Malta Global Residence Programme
Residency in Malta for living by the sea, travelling to the Schengen Area and tax optimisation
Download the guide
Calculate the cost
5+ months
Residency obtaining period
€30,000+
Investment amount
90 days in 180
Visa-free travelling in the Schengen Area
Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP) was launched in 2013. It is designed for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals who wish to obtain Malta residency and don’t benefit from other Maltese programmes.
Investors buy or rent real estate and pay an administrative fee. Also, they pay taxes in Malta under a special regime, and the minimum annual tax is €15,000.
Spouses, children, brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents of the investors can obtain Malta residence permits, too. Household staff may also be included in the application, but they don’t benefit from a special tax regime, and their income is taxed at standard rates.
Malta residency by investment doesn’t require living in the country to maintain the status. However, investors mustn’t spend more than 183 days a year in any other jurisdiction.
Benefits of Malta residence by investment
1
Moving to Malta or creating a back-pocket residence
A Malta residence permit allows one to live in Malta and to enter the country anytime while the residence permit is valid. An investor can buy real estate in Malta, open a bank account and create a plan B residence there.
2
Travelling to the Schengen Area visa-free
Holders of Malta residence permits may stay in other countries of the Schengen area for 90 days in 180.
3
Tax optimisation with a special regime
The Global Residence Programme provides a special tax regime: income received in Malta from foreign sources is taxed at 15%, and foreign income not transferred to Malta is exempt from taxation there.
4
Relatively low costs for residency in a European country
To get a Malta residence permit, an investor needs to spend €30,000+ on rent, an administrative fee and annual taxes, while in other European countries, the investment amount for getting a Golden Visa starts from €250,000.
5
Inclusion of family members
The application allows for the addition of dependents, encompassing the spouse, minor offspring, and dependent unmarried children until the age of 25. Financially dependent parents and grandparents from both the main applicant’s and spouse’s side can also be incorporated into the application.
6
Right to work or set up business
Malta residence permit holders can work in Malta or launch a company in the country. Compared to some jurisdictions, Malta’s tax system may present a more advantageous environment for conducting business.
7
No minimum stay requirement
A Malta GRP holder does not have to live in the country. Yet, they must have a property available for their exclusive use year-round in Malta.
Get maximum information
about the process
- Step-by-step procedure
- Requirements for applicants
- Required documents
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Download the guide
PDF, 36 pages, 12 МB
Who can apply for a Malta residence permit
Investor
- Over 18 years old
- Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss national
- Without criminal record
- Capable of confirming the legality of the income
- With stable financial resources to support themselves without recourse to Malta social assistance
- With health insurance valid in the EU
- Able to speak English or Maltese
Spouse or partner
- In official marriage or de facto partnership with the investor
Children under 25
- Principally dependent on the investor
Siblings
- Principally dependent on the investor
Parents and grandparents
- Principally dependent on the investor
Household staff
- Has a contract with the investor
- Works for the investor for a minimum of two years prior to the application
Expenses for obtaining Malta residency under the GRP
An investor buys or rents a home in Malta and pays an administrative fee and taxes to get a Malta residence permit.
Residential real estate is bought or rented by the investors for themselves and their families. They mustn’t rent or sell their properties in Malta while holding their residence permit.
The cost threshold depends on the property’s region — in the south of Malta and Gozo, the minimum prices are lower.
The administrative fee is €6,000 in most cases, but if one buys a property in the south of Malta or Gozo, it is €5,500.
Taxes in Malta for the GRP participants are levied at the following rates:
- 15% on foreign income received in Malta;
- 35% on income earned in Malta;
- 0% on foreign income not transferred to Malta.
The minimum annual tax on a family’s foreign income is €15,000.
Additional costs include health insurance for each family member and legal services.
1 option
Renting real estate
If an investor rents housing, the annual rentals must be at least €8,750 in the south of Malta or Gozo or €9,600 in other regions.
| Renting real estate | €8,750+ €9,600+ |
| Administrative fee | €6,000 |
| Annual taxes | €15,000+ |
| Additional costs that are not stated by the GRP Regulations, an approximate estimate | |
| Documents translation and apostille, notary fees | €4,000+ depending on the particular case |
| Health insurance | €500+ per person |
2 option
Purchasing real estate
A property in the south of Malta or Gozo must cost at least €220,000, and the minimum price in other areas is €275,000.
| Buying real estate | €220,000+ €275,000+ |
| Administrative fee | €6,000 or €5,500 in case of property in the south of Malta or Gozo |
| Annual taxes | €15,000+ |
| Additional costs that are not stated by the GRP Regulations, an approximate estimate | |
| Fees, taxes and services when buying real estate | Up to 8% of the property price |
| Documents translation and apostille, notary fees | €4,000+ depending on the particular case |
| Health insurance | €500+ per person |
Individual cost calculation for the Malta residence permit
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Get the cost calculationWe will send you a quote by email within 1 hour.
Real estate to buy to get a Malta residence permit
Malta, Kalkara
€300,000+
Apartments in a large-scale residential project on the first coastline
71 m² — 310 m²
1—3
1—3
Malta, Sliema
€920,000+
Apartments in a new residential high-rise project near the sea
176 m² — 211 m²
2—3
2
Malta, Valletta
€1,510,000+
Modern apartments not far from sea in Valetta
123 m² — 281 m²
1—3
1—3
Selection of real estate
Individual selection
of properties
for investment
- Discuss your tasks and goals
- Choose between properties from reliable developers
- Get fully prepared and verified documents for a purchase
Elena Kozyreva,Managing Director
for Real Estate projects
How to get a Malta residence permit: a step-by-step procedure
Getting a special tax status and a Malta GRP card takes several months. The application processing time under the Malta residence programme is 3—4 weeks, and some time is needed to prepare all necessary documents.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Preliminary Due Diligence
1 day
The crucial step of the Malta Global Residence Programme is Due Diligence, which is intended to check whether the applicants match all the requirements.
Immigrant Invest conducts its own preliminary Due Diligence to prepare for the main one. Certified Anti Money Laundering Officers check the documents and information in international databases. If they find issues, our lawyers suggest a solution, for example, to add some documents or to choose another programme.
The preliminary Due Diligence takes one working day, and it is confidential: only you and the lawyers who work on the application will know the results.
4+ weeks
Preparation of the application
Preparation of the application
4+ weeks
Immigrant Invest lawyers provide an investor with a list of required documents. When the investor submits the originals, they make copies and translations, notarise them, and fill out the government forms.
Also, the investor needs to buy or rent real estate in Malta at this stage. Immigrant Invest experts offer some suitable options, check the documents and help the investor to make a deal.
3—4 months
Due Diligence
Due Diligence
3—4 months
When all the necessary documents are ready, Immigrant Invest lawyers submit them to the Malta Inland Revenue Department (IRD). This step is remote for the investor.
Due Diligence lasts for 3–4 months. If additional questions appear, lawyers prepare answers and all necessary documents.
2+ weeks
Applying for a Maltese residence permit
Applying for a Maltese residence permit
2+ weeks
After the notice of approval is received, the main applicant goes to Malta to pass an interview with the Commissioner for Revenue. The investor needs to explain in English why they have chosen Malta, and the Commissioner explains the details of the programme. The interview is conducted in an informal setting and takes 15–30 minutes.
The Commissioner gives their approval in principle. After that, the applicant pays €15,000 of tax. Immigrant Invest lawyer receives a confirmation of special tax status with the investor’s Malta tax number within two weeks.
2+ weeks
Applying for Malta residency
Applying for Malta residency
2+ weeks
Immigrant Invest lawyers help the investor collect documents for the residency application. The list includes the letter from IRD confirming the investor’s special tax status, copies of passports, certificates of marriage and birth. Also, the investor must submit a bank statement for the last six months confirming the account balance of €30,000 per family member.
All applicants must go to Malta to submit their documents to Identity Malta Agency and for fingerprinting.
6+ weeks
Getting Malta residency
Getting Malta residency
6+ weeks
The Identity Malta Agency processes the applications for 5–6 weeks on average. Then they send a letter to the Maltese address of the investor to notify them that the residence cards are ready.
The investors and their family members come to the Identity Malta Agency in person to get their residence permits.
1 year, then every 2 years
Malta residence permit renewal
Malta residence permit renewal
1 year, then every 2 years
The first residence permit in Malta under the GRP is valid for a year. To renew it, an investor has to submit a tax return and pay taxes in Malta until April 30th of the year following the reporting one.
The IRD issues a letter on the extension of the tax status, and the investor applies for a residence permit renewal to the Identity Malta Agency. New cards are ready two weeks after fingerprinting and are valid for two years.
What help can you get from us after obtaining Malta residency?
You might need additional services after getting a Malta residence permit. Please, observe how we can help.
Renewal of residence permit cards
We help investors renew their residency cards after a year and then every two years.
Replacement of the lost PR cards
We prepare all the necessary documents, submit them and help to get a new residence card.
Opening a bank account
We prepare the required documents and fill out the bank forms.
Adding family members to the programme
We help to get PR permits for spouses, parents, children, and grandchildren after the approval of the investor’s application.
Registration of tax residency
It’s possible if you spend 183+ days a year in Malta.
Registration of yachts
We help to register yachts under the Maltese flag.
Getting a driver’s licence
We consult on the process of obtaining a Maltese driver’s licence. The applicant needs to pass the driving exams.
Selecting a property to buy and conducting the deal
We help investors choose an object online and check the property. Then we help to conclude the deal.
Frequently asked questions
What is Malta GRP?
Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP) is a government program launched in 2013. It was designed for third-country nationals, non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss, who wish to get Malta residency. The programme’s rules allow spouses, children, and other investors’ relatives to obtain residence permits, too.
Investors are obliged to pay taxes in Malta. Also, they must pay an administrative fee and buy or rent real estate in Malta to get the status.
Is it easy to get residency in Malta?
Sometimes it can be challenging to get a Malta residence permit, but the process may be more convenient if you apply for residency under the Global Residence Programme.
All applicants must meet the eligibility requirements: have legal income, no criminal records, and be able to support themselves and their families without help from Malta’s government. Also, only non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals may participate in this programme.
How do I get a Maltese residence card under the GRP?
You need to rent or buy real estate in Malta, pay an administrative fee, and then apply for a special tax status. The Due Diligence check takes 3—4 months, and if you get approval, you pass an interview with the Commissioner for Revenue and pay €15,000 of annual tax.
When you have got the special tax status, you may apply for residency and obtain your cards. Usually, it takes about two months.
How long does it take to get a residence permit in Malta?
It takes about 5+ months to obtain a residence permit in Malta under the Global residence programme.
What are the requirements to live in Malta?
You need a residence permit to stay in Malta. It can be obtained for different purposes, like studying or working in the country. And wealthy foreigners may obtain residency by investment, for example, under the Global Residence Programme.
Investors need legal income, funds to support themselves and their families, a home in Malta, and health insurance. Also, no criminal record is a must.
How to get permanent residency in Malta?
You can apply for Malta permanent residency after five years of living there with a residence permit or get it by investment in several months under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
How to get Malta citizenship?
The most common way for foreigners to obtain Malta citizenship is naturalisation. One can apply for a passport if they have lived in the country for 5+ years, learned English or Maltese, and have two Malta citizens as sponsors for the application.
HNWIs can apply for Malta citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment. This path allows one to apply for a passport after a year or three with a residence permit. The minimum investment amount is €690,000.
How long is a residence permit valid in Malta?
A Malta residence permit obtained under the GRP is valid for one year. It can be renewed for another 2 years for unlimited times as long as the investor meets the programme’s requirements.
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 ErlachCaribbean investment program expert
