Investment-Based Residency in Malta
Malta offers several pathways for foreign nationals to obtain residency through financial investment. These programmes are managed by the Residency Malta Agency and are designed to attract high-net-worth individuals and their families. The primary options include the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) for lifetime residency and the Global Residence Programme (GRP) for those seeking specific tax status.
For the 2025/2026 period, the Maltese government has introduced updated fee structures to streamline the application process and provide more flexibility for family groups. All applicants must undergo rigorous due diligence checks to ensure they meet the "fit and proper" criteria of the Republic of Malta.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
The MPRP is the most common route for non-EU nationals seeking permanent residency. As of the latest 2025 updates (Legal Notice 146), the financial structure has been unified to simplify costs for families.
Financial Requirements
- Administrative Fee: A non-refundable fee of €60,000 ($69,600 USD, Jan 2026). This covers the main applicant and immediate dependents such as spouses and minor children.
- Government Contribution: A unified contribution of €37,000 ($42,920 USD, Jan 2026), applicable whether the applicant chooses to buy or rent property.
- Charitable Donation: A mandatory donation of €2,000 ($2,320 USD, Jan 2026) to a registered Maltese non-governmental organization (NGO).
- Property Investment: Applicants must either purchase property for a minimum of €375,000 ($435,000 USD, Jan 2026) or lease property for at least €14,000 ($16,240 USD, Jan 2026) per year. These properties must be maintained for at least five years.
Asset Verification
Applicants must provide proof of assets totalling no less than €500,000 ($580,000 USD, Jan 2026), of which €150,000 ($174,000 USD, Jan 2026) must be held as liquid financial assets. These assets must be available for the entire duration of the residency certificate issuance period.
Global Residence Programme (GRP)
The GRP is a tax-centric residency programme for non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals. It provides a 1-year renewable residence permit and grants a special tax status on foreign income.
Tax and Fee Structure
- Minimum Annual Tax: €15,000 ($17,400 USD, Jan 2026). This is a mandatory annual payment regardless of the amount of foreign income remitted to Malta.
- Administrative Fee: €6,000 ($6,960 USD, Jan 2026), or €5,500 ($6,380 USD, Jan 2026) if the property is located in Gozo or the South of Malta.
- Property Thresholds: If renting, the minimum annual rent is €9,600 ($11,136 USD, Jan 2026) or €8,750 ($10,150 USD, Jan 2026) in Gozo/South. If purchasing, the minimum price is €275,000 ($319,000 USD, Jan 2026) or €220,000 ($255,200 USD, Jan 2026) in Gozo/South.
Note: Beneficiaries of the GRP enjoy a flat tax rate of 15% on foreign-sourced income that is remitted to Malta. Foreign income not remitted is generally not taxed in Malta.
General Application Process
The application process for investment-based residency typically follows these steps:
- Agent Engagement: Applications must be submitted through an Accredited Agent (licensed by the Maltese government).
- Temporary Permit: For the MPRP, once initial background checks are passed and the first portion of the admin fee is paid, a one-year temporary residence card may be issued to allow the family to relocate while the full application is processed.
- Due Diligence: The Community Malta Agency or Residency Malta Agency conducts a four-tier due diligence process on all family members over the age of 14.
- Compliance: After receiving a "Letter of Approval in Principle," the applicant has several months (typically six) to complete the property lease/purchase, pay the remaining contributions, and make the NGO donation.
Exceptions and Limitations
Residency by investment does not grant an automatic right to work in Malta; separate work permits (Single Permits) may be required depending on the specific residency status held. Furthermore, citizens of certain countries (often referred to as "sanctioned countries") are ineligible to apply. The list of ineligible countries is subject to change based on international sanctions and policy updates from the Ministry for Home Affairs.
All applicants must maintain valid health insurance coverage for all risks in Malta and must not spend more than 183 days per year in any other single jurisdiction if they wish to maintain their tax status under programmes like the GRP.