Malta's Pathway to Residency Overview
Out of all the investment immigration programs available in Malta, the Permanent Residence Program stands out as the best Residency by Investment solution in the country. It is open to nearly all non-EU nationals except for those at the discretion of the government.
It provides a Real Estate-exclusive investment path to Residency in Malta. After 5 years, the Residency holder will be able to apply for Citizenship. The necessary amount to invest and purchase property in Malta starts at €375,000.
€375,000+
Minimum Investment Amount6-8 Months
Average Obtaining Period5 Years
Return on InvestmentHow to apply for the Malta Permanent Residence Program and become a Resident
The documents required to apply are extensive. You can expect to supply a legal, valid passport, a clean criminal record, medical insurance covering all the applicants, and proof of being able to support yourself and your dependents in Malta. This may be accomplished in two different ways:
- Option 1: Hold assets of at least €500,000, including €150,000 in financial investments.
- Option 2: Hold assets of €650,000, with at least €75,000 in financial investments.
After the application has been successfully submitted, and Residency status has been acquired, there are further obligations. For the first 5 years, a yearly declaration will also have to be issued stating there have been no changes regarding the status of the property ownership; that the main applicant is still in possession of the financial assets and that everyone in the application is still fully covered by medical insurance.
Benefits of Malta Residency
Residency in Malta
The Malta Permanent Residency program grants its applicant(s) the right to live, work, and study in Malta, a secure and stable country.
Your Family Can Be Included
Malta has one of the most family-oriented programs, allowing up to 4 generations to also be included in the application. The main applicant’s children (including adult unmarried children up to the age of 29 and financially dependent on the main applicant, save for a few exceptions); parents and grandparents can all be included, provided the payment of additional fees.
Visa-free Travel
The European Schengen Area is open to Maltese residents. Travel to any of the other countries that have signed the Schengen Zone from any 90 days out of 180.
Path to Maltese Citizenship
The door to Maltese citizenship is open after living continuously in Malta for 5 years, and Maltese Residents can apply if they meet certain criteria, though Citizenship is not guaranteed.
Access to a Higher Standard of Living
As a country in the European Union, Malta boasts a higher standard of living across all aspects, including healthcare, transportation, education, and security. As a Resident, you are entitled to access all.
Low Physical Presence Required
As long as you maintain the property investment, you are not required to spend any time in Malta. However, you will still have to visit the country a few times to attend some key appointments, e.g.: biometrics.
Investment Options for the Malta Permanent Residence Program
Real Estate is the only qualifiable path for the Malta Permanent Residence Program and you can obtain it either by purchasing or leasing property in Malta.
Real Estate
Investing in Maltese Real Estate
With an ever-appreciating Real Estate market, this Malta Permanent Residence Program becomes an obvious choice for keen investors seeking to obtain Residency status in a country in the European Union. However, the scope goes beyond the acquisition of Residency, and into the realm of profitability. The Real Estate market is key in Malta, and it is one of the country’s driving economic forces, captivating vast amounts of foreign investment. Thus, obtaining profits from leasing your newly acquired property presents a valid opportunity to obtain a return on the investment, as Malta is a hotspot traveling destination, receiving thousands of visitors every year. After you have become a Citizen, you can always sell your property. Otherwise, you can always just keep your house in Malta as a solid Plan B, or just to escape during the summer months.
Timeline
With the aim of providing an outlook of how the process of acquiring the Malta Permanent Residence Program might unfold, Investment Visa’s advisory team has devised the following step-by-step process. You can count on their guidance from the beginning until the end and be rest assured their only goal is your financial security.
Step-by-step process
1
Investment Selection
Choosing the right investment property for you is the most crucial step, as the Malta Permanent Residence Program is exclusive to Real Estate. At Investment Visa, we boast several qualifiable properties for the program, and our experts can advise you on the best path forward.
2
Funds for Investment
Gathering the funds for the property purchase and providing proof of financial resources will be essential to proceed with the acquisition of the Permanent Residence Program.
3
Documentation Check
Having previously worked with the Malta Permanent Residence Program, our advisors have deep insights into the complexities of the Maltese system and will happily refer you to all the necessary documentation and verify if everything is up to date.
4
Permanent Residence Program Submission
With the documents in order and the funds ready for investment, our advisors will guide you through the submission process and be there every step of the way.
5
Residency Permits and Renewals
Success! With a letter issued by the government, confirming you have been approved, all can proceed with the issuance of the Residency permit to live in Malta. Since the Permanent Residence Program provides Permanent Residency, only the Residency cards will have to be renewed every 5 years.
Cost Estimates
Considering a property purchase of €375,000 in Malta:
Property purchase
€375,000+
Associated fees:
Non-refundable administrative fee:
€50,000
Dependents' fees:
€10,000 per dependent
Direct contribution fee:
€30,000 (purchase option) / (€60,000 – if through the rental option)
Mandatory philantropic contribution:
2,000€
Residency Card Issuance:
137,5€ per individual
Total (1)
Min. €467,550+ (1) *
(1) * Please be aware that this information is merely indicative, and not binding. It assumes the cost for a family of four, including two children. The simulation does not consider private medical insurance, which is mandatory in Malta. There are additional fees to consider if adding in more dependents. The final cost may vary according to your situation.
Moving to the Malta?
Check our guide to find all you need to know about the country
We Are Malta Residency by Investment Experts
Malta has an excellent, enticing Permanent Residence Program, and its Residency status can be yours. Investment Visa has a dedicated team to guide investors in acquiring the much-coveted Malta Permanent Residence Program and others across the globe.
Contact Us and Receive our Advice
Filling out our query forms is the first step toward a brighter future. Our advisors will contact you soon as possible and inform of you all of the possibilities going forward. You can rely on more than 25 years of experience in this area, and we guarantee a highly personalized service, delivered with the utmost care and integrity.
Investment Visa Experts
The name of our company reflects who we are and what we do. Our advisory team has been intimately working with investment immigration programs and has guided hundreds of investors worldwide to Residency and Citizenship status across Europe, the Caribbean, and other regions of the world.
Investment Visa: Licensed Agent
If you are seeking to get and apply for Maltese citizenship, you should know that Agenzija Komunita Malta - Community Malta Agency - does not accept individual applications. All applications must be submitted through an officially licensed program promoter.
Investment Visa is an officially licensed program promoter approved by Government of Malta and can submit applications on our clients' behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Malta Permanent Residence Program is one of the Maltese Residency by Investment programs – it enables its investors Residency status in the country.
Yes. Besides the Permanent Residence Program, Malta also has other Residency by Investment programs: the Global Residence Program, the Digital Nomads Program, and the Startup Program.
The program is exclusive to third-country nationals, which means Swiss citizens and citizens from countries in the EU, or the EEA are not eligible to participate in this program. However, Malta does restrict some nationalities from applying to its program. Contact Investment Visa to find out more about this.
Malta has enabled its Permanent Residence Program to reach up to four generations in the same family. Besides children, the main applicant can also include their parents and grandparents, as well as their spouse’s parents and grandparents, provided they are dependent on the main applicant.
The base application only covers the main applicant, a spouse, and children. For any parent or grandparent added to the Permanent Residence Program application, an additional fee of €10,000 applies.
The Permanent Residence Program provides Permanent Residency status to its applicants, and the issued Residency Certificate does not expire. However, Residency Cards will need to be renewed every 5 years.
Per the Permanent Residence Program’s property acquisition option, the minimum investment amount starts at €375,000.
Yes. The Permanent Residence Program, which leads to Permanent Residency in Malta, is exclusive to Real Estate.
Yes. After 5 years of Residency, the door to Citizenship becomes unlocked. Provided they meet eligibility requirements, Maltese residents can apply to become Citizens.
No. Though it is not recommended, you can also rent property in Malta, and still be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence Program.
There is no minimum stay requirements to maintain the Malta Permanent Residence Program.
