# Malta

Source: https://www.savoryandpartners.com/programs/residency-by-investment/malta · Updated: 2026-10-13

Obtain Malta Residency Visa. Contact Savory & Partners' team of experts to learn more about the Malta residency by investment program.

## Malta Residency by Investment Requirements

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) started accepting applicants in 2021. It replaced the Malta Residence and Visa Programme which launched in 2016.

To be eligible to apply for this program, you must be over 18 years old, in good health, and without a criminal record.

Applicants must be third-country nationals, pass the programme’s due-diligence requirements, demonstrate stable and regular resources, meet one of the prescribed capital-asset tests, secure qualifying residential property in Malta or Gozo, pay the applicable programme fees and contribution, make the EUR 2,000 NGO donation and maintain the required health insurance.

## Main Applicant Requirements

- 18+ years of age
- Good health
- No criminal record
- Successfully pass due diligence checks
- Confirm investment sources
- Third-country national: non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss
- Meet one of the prescribed capital-asset tests

## Eligible Dependents

- Spouse or eligible partner recognised under the programme rules
- Children, including adopted children, under 18
- Unmarried children aged 18 to under 29 who are principally dependent on the main applicant
- Parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse who are not in full-time employment and are principally dependent on the main applicant
- Adult children of the main applicant or spouse with a qualifying disability

## Malta Residency by Investment Benefits

## Schengen Travel

Permanent residents may travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to Schengen rules.

## Permanent Resident Status

The Residence-by-Investment Certificate allows approved beneficiaries to reside, settle or stay indefinitely in Malta, subject to continued programme compliance.

## Tax Treatment

The MPRP does not create a special tax regime. Maltese tax treatment depends on the individual’s tax residence and domicile.

## Family Inclusion

The programme may include a spouse or eligible partner, children and qualifying dependent parents or grandparents, subject to the statutory criteria.

## Legal Basis

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is established under the Immigration Act (Chapter 217), principally Article 7A, and the Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, S.L. 217.26. The Regulations originated in Legal Notice 121 of 2021 and have since been amended, including by Legal Notice 310 of 2024 and Legal Notice 146 of 2025.

## Costs of Malta Permanent Residency

The MPRP combines prescribed programme charges with a qualifying-property requirement. The main applicant pays a EUR 60,000 administration fee, EUR 37,000 government contribution and EUR 2,000 NGO donation, and must either purchase qualifying property for at least EUR 375,000 or rent qualifying property for at least EUR 14,000 per year in Malta or Gozo.

## Purchase Real Estate

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Minimum Property Investment | €375,000 |
| Property rent per annum | €14,000 |

## Government Contribution

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| If purchasing a property | €37,000 |
| If leasing a property | €37,000 |

## NGO Donation

Donate to a local philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sport or animal welfare NGO registered with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| MINIMUM DONATION | €2,000 |

## Administrative Fees

Chargeable dependants: Unmarried principally dependent child aged 18 to under 29, and principally dependent parent or grandparent of the main applicant or spouse. Payment timing: EUR 15,000 within 1 month of application submission, EUR 45,000 within 2 months of the Letter of Approval in Principle.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Main applicant | €60,000 |
| Each qualifying adult dependant other than the spouse | €7,500 |
| Residence card fee per person | €500 for five years |

## Additional information

**FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERA**

You must demonstrate one of the following:

- TOTAL ASSETS OF AT LEAST €500,000
  - €150,000 MINIMUM IN FINANCIAL ASSETS
- TOTAL ASSETS OF AT LEAST €650,000
  - €75,000 MINIMUM IN FINANCIAL ASSETS

## Application Process For Malta Permanent Residency

Processing time is case-dependent and is influenced by application completeness and due diligence. Residency Malta does not publish a fixed overall MPRP decision timeframe. Following approval, applicants must meet certain deadlines, including paying the remaining administration fees within two months and completing the required contribution, property, donation, and insurance requirements within eight months.

1. Appoint a licensed MPRP agent and prepare the application file.
2. The agent submits the application. Pay the initial EUR 15,000 administration fee within 1 month.
3. Residency Malta conducts its four-tier due-diligence process.
4. If approved, Residency Malta issues a Letter of Approval in Principle.
5. Within 2 months, pay the remaining EUR 45,000 main-applicant administration fee and applicable dependant fees.
6. Within 8 months, pay the EUR 37,000 contribution, secure qualifying property, make the EUR 2,000 NGO donation and provide health insurance.
7. Complete biometrics. Residence cards are issued once programme conditions are satisfied.
8. Maintain the qualifying property and required capital position for 5 years; thereafter maintain residential property in Malta or Gozo as required.

## Application Process

Case-Dependent

## Visa-free Countries with Malta Residency

Visa-free destinations: 

When you become a permanent resident of Malta, you can travel freely through the Schengen Area.

### Visa-free access (29 countries)

- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland

## Client Success Stories

### A Safe and Bright Future

**The Challenge**

Our Indian client was a successful business owner and single parent who found himself at a crossroads. He had built a thriving business in India, but as a single father, his top priority was ensuring a secure and promising future for his daughter. He dreamed of providing her with access to world-class education and a safe environment to grow up in, but relocating would disrupt his business. On top of that, the complexities of obtaining the necessary documents for his daughter after a recent divorce made the process even more challenging.

**Our Solution**

Understanding the weight of his situation, we set out to find a solution that would offer both personal and professional stability.

**Portugal: The Ideal Destination**

We recommended the Portugal Golden Visa program, a tailored residency-by-investment route that allowed him to maintain his business in India while fulfilling Portugal’s flexible residency requirements (just seven days per year). This program also ensured his daughter could relocate immediately, gaining access to world-class schools and a safe environment.

To meet the program’s criteria, our client chose the **EUR 500,000 investment fund option**, channeling his resources into a venture capital fund committed to boosting businesses in Portugal. This fund, designed with a minimum five-year maturity and a portfolio with at least 60% of investments in Portuguese companies, aligned perfectly with his vision of contributing to a growing economy.

The process required meticulous planning. Together, we navigated the legal documentation, secured a taxpayer number, and opened a local bank account. After finalizing the investment and submitting the necessary documents, his application was successfully processed by the government.

**Business Growth Across Europe**

To ensure his application’s long-term viability and foster local economic growth, our client created **five permanent jobs** within the Portuguese business landscape. This not only fulfilled a critical requirement for the program but also underscored his dedication to making a meaningful impact in his new home.

**Supporting the Journey**

From the start, our team at Savory & Partners took a hands-on approach to ensure everything was in place. We helped gather all the necessary documents for both him and his daughter, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish. Our experts made sure every requirement was met for a successful residency application, including due diligence and timely submission.

**The Result**

Today, our client and his daughter are enjoying their lives in Portugal. He has not only secured a brighter future for her, with access to top-tier education and a safe, stable environment, but he’s also expanding his business across Europe.

_Why Choose Portugal Golden Visa?_

Portugal’s Golden Visa program is designed to provide individuals and families with a pathway to residency while offering numerous lifestyle and business opportunities. Here’s why it’s the right choice:

- Flexible investment options that allow you to secure residency by investing €500,000 in an eligible investment fund or venture capital fund.
- EU citizenship after five years with minimal residency requirements (seven days per year).
- World-class education, healthcare, and safety.
- Strategic location and business-friendly environment to grow your ventures across Europe.
- Ability to relocate with your family and ensure access to top-tier education and a secure environment for your loved ones.

For those considering the Golden Visa, here’s a closer look at the available investment pathways and the application process:

**Investment Options**

- **€500,000**: Invest in private equity or venture capital funds
- **€250,000**: Support arts or cultural heritage.

**Application Process**

Apply remotely or in person by selecting an investment, opening a bank account, and submitting documents. After a biometric visit, you’ll receive a two-year renewable residence permit. Citizenship or permanent residency can follow after five years.

## Download brochure

- Length: 4 pages
- Language: English & Arabic
- size: 1 mb

**Content**
- Malta Country profile
- Benefits of the program
- Investment requirements
- Investment process

## About Malta

- CAPITAL: Valletta
- TOTAL AREA: 315 km²
- POPULATION: 569,900
- LANGUAGE(S): Maltese, English
- CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)
- EXCHANGE RATE: $1 = €0.89
- GDP – PER CAPITA (2025): USD 45,730
- GDP – TOTAL (2025): USD 25.75 billion

### About Malta

The small historic island group of Malta lies in the heart of the Mediterranean. The country has a very rich history. Malta is home to several sites related to its succession of leaders including from the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, French, and British. After 160 years of British rules, the Country obtained its independence in 1964.

- The 2 official languages of Malta are English and Maltese
- It is a constitutional republic and parliamentary democracy, and the Prime Minister is the head of the government
- The country is a member of the major international organizations including the United Nations and the Council of Europe, and the International Monetary Fund, and is a member of the European Union as well as the Eurozone and the Schengen Area
- The currency is the Euro
- The island’s international airport is modern and efficient; connecting the island to most European cities via major airlines
- The country has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers, short mild winters, warm sunny springs, and autumns with moderate rainfall
- The capital of Malta is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union

### Where is Malta?

Malta is an island in Southern Europe. It is the largest and most populous of the three major islands that constitute the Maltese Archipelago. The island is situated in the Mediterranean Sea, directly south of Italy and north of Libya.
