Updated on March 30, 2026
Residency in Malta for tax optimisation and travelling to the Schengen Area without visas
€30,000+
Investment amount
3+ months
Residency obtaining period
90 days in 180
Visa-free travelling in the Schengen Area
The Malta Global Residence Programme, launched in 2013, is aimed at non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals who want to become tax residents of Malta. The programme offers a flat 15% income tax rate under a special tax regime, helping individuals reduce their overall tax burden.
To qualify, applicants must buy or rent property in Malta, pay a government fee, and commit to a minimum annual tax of €15,000. There’s no need to live in Malta full-time, but you must not spend more than 183 days per year in another country.
The programme allows you to include close family members — spouse, children, siblings, parents, and grandparents. Household staff can also be included, but their income is taxed at standard rates.
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A Malta residence permit gives you the right to live in Malta and enter the country at any time while your permit is valid.
Relocating to Malta is optional for investors, not mandatory. Instead, you can establish a “Plan B” home in Europe by renting or buying property and opening a local bank account.
A Malta residence permit gives you the right to live in Malta and enter the country at any time while your permit is valid.
Relocating to Malta is optional for investors, not mandatory. Instead, you can establish a “Plan B” home in Europe by renting or buying property and opening a local bank account.
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With Malta residency, you can travel freely across the Schengen Area — up to 90 days within any 180-day period — without needing a separate visa.
With Malta residency, you can travel freely across the Schengen Area — up to 90 days within any 180-day period — without needing a separate visa.
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Foreign income brought into Malta is taxed at a flat rate of 15%, while foreign income kept abroad is not taxed at all.
Foreign income brought into Malta is taxed at a flat rate of 15%, while foreign income kept abroad is not taxed at all.
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Compared to other European countries where investment residence permits start at €250,000, Malta’s programme is relatively affordable. The total cost starts at around €30,000, covering rent, government fees, and taxes.
Compared to other European countries where investment residence permits start at €250,000, Malta’s programme is relatively affordable. The total cost starts at around €30,000, covering rent, government fees, and taxes.
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You can include your spouse, children under the age of 25, and dependent parents and grandparents from both sides of the family.
You can include your spouse, children under the age of 25, and dependent parents and grandparents from both sides of the family.
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Malta residents can work or start a business in the country. Malta’s tax system is widely regarded as business-friendly, offering potential advantages for entrepreneurs and shareholders.
Although the standard corporate tax rate is 35%, most companies qualify for refunds or deductions, which can reduce the effective rate to between 0% and 10%.
Malta residents can work or start a business in the country. Malta’s tax system is widely regarded as business-friendly, offering potential advantages for entrepreneurs and shareholders.
Although the standard corporate tax rate is 35%, most companies qualify for refunds or deductions, which can reduce the effective rate to between 0% and 10%.
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You’re not required to live in Malta permanently to keep your residency. Yet, you must have a property available for your personal use year-round. Also, you shouldn’t spend more than 183 days a year in any other single country.
You’re not required to live in Malta permanently to keep your residency. Yet, you must have a property available for your personal use year-round. Also, you shouldn’t spend more than 183 days a year in any other single country.
Step-by-step procedure
Requirements for applicants
Required documents
Answers to frequently asked questions
Trusted by 10,000+ investorsTo obtain a Malta residence permit, an investor must buy or rent a residential property in Malta and pay an administrative fee and taxes. Additional costs include health insurance for each family member and legal service fees.
1st option
If you choose to rent property, the minimum cost to get a Maltese residence permit starts from €34,250. To keep the permit each year, you’ll need to spend at least €23,750 — this includes a minimum of €15,000 in income tax and €8,750 in annual rent.
2nd option
To obtain a residence permit, the investor must buy a property in Malta and keep it in their name. They can only rent it out or sell it if they either become a Maltese citizen or decide not to renew their residence permit.
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Trusted by 10,000+ investorsTaxes in Malta for participants of the Global Residence Programme are applied at the following rates:
Even if you transfer little foreign income into Malta, you must still pay a minimum of €15,000 in tax each year. This makes the regime most beneficial for those who plan to remit at least €100,000 annually, as otherwise the effective tax rate exceeds 15%.
The minimum €15,000 does not cover any Maltese-source income; that is always taxed at 35%.
You must also maintain your status as a Maltese tax resident. This does not require you to spend more than 183 days per year in Malta. However, you must not spend more than 183 days in any other single country within the same year. If you do, your tax residency may automatically shift to that country.
To qualify for the Malta GRP, applicants must buy or rent residential property in Malta to serve as their main home. The property must be suitable for the applicant and their family, and must remain in their control for as long as they hold the residence permit.
The required minimum value of the property depends on where it is located.
If purchasing:
If renting:
Participants are not allowed to sublet, rent out, or sell the qualifying property while under the programme. If they stop renting or sell the home without securing a new qualifying property, their GRP status may be revoked. These rules ensure the property is used as a genuine residence, not for investment or income purposes.
Getting a Maltese residence permit under the Global Residence Programme is a structured process that takes at least 3 months. It involves checks, paperwork, and property arrangements — but with expert support, it can be smooth and stress-free. Here’s how it works with the guidance of Immigrant Invest.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Before starting the formal process, our certified Anti-Money Laundering Officers carry out a confidential internal check. They review your documents and screen international databases to identify any potential risks.
If anything needs fixing, our legal team will advise you. This quick step helps avoid delays later on and minimises the risk of rejection to 1%.
3+ weeks
Preparing the application
Our lawyers give you a detailed list of required documents. Once received, we handle translations, notarisation, and fill in the official forms.
During this stage, you’ll also need to buy or rent qualifying real estate in Malta. We offer suitable options, check all property documents, and assist with the deal.
2—4 months
Official Due Diligence
After your documents are ready, we submit your application to Malta’s Inland Revenue Department, IRD. You don’t need to travel at this stage — everything is handled remotely.
The Maltese government conducts a background check. If they have questions, our lawyers respond on your behalf with the necessary paperwork.
1—2 months
Interview
Once you receive approval, you’ll have a brief remote interview with the Director of the Malta Revenue Department via videocall — no travel to Malta is required.
The interview is informal and lasts around 10 minutes. The Director will personally explain the terms of the programme, and you’ll be expected to briefly explain in English why you chose Malta and what draws you to the country.
Only the main applicant must attend, and an Immigrant Invest lawyer, as a representative of the licensed agent, will be present to support you. Family members are not required to join the interview.
Up to 12 months
Fulfilling the investment conditions
After the interview, the Director of the Malta Revenue Department issues a Letter of Intent, confirming your approval to participate in the Global Residence Programme.
You then have 12 months to complete the investment requirements, which include paying the €15,000 minimum tax and submitting a rental or purchase agreement for your property in Malta, if not already done.
Once these steps are completed, the authorities will issue a tax receipt and a letter confirming your special tax status, along with your Maltese Tax Identification Number, TIN. These documents are required to proceed with your residence permit application.
2+ weeks
Applying for a Maltese residence permit
We submit your application online. Required documents include:
After approval, Identita will invite you and your dependants to Malta for biometric data collection — fingerprints and photos.
6+ weeks
Receiving the residence permit card
Once biometric data is captured and all residence forms are submitted, the application is sent to the Department of Residence for printing, which takes 6 weeks.
When ready, a notification will be sent to your Maltese address, and you and your family must visit Identity Malta to collect your residence permits in person.
After 1 year, then every 2 years
Renewing your Malta residence permit
The first residence permit is valid for 1 year. To renew it, you must submit a tax return and pay your taxes in Malta by 30 April following the tax year.
Once your tax status is renewed, you can apply to Identity Malta for your new residence card, which will be valid for 2 years. Cards are typically ready within 2 weeks after fingerprinting.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for the Malta Global Residence Programme. We guide you through every stage of the process, from preliminary Due Diligence and document preparation to final approval and beyond. Backed by 20 years of experience, we provide reliable, personalised support to make the process smooth and successful.
With a 99% success rate, our in-house compliance team conducts detailed checks before any application begins, helping to avoid risks and rejections. If any issues arise, we suggest better alternatives to ensure the best outcome for you.
With offices in 9 countries, including Malta, our team of international lawyers and local professionals ensures your application is handled in line with local regulations and supported at every step — including in-person assistance during your visits to Malta.
We are a licensed agent in Malta
Proven approval record
Rigorous Due Diligence is the foundation of every successful application. Immigrant Invest’s Compliance Department conducts a preliminary assessment before submission, minimising risks and ensuring an approval rate of over 99%.
End-to-end legal support
We guide clients through every stage of the process — from defining objectives and initial consultations to Due Diligence, application filing, approval, and ongoing status maintenance.
Licensed and internationally recognised
Immigrant Invest is authorised by regulatory authorities in the EU and Caribbean jurisdictions to represent applicants in investment immigration programmes. Our licensed status reflects strict compliance with regulatory standards and professional requirements
Confidential
We protect your trust with strict confidentiality, securing your data and investment details under an NDA agreement.
Elena Ruda,
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
With over 20 years of experience and established partnerships in Malta, Immigrant Invest provides strategic legal guidance for individuals pursuing Maltese citizenship.
A multidisciplinary team of legal, compliance, and real estate professionals accompanies clients at every stage of the process — from preliminary Due Diligence and residency arrangements to the preparation of a substantiated proposal and navigation of the multi-layered evaluation and approval procedure.
Each phase is handled with precision, discretion, and strict adherence to Maltese legislation, ensuring a seamless, transparent, and professionally managed pathway to citizenship.
Schedule a meeting
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
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At Immigrant Invest, our support doesn’t end with your residence approval — we continue to assist you and your family with every step that follows.
1.
We handle all paperwork and guide you through the process of renewing your residence cards, so you never miss a deadline.
We handle all paperwork and guide you through the process of renewing your residence cards, so you never miss a deadline.
2.
If your residence card is lost or damaged, we take care of the entire process — from preparing documents to collecting your new card.
If your residence card is lost or damaged, we take care of the entire process — from preparing documents to collecting your new card.
3.
We help you choose a suitable property remotely. Our team checks the apartment, records a video tour, and supports you with the rental or purchase agreement.
We help you choose a suitable property remotely. Our team checks the apartment, records a video tour, and supports you with the rental or purchase agreement.
4.
We prepare all required documents and fill out the forms to make the process as simple as possible.
We prepare all required documents and fill out the forms to make the process as simple as possible.
5.
We assist with obtaining police clearance certificates, submitting the annual compliance form, and offer access to trusted tax advisers for expert financial guidance.
We assist with obtaining police clearance certificates, submitting the annual compliance form, and offer access to trusted tax advisers for expert financial guidance.
Clients’ names and photos have been changed to comply with a non-disclosure agreement.
Schedule a meeting
We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.
Head of the Austrian office
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98 m² — 193 m²
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