1
Visa-free travel
Malta residents can travel across the Schengen Area without visas and stay for up to 90 days within any 180 days.
Malta residents can travel across the Schengen Area without visas and stay for up to 90 days within any 180 days.
2
Safe haven
Individuals with Maltese residence permits can enter the country at any time with their families. They can live in Malta for an unlimited amount of time.
In comparison, a Schengen visa allows the holder to spend only 90 days in 180 days in Malta.
Individuals with Maltese residence permits can enter the country at any time with their families. They can live in Malta for an unlimited amount of time.
In comparison, a Schengen visa allows the holder to spend only 90 days in 180 days in Malta.
3
Access to services of European banks
Malta investment visa provides access to the services of European or US banks. Investors open bank accounts abroad to keep savings in a hard currency, fasten payments with business partners worldwide, and decrease transaction costs.
Malta investment visa provides access to the services of European or US banks. Investors open bank accounts abroad to keep savings in a hard currency, fasten payments with business partners worldwide, and decrease transaction costs.
4
Living in a developed EU country
Many investors choose Malta for its high living standards. A residence permit allows living, studying, and doing business in Malta, but not working.
Many investors choose Malta for its high living standards. A residence permit allows living, studying, and doing business in Malta, but not working.
5
Quality education
Children of Maltese residency holders can enrol in local schools and universities under the same admission process as other residents, with tuition fee exemptions available in some cases.
Children of Maltese residency holders can enrol in local schools and universities under the same admission process as other residents, with tuition fee exemptions available in some cases.
6
Business development in Europe
An investor can register companies in Malta and other EU states. Many investors transfer their businesses to Malta using opportunities for beneficial taxation.
Registration of a business in the EU helps quickly forge partnerships in developed countries. Geopolitics has little effect on the business.
An investor can register companies in Malta and other EU states. Many investors transfer their businesses to Malta using opportunities for beneficial taxation.
Registration of a business in the EU helps quickly forge partnerships in developed countries. Geopolitics has little effect on the business.
7
Income from investments in European real estate
Villas and apartments located in developed European countries bring up to 15% of rental income per year. However, many EU states, such as Austria, restrict property purchases to EU residents or citizens. Malta residency gives access to investing in liquid European real estate.
Villas and apartments located in developed European countries bring up to 15% of rental income per year. However, many EU states, such as Austria, restrict property purchases to EU residents or citizens. Malta residency gives access to investing in liquid European real estate.
Why you can rely on Immigrant Invest
Immigrant Invest has operated since 2006. During this time, we helped 10,000 investors and their family members get residence permits and permanent residence in Malta.
Investors apply for Malta residency only through a licenced agent; one cannot apply by themselves. Immigrant Invest has passed government Due Diligence and got a licence to prove it. Thus, we can act on the investor’s behalf during application procedures in Malta.
Our offices work in 11 countries. The lawyers assist investors at each step. Thanks to an individual approach to each investor’s task, we have the highest success rate in the industry: 99% of our clients’ applications get approved.
License № RES-IMIN
Financial requirements and time frame for obtaining Malta residency
The investor gets a residence permit or permanent residence under special government programmes. It is less expensive to obtain a temporary residence permit than a permanent one. However, a residence permit must be renewed yearly, while permanent residence is granted for life.
Learn more about each status
Malta permanent residence
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme has been operational since 2015. This program is suitable for investors seeking lifelong residency in Malta or wishing to relocate to the country. There is no requirement for permanent residency holders to live in Malta continuously.
To qualify for the Malta investor visa, the investor must undergo Due Diligence, make a non-refundable contribution, purchase or lease property, and confirm assets worth more than €500,000 for the first five years.
In addition to the investor, their spouse, children under 29, and parents and grandparents can also obtain Maltese permanent residency.
Difference in investment amounts when renting or buying a property:
- Rent: €99,000 as a contribution and €14,000+ as an annual rental price;
- Purchase: €99,000 as a contribution and €375,000+ as a property purchase price.
€169,000+
Investment
6+ months
Time required
Malta residence permit
The Malta Global Residence Programme was launched in 2013. The programme is suitable for investors who want to become Maltese tax residents. The change of tax residency is mandatory. In addition, the investor mustn’t spend more than 183 days a year in another country. However, there is no requirement to live in Malta all the time. The investor pays an annual tax of at least €15,000.
The investor passes Due Diligence, makes a non-refundable contribution, and buys or rents a property.
A spouse, children under 25, siblings, parents and grandparents can become Maltese residents with the investor.
Difference in investment amounts when renting or buying a property:
- Rent: €6,000 as a contribution and €8,750+ as an annual rental price;
- Purchase: €5,500+ as a contribution and €220,000+ as a property purchase price.
€30,000+
Investment
3+ months
Time required
Malta Digital Nomad Visa
The Malta Nomad Residence Permit was introduced in 2021. The programme is suitable for freelancers, self-employed, and remote workers with an annual income of at least €42,000 outside Malta. Applicants cannot work for Maltese companies.
The Malta Digital Nomad Visa is valid for 12 months. The status can be renewed 3 times for the same period. Digital nomads must buy or rent housing for the entire permit validity period. There is no requirement for the minimum cost of the property.
A spouse, children under 18, and financially dependent children over 18 can get a Malta Nomad Residence with the main applicant.
Requirements:
- €42,000+ in annual income;
- rented or owned housing.
€42,000+
Annual income
2+ months
Time required
Malta citizenship
Maltese legislation provides for the possibility of naturalisation in cases of exceptional merit. Citizenship may be granted to individuals whose achievements or activities are considered to bring a significant benefit to Malta or to humanity more broadly.
Applicants submit a letter of proposal where they outline the exceptional service already delivered or planned. They are also expected to demonstrate lawful residence in the country and evidence of integration with Malta.
Assessment is discretionary, and each request is considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Maltese legislation. The request assessment includes a comprehensive background verification.
Merit-based
By naturalisation
Integration
Required
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Blog
We share expert commentaries in the blog: learn more about news and changes in residence permit by investment programs, the nuances of starting a business, how to choose a university, and life in Malta.
Permanent Residency
Malta long- and short-stay visas and residence permits: all you need to know
Foreigners visiting Malta may need a visa to stay, either short-term or long-term. Short-term visas allow stays of up to 90 days, while long-term visas let you stay for an extended period. Whether a visa is needed depends on the visitor’s citizenship and the purpose of travel. This article will help you determine which visa best suits your needs and explain how to obtain it.
Frequently asked questions
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