How to obtain Malta permanent residence

The Maltese law defines two main ways of obtaining permanent residence. The more expensive but faster option is getting it by investment. The other path, naturalisation, implies no significant costs but takes much longer.

Let’s go through the conditions of both options.

March 21, 2024
Reading Time: 3 min

Malta permanent residence by investment

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme governs the issuance of permanent residency to investors. The programme terms are established by the Immigration Act L.N. 121 of 2021.

Any citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Union can join the programme. Along with the investor, their close family members can get residency under the same application. 

Investors are not required to take exams on the Maltese language and history. Residing in Malta before or after obtaining the permanent residence permit for a specified time is also not required.

Only investors over 18 years old, with valid passports and health insurance, can join the programme. Aside from that, the applicant has to confirm that they have funds of no less than €500,000 in their possession, at least €150,000 of which are liquid financial assets.

Сosts for obtaining Malta PR by investment

Type of expenseAmount
Administrative fee€40,000
Real estate investment€300,000+ if purchasing a property in the south of Malta or on Gozo
€350,000+ if purchasing a property in the north or centre of Malta

€10,000+ if renting a property in the south of Malta or on Gozo
€12,000+ if renting a property in the south of Malta or on Gozo
Non-refundable contribution fee €28,000 if purchasing real estate
or €58,000 if renting

+ €7,500 per parent or grandparent
Donation to an NGO€2,000

The applicant needs to provide the state programme regulator Identity Malta with the following documents: 

  • a criminal record certificate confirming the absence of convictions and criminal prosecutions;
  • a Due Diligence certificate;
  • a rental agreement or a property ownership certificate; 
  • confirmation of fulfilment of the investment conditions;
  • medical record confirming that the main applicant and their family members do not carry contagious diseases. 

The application processing generally takes 4 to 6 months.

Up to 6 months
Processing of investors’ applications for Malta PR

There is no upper limit for the applicant’s age. For instance, at Immigrant Invest, we worked on a case for a couple of 70 and 76 years old. 

There are no limits for the investor’s relatives as well, but they must be principally dependent on the main applicant to get permanent residence under the investment programme.

Step-by-step process of obtaining Malta PR by investment

A Malta permanent residence card can be acquired in about 8 months.

PT8M
1 day
Initial consultation
Initial consultation

The prospective applicant connects with an Immigrant Invest expert to ensure their eligibility. This meeting helps in understanding the specifics of the program, financial implications, and requirements.

Immigrant Invest assists investors in obtaining Malta permanent residence under the licence numbered AKM-IMIN.

Up to 5 weeks
Documentation collection
Documentation collection

With the help of Immigrant Invest lawyers, the applicant collects the required documents, such as proof of source of funds, certificate of no criminal records, health insurance policy, and other personal and financial documents.

1 day
Application submission
Application submission

Immigrant Invest handles the intricacies of the application process, ensuring all documents are in order and submitted to the Maltese authorities promptly.

4 to 6 months
Due Diligence
Due Diligence

The Maltese government’s rigorous vetting process ensures that only reputable individuals receive residency. This involves scrutinising financial, criminal, and personal records.

Up to 8 months
Making the investment
Making the investment

Applicants choose between buying a property in Malta or committing to a rental agreement for 5 years. They also pay the contribution and administration fees at this stage,  as well as make a required charity donation.

1 day
Fingerprinting
Fingerprinting

All applicants in the application visit Malta for fingerprinting and possibly other biometric data collection. This step aids in identity verification and security checks.

1—1.5 months
Residency card issuance
Residency card issuance

After verifying the investments and ensuring all criteria are met, the Maltese government processes the issuance of the permanent residency card. This card is a physical manifestation of the applicant’s residency status in Malta.

Malta permanent residence by naturalisation

Malta residents can apply for permanent residence if they have lived there for 5 years or more. 

Malta permanent residence requirements include proof of yearly income of €20,000. If family members are included in the application, then the income has to be increased by 20% for each person.

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, they are required to:

  • pass an exam on the country’s history and culture;
  • get medical insurance;
  • compose an explanation letter describing why they moved to Malta and stayed there.

It takes around a year to process an application for Malta permanent residency by naturalisation.

Two main ways to obtain Malta permanent residence
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is the fastest way to obtain a permanent residence permit in the country without proving the knowledge of the language and history or living in the country permanently for five years

Benefits of Malta permanent residence

Status for life. Permanent residence is granted for life. The only condition for its holder is to renew it every five years. 

Opportunity to move to Malta. The long-term residence status in Malta allows you to enter the country anytime and stay there as long as you wish. On the other hand, permanent residents are not obliged to reside in the country.

Visa-free travel to Europe. Malta is a Schengen Area country. It means that its residents can freely travel to other states of the Area for short visits up to 90 days every 6 months.

An opportunity to add family members to the application. When obtaining permanent residence by investment, the applicant can provide permits to their family members:

  • a spouse or a registered partner;
  • children up to 18;
  • children over 18 if they are principally dependent on the investor; 
  • parents and grandparents of the investor and their spouse if they are principally dependent on the main applicant. 

Return of the money for part of the investment. If the investor chooses to purchase accommodation, they will be able to resell it after five years of owning it. 

Fast and simple obtainment. It takes 4—6 months to get approval after you applied for permanent residency in Malta by investment.        

Frequently asked questions   

Does Malta have permanent residence?

Malta permanent residence is provided to foreign nationals legally residing in the state for at least 5 years or by investment.

Learn more about obtaining permanent residency in Malta by investment.

What are the benefits of PR in Malta?

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme does not require investors to live permanently in the country. Part of the investment is returnable in five years if the applicant chooses to purchase real estate.

The permanent residence status allows its holder to travel to any state of the Schengen Area visa-free, obtain tax-residence status, be employed by a Maltese company, including top management positions, and do business.

Learn more about the pros and cons of permanent residence in Malta in our blog post: Benefits and drawbacks of Malta permanent residence.

How to get permanent residence in Malta?

There are two ways for foreign nationals to obtain Malta permanent residence.

The first implies residing in Malta for five years and passing exams on the country’s culture and history.

The second way to become a permanent resident in Malta is by investment. In this case, the applicant will obtain the status in 4 to 6 months and will not be required to take any exams.

Can I become a tax resident of Malta without permanent residence status or citizenship?

Aside from the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, there is another way to move to Malta for investors — the Malta Global Residence Programme. It implies obtaining a residence permit after renting or purchasing an apartment.

The rent should cost at least €8,750, and the minimum price for a real estate purchase is €220,000. Aside from that, applicants pay an administrative fee of €5,500 or €6,000 depending on the region of the country they chose accommodation in.

The processing of the applications takes around 3—4 months.

How to purchase or rent accommodation in Malta?

To rent or purchase accommodation, the investor can take advantage of the services of a real estate agent in Malta or conduct the whole process by themselves.

Immigrant Invest does not search for housing options, but our agents help investors find reliable realtors and accompany the deal.

How long does it take to get Malta PR?

Malta permanent residence by investment can be obtained in 4 to 6 months after you applied. In other cases, getting PR status takes at least five years of living in Malta.

If I purchase real estate for, say, €190,000 and then spend another €100,000 for renovation, will the sum of the investments be enough to participate in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?

The decisive factor is the price of the real estate mentioned in the sale and purchase agreement. This means that the described option is not eligible for the programme.

Is it necessary to prove the dependency of family members on the investor?

For some family members, it is required to provide a notarised certificate of financial dependency. This is the case with the investor’s children over 18 years old, as well as the parents and grandparents of the applicant and their spouse.

Schedule a meeting

Let’s discuss the details

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.

Zlata Erlach
Caribbean Investment Program Expert
Schedule a meeting
Prefer messengers? WhatsApp Telegram
Scroll to Top