Moving to Malta with the Permanent Residence Programme: a lifetime gateway to a Mediterranean life

Malta Permanent Residence Programme, or MPRP, is a government initiative that allows non-EU and non-EEA nationals to obtain permanent resident status by investing in the country’s economy. The whole process takes 6 or more months.

Launched in 2016, the MPRP is regulated by the Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, L.N. 121 of 2021^{[1]Source: Residency Malta Agency: Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, 2021}.

Under the MPRP, applicants must fulfil several mandatory requirements:

• buy a property for at least €375,000 or rent one for five years for at least €14,000 per annum, or €1,200 per month;
• pay an administration fee of €60,000 and a contribution fee of €37,000;
• donate €2,000 to a charity;
• prove the availability of assets of at least €500,000, with €150,000 of them being liquid; or a minimum of €650,000 in total assets, including €75,000 in liquid financial assets.

Investors participating in the MPRP obtain lifelong permanent residency and enjoy all the rights of Maltese residents. They only need to renew their residency card every five years.

Many expats pursue permanent residence in Malta because it combines practical mobility with long-term security. The status allows them to travel freely within Europe, settle in a stable country, and access opportunities for business, healthcare, and education.

1. Visa-free travel within Europe

Maltese residents can enter 29 Schengen Area states without a visa. They can stay in all these countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This makes it easy to travel for business, leisure, or visiting family without dealing with lengthy visa procedures.

2. Opportunity to relocate to Malta

Permanent residents can move to Malta anytime, even if borders are closed to foreigners. This is especially beneficial during periods of instability in their other country of residence.

Malta offers a pleasant Mediterranean climate, a high standard of living, and a safe, family-friendly environment. One of the country’s official languages is English, easing interactions with locals and government institutions.

3. Business opportunities

Permanent residents can open companies and run businesses in Malta. Malta provides a stable political environment, a growing economy, and access to the EU single market. 

Companies in Malta are taxed at 35%. However, as a benefit, shareholders can receive a refund of part or all of the tax paid when dividends are distributed, reducing their corporate tax rate to 0%^{[2]Source: Malta Tax & Customs Administration: Corporate Taxation}. This imputation system eliminates double taxation, ensuring that company profits are taxed only at the corporate level.

4. Access to education and healthcare

Residents have access to quality education, including English-speaking schools and universities in Malta and other European countries. 

Maltese residents also benefit from medical treatment in both Malta and other parts of the EU. They are also eligible for the European Health Insurance Card, which provides access to healthcare services across the EU under the same conditions as locals, including emergency care, routine medical treatment, and hospital services.

5. Fast and simple process

It takes approximately 6 months to get approval after you apply for permanent residency in Malta by investment. In comparison, when choosing other routes, permanent residency is granted only after 6 years, including 5 years of residency and one year for the application process.

Applicants for permanent residence by investment also do not need to pass any language tests to be eligible.

Immediate family members, including spouses, children, and dependent parents or grandparents, can be included in the application and enjoy the same residency rights.

6. Status for life

Malta permanent residence is granted for life. Unlike temporary residence permits, investors do not need to regularly reapply or prove again that they still meet the original programme requirements. They only need to renew their residence card every 5 years, which is a simple administrative procedure.

By comparison, many other countries with residence by investment programmes grant temporary residence permits valid for 2 to 5 years.

7. Return of part of the investment

If the investor chooses to buy property, they must keep it for at least 5 years to comply with the Malta permanent residence requirements. After that, they may sell the property and potentially recover a substantial part of the purchase price.

Property buyers may also rent out their Maltese real estate temporarily when they are not staying in the country. Investors who choose the rental option may sublet the property after the first 5 years, provided they have the landlord’s consent.

Obtaining permanent residence in Malta through investment involves meeting strict eligibility rules and presenting comprehensive documentation. The process is designed to ensure that applicants are financially stable, law-abiding, and adequately insured, while also allowing families to apply together under a single application.

Eligibility criteria for applicants

To apply for permanent residency under the MPRP, the investor must meet the following criteria:

• be over 18;
• be a citizen of a country outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland;
• demonstrate the legality of income and sufficient financial resources to sustain themselves and their dependants;
• have a clean criminal record;
• not be under sanctions;
• have no visa denials in countries that have visa-free travel with Malta
• buy health insurance for all applicants.

Inclusion of family members

Investors can include their family members in the application, including a spouse, children under 29, parents, and grandparents.

The spouse must be in an officially registered marriage or civil partnership with the investor. Children aged 18 to 29 must be unmarried and principally dependent on the investor or spouse. Parents and grandparents must also be principally dependent.

Documents

The applicant must provide the following papers:

• valid international passports — for all applicants;
• valid internal passports or ID cards — for all applicants;
• birth certificates — for all applicants;
• marriage certificate;
• education records, such as certificates and diplomas — for the main applicant and their spouse;
• confirmation of residence address, such as a utility bill — for the main applicant;
• police conduct certificates — for all applicants over 14;
• bank statement and bank reference letter — for the main applicant;
• evidence of the availability of assets and a list of them — for the main applicant;
• welfare history — for the main applicant;
• health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 per person — for all applicants.

The Maltese authorities might request additional documentation depending on the investor’s situation and background.

All papers not in English must be translated in Malta by an accredited translator and certified.

To obtain permanent residency in Malta, a foreigner must fulfil three investment requirements: buy or rent real estate, pay a state fee, and donate to a charitable organisation.

Real estate investment

If the applicant chooses the rent option, the minimum rental price is €14,000 per year, or approximately €1,200 per month. After 5 years of residence, investors must continue renting to maintain a residential address, but they are free to lease a different property.

In the case of real estate purchase, the minimum property price is €375,000. Buyers should also account for purchase-related fees, including stamp duty and legal fees, which amount to about 7% of the property value.

Real estate must be held for at least 5 years.

Additional expenses

State fees include an administration fee of €60,000 and a contribution fee of €37,000.

A donation of €2,000 must be made to a locally registered charitable, cultural, sports, scientific, or artistic non-governmental organisation or society registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.

The investor must purchase health insurance for themselves and all family members included in the application. The average cost of health insurance is €500 per person.

There are also legal fees, including translation, notarisation, and apostilling of documents, amounting to €4,000 or more.

When adding family members, investors are required to pay an additional €7,500 as an administration fee per family member over 18, except for the spouse.

Availability of assets

The investor demonstrates a capital of at least:

• €500,000, where at least €150,000 are liquid financial assets, such as money on bank accounts, deposits, securities;
• or €650,000, where at least €75,000 are liquid financial assets.

Below is a breakdown of the minimum expenses required to obtain Malta permanent residency by investment, depending on whether the investor chooses to rent or purchase a property.

To keep permanent resident status, the investor must comply with the programme requirements for the first 5 years. This includes confirming ownership or rental of qualifying residential property in Malta and retaining assets of at least €500,000 — or €650,000 if less than €150,000 of them is in liquid assets. Residency Malta Agency conducts annual checks to ensure that the investor remains compliant.

The status of a permanent resident is granted for life, but residency cards must be renewed every 5 years. Applicants must prove they have:

• residential address in Malta;
• lease or sale agreement in the main applicant’s name;
• insurance for the main applicant;
• stable income or sufficient funds to support themselves and their family financially.

After 5 years of permanent residence, investors are no longer required to live in the same property. They can buy or rent any property on the market, regardless of location or value.

Foreigners who do not invest in the Maltese economy can obtain permanent residence only after holding a temporary residence permit. The latter is granted under various grounds, such as:

• employment;
• family reunification;
• conducting scientific research.

However, not all types of residence count towards the 5-year requirement for long-term residence. For example, time spent in Malta under a student or vocational training permit is not counted.

A temporary residence permit holder becomes eligible for permanent residency after living in Malta for 5 years. Maltese authorities issue a decision within a period not exceeding 6 months.

Applicants confirm that they have been residing in Malta for at least 5 years and indicate the places of accommodation during that period. Aside from that, applicants must provide:

• sickness insurance;
• covering letter explaining their background in Malta, including when and why they settled in the country;
• proof of completed integration measures, including the I Belong course and a Maltese language test^{[3]Source: Identità Expatriates Unit: Long-term residents residence application form}.

Malta long-term residence requirements also include proof of stable yearly income. In 2026, the applicant must earn at least €11,930.88 a year, which corresponds to Malta’s national minimum wage for workers aged 18 and over^{[4]Source: Department for Industrial and Employment Relations, Malta: National Minimum Wage}. An additional 20% of this amount is required for each family member included in the application.

Malta does not grant citizenship in exchange for investment. Foreigners can obtain the country’s passport by naturalisation or by merit.

By naturalisation

Foreigners can obtain a Malta passport by naturalisation after 5 years of holding permanent residence status.

To be eligible for citizenship, they must meet the following requirements:

• live in Malta for 4 years out of the previous 6 years;
• live in Malta for 12 consecutive months right before the date of application;
• have adequate knowledge of Maltese or English;
• be of good character and be considered suitable citizens of Malta.

In addition, applicants need 2 sponsors who are not relatives. The first sponsor must be a professional, such as an advocate, notary public, medical practitioner, senior public officer, police inspector, or another eligible person. The second sponsor may be any Maltese citizen over 18 who did not acquire citizenship by naturalisation^{[5]Source: Community Malta Agency: Acquisition of Citizenship}.

The final decision is made at the discretion of the Minister responsible for citizenship matters.

By merit

Malta citizenship by merit is granted to foreigners who have made or can make an exceptional contribution to Malta or humanity. Contributions may relate to entrepreneurship, job creation, innovation, scientific research, education, healthcare, culture, sport, philanthropy, social impact, national security, or strategic initiatives aligned with Malta’s interests.

Citizenship by merit is not an investment programme and has no fixed investment threshold. Each application is assessed individually by Community Malta Agency.

Applicants are generally expected to meet the following criteria:

• be over 18;
• have a clean criminal record;
• not be under sanctions;
• have legal income and be financially self-sufficient;
• own or rent residential property in Malta. 

They must also demonstrate a genuine connection with Malta, including legal residence in the country, basic knowledge of English or Maltese, and meaningful ties to Malta.

A spouse or partner, minor children, and financially dependent adult children or parents may be included in the request if they meet the eligibility and integration conditions.

Malta allows dual citizenship, so investors can keep their original passports when obtaining Maltese nationality.

The country also recognises dual and multiple citizenship acquired by birth, descent, marriage, or ordinary naturalisation. Applicants do not need to renounce their first nationality unless required by the laws of their home country.

Malta permanent residency comes with a wide range of entitlements that extend beyond the right to live in the country. Holders enjoy life-long status, favourable tax treatment, family reunification options, and access to social and cultural benefits.

Life-long status and inheritance rights

Once granted, permanent residency does not expire as long as the conditions are maintained. It is only required to renew the residency card every 5 years.

Under the Malta Permanent Residency Programme, residency can be inherited under certain conditions, such as in the event of a beneficiary’s death. In these exceptional circumstances, the Agency has the discretion to transfer the residency certificate to an approved dependent, subject to specific conditions that the Agency may impose at its discretion.

Tax residency status

While Malta Permanent Residency grants the right to live in Malta, it does not automatically confer tax residency. To qualify as a tax resident, one must spend at least 183 days per year in Malta.

If a permanent resident becomes a Maltese tax resident but remains non-domiciled in Malta, they may be taxed on a remittance basis. This means that foreign-source income is taxed in Malta only if it is received in, or transferred to, the country. The tax is usually charged at Malta’s standard progressive rates, ranging from 0 to 35%^{[6]Source: Malta Tax & Customs Administration: Personal Income Tax Rates}.

By comparison, Spain taxes its residents on worldwide income at progressive rates of 19 to 47%, while Italy applies rates of 23 to 43%.

Malta also imposes no taxes on foreign assets, inheritance, wealth, capital gains, and property for both residents and citizens.

Family reunification

Residents can apply for family reunification to include their spouse, minor children, and other dependents under certain conditions. For the application to be successful, the resident must hold a residence permit with a validity of at least one year, have prospects of permanent residency, and comply with family reunification regulations^{[7]Source: Identità: Guidelines for Residence Permit Holders}.

Investors who participated in the MPRP can add the following dependents at the post-approval stage:

• spouses;
• minor children;
• unmarried children aged 18 to 29;
• parents;
• grandparents.

Opening personal and business accounts

Permanent residents can open both personal and corporate bank accounts in Malta-based banks and European financial institutions. There are no restrictions based on nationality once residency is granted.

Driving licence exchange

EU nationals can drive in Malta with a licence from their home country, as long as it is valid there.

Non-EU citizens can drive in Malta with a foreign licence for the first 12 months. After that, they must exchange it for a Maltese licence. To do so, they need to pass both the theory and practical tests but are not required to attend a Maltese driving school. Citizens of Switzerland, Australia, the UAE, and the UK do not need to take the test^{[8]Source: Authority for Transport in Malta: Exchange of a Foreign Driving Licence}.

Social privileges

Malta permanent residents have access to a range of discounts, starting with the Tallinja Card, which offers discounted bus fares across Malta and Gozo. The annual Tallinja card costs €150 for adults and €84 for students, as opposed to the regular price of €180.

Residents can also access financial support for cultural projects, including those organised by the Malta Arts Council. This includes projects in music, literature, visual arts, performing arts, and cultural heritage. Importantly, foreign nationals who do not hold Malta residency are not eligible for this funding.

Immigrant Invest is a consulting firm assisting investors and their families with citizenship and residence programmes since 2006. The company has worked with more than 10,000 clients worldwide and states a 99% success rate. We have an office in St Julian’s in Malta.

We are a licensed agent. We are authorised to advise on and file applications for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. Licence confirms that our procedures, document handling, and client communications meet statutory requirements.

Refusal risk is 1%. Before filing an application, Immigrant Invest conducts an internal compliance pre-check. An AML Compliance Officer reviews potential risks, including the applicant’s background and source of wealth, and prepares an individual document checklist. This helps identify possible issues before documents are submitted to the authorities.

Support throughout the entire process. After the initial consultation, we prepare documents to file the application and respond to requests from government authorities. We also assist with document renewals, property, banking, and relocation matters.

1. Malta Permanent Residence Programme allows wealthy individuals to obtain permanent residency in exchange for investment. The minimum required sum is €100,200.
2. The applicant must fulfil three investment requirements: rent or buy real estate, pay state fees, and make a charitable donation.
3. The process of obtaining Maltese permanent residency takes at least 6 months.
4. Permanent residents can obtain Malta citizenship after living in the country for at least 5 years.
5. Benefits of Malta permanent residency include visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, the opportunity to relocate to Malta, and access to European education and healthcare.