Foreigners obtain a residence permit to move to Malta for employment, business, or family reunification. Freelancers and remote workers can apply for a Digital Nomad Visa. As for investors, they can also get a Malta residence permit or permanent residency.
A Malta residence permit allows one to live in the country, travel to other Schengen Area states, and get access to healthcare and educational systems.
Let’s explore the main paths to Malta residence for third-country nationals — citizens of states outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
Temporary residence permits are documents issued by Malta that allow foreign nationals to live there for a defined period. These permits are typically granted for specific purposes, such as work, study, business, or family reunification. They come with conditions, such as maintaining employment or studies.
Temporary residence is often seen as a stepping stone for individuals who plan short-term stays or aim to transition to permanent residence.
The status of a Malta temporary residence permit can be obtained by investment under the Malta Global Residence Programme.
Permanent residence permits are indefinite authorisations for foreign nationals to live in Malta without the need for frequent renewals. They are granted to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as a prolonged stay under temporary permits.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is a path to permanent residence for people who invest in the country’s economy.
Permanent residence offers stability, full work rights, access to social benefits, and in many cases, a pathway to citizenship.
| Aspect | Temporary residence | Permanent residence |
| Validity period and renewal | Typically, 1–5 years, renewable | Lifelong, with |
| Acquisition period | 3+ months — by Several months — under other grounds | 6+ months — by 5+ years — by |
| Eligibility |
|
|
| Path to citizenship | Rarely counts towards citizenship requirements | Commonly leads to eligibility for |
| Employment rights | Often tied to specific permits, such as a work permit | Full employment rights without restrictions |
| Residency obligations | Must maintain conditions tied to a permit | Must live in Malta if plans to obtain citizenship |
| Overall stability | Temporary and less secure | Stable and long-term |
All benefits are applicable to both temporary and permanent residence; however, there are slight differences.
Maltese temporary and permanent residents can travel visa-free to Schengen states and stay there for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This makes it easier to attend business meetings, study programmes, or leisure trips across Europe without applying for short-term visas.
Residents in Malta can work or start a business if their residence permit type allows it. Generally, a work permit is required to secure employment in the country. However, investors with either temporary or permanent residence status can work or establish a company without needing additional permits.
Permanent residents who earned their status through long-term residence in Malta can work without any restrictions.
Residents in Malta benefit from high-quality healthcare that meets EU standards. Treatment is available in public and private clinics, with modern facilities and English-speaking doctors.
Residents covered by social security legislation are eligible for treatment in public clinics in Malta and across the European Union. To access medical services in the EU, they need a European Health Insurance Card.
Residence permit holders can enrol in Maltese universities. Study programs are primarily offered in English.
Residents are eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalisation after living in the country for at least five years: 12 months immediately before the date of application and for an additional four years out of the last six years.
There is an exception: the Digital Nomad Visa does not lead to citizenship. Foreigners can hold it for up to four years and then must leave Malta.
Malta is a safe country with a warm climate, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.
Residents can enter the country under any conditions as long as their permit is valid. To maintain their status, foreigners with a temporary permit cannot leave Malta for long and must reside in the country. In contrast, permanent residents do not face this restriction and can live elsewhere.
Continuous residency requirements also do not apply to investors.
The Malta Global Residence Programme is intended for individuals from non-EU countries. Investors over 18, with legal income, a conversational level of English or Maltese, and no criminal record or prosecution may apply for Malta residency.
An investor may include a spouse, children under 25, siblings, parents, and grandparents in their application. Household helpers who have worked for the investor’s family for at least two years may also apply for a residence permit.
Investors pay an annual tax of €15,000 for the entire family and rent or buy residential real estate. Property costs depend on its location. Additionally, applicants must pay an administrative fee, purchase health insurance, and cover legal service fees.
Investors benefit from a special tax regime. They pay:
A tax rate of 35% applies to income earned in Malta.
| Costs | Purchase of real estate | Rent of real estate |
| Residential real estate | €220,000+, if a property is in the south of Malta and the island of Gozo €275,000+, if the property is situated in other areas | €8,750+ a year, if real estate is in the south of Malta and the island of Gozo €9,600+ a year, if real estate is situated in other areas |
| Administrative fee | €5,500 to €6,000, depending on the | €5,500 to €6,000, depending on the |
| Annual tax | €15,000+ | €15,000+ |
| Taxes when purchasing real estate | 5% — stamp duty 1.5% — legal fees | Not applicable |
| Translation and apostille of documents, notary fees | €4,000+ | €4,000+ |
| Medical insurance | €400+ for a person | €400+ for a person |
| Total | €259,200+ | €33,650+ |
The validity period of the initial Malta residence permit is one year. After that, it is extended for two years and may be renewed an unlimited number of times.
To renew the residence permit, an applicant must submit a tax return before June 30th. After that, the applicant will receive confirmation of their special tax status extension and can apply for the renewal of their residence permit card.
Investors and their family members are not obliged to live in Malta to maintain their residency status. However, they should not spend more than 183 days a year in any other country.
Investors must always have housing, either rented or owned.
The Malta Nomad Residence Permit is available to freelancers and remote employees from non-EU countries. They must work for a foreign company, run a business abroad, or offer freelance services to clients outside Malta.
Applicants for a Nomad Residence Permit in Malta should:
Along with the main applicant, a Malta temporary residence permit is available for their close relatives:
Nomads must spend at least 5 months per year in Malta. They do not pay taxes on foreign income if their employment is already taxed at the origin.
The application fee is €300 for each family member. A residence card costs €100 per person.
The validity period of a Malta residence permit for nomads is one year, and then it may be renewed. The maximum period of residence with this type of permit is four years. Nomads are not eligible for permanent residence or citizenship in Malta and must leave the country once their permit expires.
The application processing time is up to 30 days, so nomads should apply for renewal no later than a month before the permit expires.
Foreign employees and self-employed individuals may obtain a visa or a residence permit in Malta. The most common types of documents are the Single Permit and the Blue Card.
The Single Permit allows you to reside and work in the country legally. To apply, you need a job offer from an employer in Malta.
The validity period of a Single Permit is one year, and it can be renewed. The processing time is 90 days, and a renewal application may be submitted if the Malta residence permit card is still valid.
There is a fast-track procedure for highly specialised professionals — the Key Employee Initiative (KEI). Normally, the processing time is five working days. To apply for KEI, you need:
The EU Blue Card is a temporary residence permit for highly qualified professionals. An applicant must:
The Blue Card is valid for a year and may be renewed. If the remaining work period under your contract is less than a year, the permit will be prolonged for that time plus three months.
Students may obtain a Malta residence permit if they are enrolled in a full-time course leading to higher education qualifications. One can apply if they have the endorsement of a university.
A student residence permit in Malta is valid for a year or the duration of the studies. The application should be submitted in advance, as it may take up to 90 days to process.
Researchers may apply for a Malta residence permit if a Maltese research institution selects them to conduct research. A doctoral degree or an appropriate higher education qualification is required.
The resident permit for a researcher is valid for a year or the duration of the hosting agreement. To renew the permit, one should apply no later than 30 days before the authorisation expires.
If you have lived in Malta legally for two or more years and hold a residence permit valid for at least one year, you may apply for residency for your family members:
A sponsor should provide proof of having a stable income and health insurance for each family member.
A third-country citizen in a relationship with a Maltese national may get a residence permit if they provide evidence of a steady relationship. This might include flight tickets, photographs, utility bills, and affidavits from family members confirming the long-term relationship.
Each residence permit will be valid for six months during the first two years. It does not allow the holder to work in Malta. If they wish to work, they must apply for a Single Permit.
A foreign spouse of a Maltese citizen and their children under 21 may apply for exempt person status in Malta. They will receive a residence sticker issued by the Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs Department, confirming their status as family members of a Maltese citizen.
This residence permit allows them to live in Malta and travel to the Schengen Area visa-free. No fees are charged.
A Maltese citizen’s spouse may apply for the country’s citizenship after five years of marriage. Widows and widowers may also get Malta citizenship if five years have elapsed from the date of their marriage.
A temporary residence permit in Malta may be obtained for some reasons other than employment, investment, or marriage. One may apply for a residency card if they:
A Malta residence permit may be issued for some other purposes. If a foreigner has a significant reason to move to Malta that is not listed in legislation or official sites, then they may apply for residency. Such requests are assessed individually on a case-by-case basis.
All foreigners applying for a Malta temporary residence permit must provide the following:
Documents for temporary residence depend on the reason for obtaining the residence permit.
| Grounds | Required |
| Investors | Police conduct |
| Digital Nomads | CV, bank statement, proof of being employed, self-employed, or a |
| Job contract, proof of | |
| Family | Proof of ties with the |
| Studies and researches | Letter of |
| A hosting agreement with an accredited research |
Malta permanent residence is granted either through continuous residence in the country for at least five years or by investment.
The status is indefinite and does not require an extension. However, the Malta residence permit card is issued for five years and must be renewed.
Malta PR is available for foreigners who have lived in the country legally for a minimum of five years. There are specific requirements:
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme allows non-EU investors to obtain lifelong permanent residence. Applicants get the status in 6 months or more. They do not need to live in Malta and take integration courses before submission of their applications.
To apply for Malta permanent residence, investors should be over 18 years old, have no criminal record or visa denials, not be under sanctions, prove the legality of their income, and purchase health insurance.
They may include in the application:
Adult children, parents, and grandparents should be principally dependent on the investor or the spouse.
There are several investment conditions to fulfil to get a Malta permanent residence permit:
How to benefit from the special tax regime and visa-free access to Schengen with a Malta residence permit
People obtaining permanent residence by investment must provide the following documents:
Applicants might be requested to provide additional documents.
All the papers issued not in English must be translated and notarised.
According to the experience of Immigrant Invest lawyers, the process of acquiring Malta PR by investment takes at least 6 months. Our experts assist the investor at each stage of the application process.
To participate in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, applicants must approach a licensed agent. The agent conducts a preliminary check to ensure the investor is eligible for Malta permanent residency.
At Immigrant Invest, applicants’ documents are reviewed by certified Anti Money Laundering Officers. The results of this check help us gather a full package of documents for each case and improve the chances of approval. The check typically takes one working day.
Before submitting the full MPRP application, the main applicant and their dependants may get a 1-year temporary residence permit. This gives them access to residency benefits while the permanent application is being processed.
Applicants must travel to Malta to submit biometrics. The first part of the administrative fee of €15,000 and a government fee of €500 per residence card are paid.
Once submitted, the temporary residence application is processed within 4 weeks. The cards must be collected in person from the Residency Malta office, either in person or by our dedicated lawyer.
The full permanent residency application must be submitted within 6 months of receiving the temporary permit. If the MPRP application is refused, the temporary residence permit will be revoked within 15 days.
Immigrant Invest lawyers compile a list of required documents and help the investor prepare them. The lawyers compile the investor’s welfare history, translate documents into English, certify copies with a notary, and accurately complete application forms.
Once the documents are prepared, the lawyers submit the application to the Residency Malta Agency.
Maltese authorities conduct a comprehensive Due Diligence check on the applicant’s financial and personal background. Upon successful completion, the applicant is eligible for permanent residency, subject to investment requirements.
The remaining €45,000 of the administrative fee must be paid within two months of approval. Renting or buying property and paying the government contribution may take up to eight months.
Once the conditions are fulfilled, Immigrant Invest lawyers submit the supporting documents to the Residency Malta Agency.
The Residency Malta Agency reviews all additional documents and issues residence certificates, provided all paperwork is accepted. The Agency also issues a Letter of Final Approval with an invitation for the main applicant and their family members to submit biometrics in Malta.
Investors and their family members travel to Malta to provide biometrics and photos. Infants up to 2 years old are exempt from submitting fingerprints.
Investors receive their permanent residence permit cards by courier.
For the first five years, residents must annually confirm they continue meeting all the requirements by submitting documents for verification to the Residency Malta Agency.
There is no investment-based path to Malta citizenship. Maltese nationality legislation provides for the possibility of naturalisation in cases of exceptional merit.
The statutory framework recognises exceptional contributions across various areas, such as entrepreneurship, job creation, innovation, science, education, culture, or philanthropy.
A person can apply for Malta citizenship by naturalisation after holding permanent residence for five years, provided they meet the following criteria:
Investors can apply for citizenship in 1 or 3 years, through citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.
The requirements for a passport for exceptional services include:
All applications for Malta citizenship are filed to the Community Malta Agency. Investors obtaining citizenship for exceptional services must seek help from a certified agent. In other cases, the applicant must make an appointment at the Agency’s office and submit documents on their own.
You need to obtain a residence permit to move to Malta. Temporary residence permits are mostly granted to employees, students, family members of Maltese nationals, digital nomads, and investors. The latter can obtain a permanent residence permit right away.
Foreign employees, freelancers, students, spouses of Maltese residents, and investors may apply for a Malta residence permit. To do so, they need to choose the right type of permit, collect all the necessary documents and submit an application to the Identity Malta Agency or the Residency Malta Agency.
Malta Global Residence Programme is one of the most convenient paths to residency. It doesn’t require living in Malta for the most part of the year or looking for a job to move to the country.
A Digital Nomad Visa is an ideal path for remote workers, self-employed individuals, and freelancers. To qualify, applicants must earn €3,500+ per month outside Malta.
Foreigners must have a significant reason for moving to Malta, such as a job offer or an endorsement from a university.
The procedure is not very complicated: applicants have to collect and submit all the required documents and get their residence permits after they are approved. The application processing time is usually up to 90 days.
For a Malta permanent residence or residence permit by investment, foreigners need to undergo Due Diligence, fulfil investment requirements, and submit biometrics. This process typically takes at least 6 months.
Once the residence permit is approved, applicants may move to Malta.
The expenses depend on the type of residence permit you choose. For example, getting a Malta residence permit under the Global Residence Programme requires spending €35,000+ in total on housing, taxes and an administrative fee.
Yes, you may apply for Malta permanent residency after five years of legally living in the country. You’ll need to prove a stable income, knowledge of the Maltese or English and take an integration course.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme is another path to a permanent residence permit. An investor rents or buys real estate and pays an administrative fee, a government contribution, and a charitable donation. Their spouse, children, parents, and grandparents may also apply.
Malta permanent residency is a lifelong status. However, the ID cards should be renewed every five years.
Wealthy foreigners may apply for Malta permanent residency by investment if they meet the requirements:
Spouses, children, parents, and grandparents may also be included in the application.
To get a permanent residence permit, an investor rents or buys real estate and pays an administrative fee, a government contribution, and a charitable donation. Applicants undergo a strict Due Diligence check.
To be eligible for the TRC in Malta, investors must meet the following requirements:
All these requirements are mandatory, but the investor can choose whether to lease or purchase a property. The cost of real estate varied based on location:
