Malta Digital Nomad Visa: make a paradise island your office by the sea

The Malta Digital Nomad Visa is an unofficial name for the Malta Nomad Residence Permit, NRP.

Whether you’re freelancing, running your own business, or working remotely for a company abroad, you’ve got options in Malta. Just one key rule: your income must come from outside the country. If you’re an entrepreneur, Malta considers you self-employed.

The Residency Malta Agency reviews applications for the Nomad Residence Permit.

1. The right to live in Malta. You can make Malta your temporary home for up to 4 years. The Nomad Residence Permit is initially valid for 1 year, and you can renew it 3 more times. Just make sure you spend at least 5 months each year in Malta.

The Malta Nomad Residence Permit does not provide the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. If your goal is permanent residency, you’ll need to live in Malta for 5 years under a different type of permit, like a standard work visa, or obtain it by investment.

2. Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. With your Maltese Nomad Visa, you’re free to explore the rest of the Schengen Area and stay there up to 90 days within any 180-day period, no extra visas needed.

3. Income tax exemption in Malta. Double taxation arises if you spend more than 183 days a year in Malta. In this case, you become a Maltese tax resident and pay taxes in both the source country and Malta.

Since December 7th, 2023, digital nomads only pay a flat 10% tax on income from their “authorised work”. It is far less than Malta’s usual rates, which can reach 35%.

Authorised work means the employment or self-employment income on the basis of which the applicant got their Nomad Permit. 

If you’re already paying at least 10% in taxes abroad, you may not owe anything extra in Malta thanks to Malta’s double tax treaties. Just bring the proof.

You also get a 12-month tax break starting from when you receive your permit or from January 1st, 2024, whichever comes later.

Any other income not derived from the authorised work will be subject to the general taxation rules as per Malta’s Income Tax Act.

The application will be accepted from a foreigner over 18 from a country that is not part of the EU or the EEA. Malta also does not accept applications from citizens of:

• Afghanistan,

• Belarus,

• Democratic Republic of Congo,

• Iran,

• North Korea,

• Russia,

• Somalia,

• South Sudan,

• Sudan,

• Syria,

• Yemen,

• Venezuela.

The Malta Immigration Agency may revise the stop list of countries: exclude some or include others.

You don’t have to be an IT specialist to get a residence permit. A foreigner can work in any field: design, provide business consulting, or manage a company — from a marketplace to a factory.

The Malta Digital Nomad Visa does not give the right to conduct business in Malta, work for a Maltese company or provide services to Maltese clients as a freelancer.

To qualify, you’ll need to show a monthly pre-tax income of at least €3,500. While the official figure is €42,000 per year, what really matters is your average income over the last 3 months.

Only the income from professional activities counts; dividends, interest on deposits, and income from rental real estate are excluded.

Your family can also obtain residence permits. Eligible family members include:

• a spouse in an official marriage or a partner, including the same-sex couples;

• children under 18, including adopted;

• children over 18 if unmarried and don’t have income of their own.

No need to worry about extra income just because you’re applying for your whole family — the €3,500 minimum stays the same. And if you’re not ready to include everyone right away, you can always add them later.

An applicant for a Digital Nomad Visa fills out a set form, attaches personal documents, and confirms employment and income.

Documents for residence permits are translated into English and notarised. Certified documents are legalised: it confirms the legal force of the document abroad. To do this, they put a special stamp — an apostille. Documents are apostilled only in the country where they were issued.

The following documents confirm information about the applicants:

1. Completed application forms with information about the main applicant and family members receiving residence permits.

2. Motivation letter explaining why the applicant wants to obtain a Malta residence permit. The letter lists the details of bank transactions related to income from work: salary, bonuses, and fees for services.

3. Autobiography, or a CV — the applicant lists where they have worked and studied.

4. Scans of all pages of the main applicant’s passports and family members' passports.

Applications must be completed in English online. The documents are printed, signed, and scanned.

Confirmation of place of work is done with one of the documents, depending on the category of the main applicant:

• hired workers provide an employment contract. If the employment contract does not indicate the opportunity to work remotely, it is confirmed by a letter from the employer;

• self-employed freelancers provide a service agreement that determines the list, content, and cost of work;

• entrepreneurs provide an extract from the register of legal entities and the register of founders.

A necessary condition is that the contracts guarantee an average monthly income of €3,500+ for 5 months from submitting the visa application. For example, an employment contract is valid for at least another 6 months, or a service contract provides for fixed payments 6 months in advance.

Confirmation of income requires a bank statement for the last 3 months proving that the applicant has received an income of €3,500+ per month. The minimum amount includes salary, business income, and self-employment income.

The applicant downloads a statement from the banking application in PDF or scans a paper document. The Residency Malta Agency does not accept screenshots or edited files.

Documents of the applicant’s family members are the following:

• for a spouse — a marriage certificate;

• for an unregistered partnership — documents that confirm that the couple has been living together for at least two years;

• for children — birth certificates;

• for children over 18 — a notarised certificate that the child is financially or physically dependent on the main applicant;

• a court decision regarding guardianship or adoption.

Notarised certificates from friends or neighbours, joint lease agreements, bank statements about a joint account, or mutual transfers are suitable to confirm an unregistered marriage.

If a child moves to Malta with only one parent, the applicant must provide a court decision to determine the child’s place of residence after divorce. If there is no court decision, for example, the parents have not divorced, the Residency Malta Agency will request additional documents individually.

If the main applicant or family members have changed their name, a certificate of name change is required. If one of the spouses changed their last name when registering the marriage, it is enough to provide a marriage certificate.

Additional documents after approval of the residence permit. The applicant confirms their place of residence in Malta and purchases health insurance for 1 year.

The place of residence is confirmed by a rental agreement or a reservation on Airbnb. For trips within the Schengen Area, additional travel insurance is purchased.

Buying property in Malta can open the door to a residence permit — or even permanent residency, depending on how much you invest. You can still qualify by renting a home long-term instead of purchasing one. Property prices are more affordable in Gozo and southern Malta — great spots to consider.

Besides the property cost, you’ll also pay an administrative fee and make contributions to Malta’s National Development and Social Fund, plus a local charity.

With your residency, you can live in sunny Malta, travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area, and even take advantage of tax benefits.

You can also obtain Malta citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment.

It starts with a residence permit. From there, you’ll go through a rigorous Eligibility Assessment to ensure you meet Malta’s high standards. Next, you’ll make key contributions: one to Malta’s National Development and Social Fund and another to a local non-profit.

A residential address in Malta is also necessary: rented or purchased real estate is suitable.

You can be granted citizenship in as little as one year or up to three after securing your residence permit.

Malta is a beautiful destination for digital nomads, offering a mix of rich history, stunning Mediterranean landscapes, and a growing digital infrastructure. 

Valletta, the stunning capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, blends baroque architecture with a modern buzz. You’ll find a growing number of coworking spaces, Wi-Fi-friendly cafés, and an atmosphere that inspires productivity and creativity.

Sliema. Located just across the bay from Valletta, Sliema is a popular destination for expats and digital nomads. It offers a vibrant atmosphere, seaside promenades, and many dining and entertainment options.

St Julian’s offers coastal vibes with a splash of nightlife. It’s packed with coworking options, global cuisine, and entertainment for every taste. Want to network, relax, or party after hours? This is your spot.

Gzira. For those who want calm without cutting off convenience, Gzira is ideal. It’s more laid-back than Sliema and St Julian’s, but you’re still close to all the action. Plus, accommodation here tends to be more budget-friendly.

St Paul’s Bay. If you’re after peace and scenic beauty, head to St Paul’s Bay. This northern town has a slower pace, making it easier to focus. It’s a favourite for nomads who want a balance between work and nature.

Mellieha. Located in the northwest, Mellieha gives you stunning sea views and a village feel. It’s perfect for deep work sessions followed by beach walks or hikes. If you’re drawn to nature and quiet, this one’s for you.

Gozo. While technically not a city in Malta, the island of Gozo, which is just a short ferry ride away, is another excellent option for digital nomads seeking a more rural and peaceful environment. It’s known for its natural beauty and slower way of life.

The cost of living in Malta is at least €800 per month per person, excluding rent. It is less than in Germany or Austria, but more than in Spain and Portugal.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Malta costs €1,000—1,500 per month. Rental prices in Gozo are 40% lower than the average in Malta: €600–900 per month.

Mobile connection in Malta is provided by three operators: Melita, Epic, and Go. They offer prepaid traffic packages, including via 5G networks. 

Cafes and restaurants use Wi-Fi with an average speed of 85 Mbit/s.

The average spending of digital nomads, according to the Residency Malta Agency, are the following:

• mobile connection — €20 per month;

• Internet — €30 per month;

• coworking — €30 per day;

• lunch — €15;

• cappuccino — €2.25.

Prevalence of the English language. The Maltese speak two official languages: Maltese and English. English is understood in a city cafe, a village shop, or an intercity bus.

There are international English language schools in Malta, which are chosen as an alternative to the British ones. The cost of education in Malta is lower, while students are immersed in an English-speaking environment in everyday life.

Malta has a mild Mediterranean climate with hot summers and rainy winters. The hottest months are July and August; the coldest are January and February. In summer, the temperature is +19…31°C; in winter, it is +9…17°C.

Most tourists come to Malta from June to August. The season with comfortable temperatures without an influx of tourists lasts from March to May and September to October.

Developed public transport. The dimensions of Malta are 27 by 12 km. The road from St Paul’s Bay on one end of the island to Marsaskala on the other takes 1 hour by car or 2 hours by bike.

In the central region around the capital, Valletta, cities flow into one another as metropolitan areas. For example, it is a half-an-hour walk from St Julian’s to the centre of Sliema.

Ferries operate through Valletta harbour on two routes: Sliema — Valletta and Valletta — “Three cities”. The ferry also runs between the islands of Gozo and Malta. The fare ranges from €1.5 to 7.5, depending on the route.

Public transport is well developed in Malta: buses run within and between the cities. The trip costs €2 during the day and €3 at night. If you use transport regularly, it is more profitable to buy a Tallinja Card — they are sold at electronic kiosks at bus stops.

1. If you’re a remote worker earning at least €3,500 per month from abroad, Malta could be your next work-from-anywhere destination.

2. With the Malta Digital Nomad Visa, you can live on this sunny island for up to 4 years. Just spend at least 5 months a year in Malta to keep renewing your permit.

3. Bringing your family? No problem — your spouse and kids can join you under the same application.

4. Once approved, you’ll enjoy visa-free travel across the Schengen Area, making weekend getaways to Europe effortless.

5. The application is simple and fully online, handled by the Residency Malta Agency. Once approved, you’ll travel to Malta using a Schengen visa or national visa D to collect your residence permit card in person.