Malta residence permit: 5 legal ways to get a residency card in 2025

Many wealthy non-Europeans want to become a resident in Malta for various reasons:

• opening an international business;
• freely travelling to Schengen countries;
• moving the whole family to a developed European country;
• having the option of leaving their original country quickly in the event of political or economic turmoil.

Getting a residence permit in Europe helps to achieve these goals. However, only a few European countries grant a residence permit quickly: Malta is amongst the few that do.

Here are 7 benefits of the Malta residence permit.

1. Visa-free travel to Schengen states. A Maltese residence permit allows the holder to visit other countries of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in 180.
2. Tax optimisation. Investors are not taxed on foreign income that is not transferred to Malta. There is also no inheritance tax or surcharge for the main applicant's spouse, children, or other relatives included in the application.
3. Access to international banking. Investors can use offices of international banks in Malta with a high level of financial security.
4. Investment opportunities. Tourism and real estate in Malta attract entrepreneurs from all over the world. Renting out real estate earns a return of 3—6% per year depending on property type and demand.
5. High-quality healthcare. Malta's healthcare system includes state and private facilities, with approximately 80% of residents using state services.
6. World-class education. Malta offers a strong, English-speaking education system with a blend of British and international standards. The country hosts several British and American private schools, as well as local institutions offering the International Baccalaureate and globally recognised university degrees.
7. Living in a warm climate. The average annual temperature is about 23°C during the day. The coldest month is January: temperatures range +12…20°C during the day.

There are two government-approved investment paths in Malta: for temporary permit and special tax status through the Global Residence Programme and for life-long status through the Permanent Residence Programme.

Temporary residency

To apply for a residence permit for the whole family, wealthy foreigners from third countries can participate in the Malta Global Residence Programme.

Individuals who are nationals of the EU, EEA or Switzerland and not permanent residents of Malta can participate in “The Residence Programme, TRP”.

The investor's spouse, children under 25 years old, siblings, parents, and grandparents can also get a residence permit in Malta. The main requirement is that all the family members in the application, apart from the spouse, are financially dependent on the principal applicant.

To qualify for Malta residence, the investor must meet the following conditions[1]:

1. Rent a property in Malta for €8,750—9,600 per annum. The amount depends on the region selected: the rent is lower on the island of Gozo and in the south of Malta. Alternatively, the investor can buy property in Malta worth at least €220,000.
2. Pay an administration fee of €5,500—6,000, depending on the property's region.
3. Obtain health insurance for all family members in the application.
4. Pay the minimum income tax of €15,000 a year.

Under the Global Residence Programme, obtaining a Malta residency permit involves a particular taxation system. It includes paying an annual income tax of 15% on income earned outside Malta and transferred to Malta or a minimum tax of €15,000. The tax rate of income earned in Malta is 35%.

Participants have to file an annual tax return. Also, the residence permit holder cannot spend more than 183 days per year in any other country except Malta. But there is no requirement to live in Malta.

Permanent residency 

Investors from non-EU countries may obtain a permanent residence permit under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. The application process takes at least 6 months.

Permanent residencу in Malta allows investors to live in the country for an unlimited time. Investors’ children can study in the best Maltese colleges without applying for a student residence permit. Holders of the status have access to Maltese medicine: in terms of healthcare quality, the country is among the top 20 countries in the world.

To participate in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, an investor must fulfil the following conditions:

1. Rent real estate in Malta for €14,000 per annum. Alternatively, the investor can buy property in Malta worth at least €375,000.
2. Pay an administration fee of €60,000 plus €7,500 per family member over 18 except for the spouse.
3. Pay a government fee of €37,000[2]. 
4. Obtain health insurance for all family members who participate in the programme.
5. Make a donation to the non-government organisation of €2,000. 
6. Confirm owning a capital of at least €500,000, of which €150,000 or more are financial assets, or €650,000, with at least €75,000 in liquid financial assets.

Malta permanent residency requirements for an investor:

• age over 18 years old;
• no criminal record or criminal prosecution;
• no visa denials to countries that have a visa waiver regime with Malta;
• ability to confirm the legality of the origin of the invested funds.

The applicant must have a registered address in Malta even after 5 years of obtaining permanent residence. An investor can buy or rent any real estate object without cost requirements.

To obtain the Malta permanent residence by investment, the applicant must address a licensed agent, such as Immigrant Invest. The Residency Malta Agency does not accept applications from individual investors.

Application process

The entire procedure, on average, takes at least 6 months. Investors undergo five main steps:

1. Preliminary Due Diligence. Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary due diligence check to identify any circumstances preventing the applicant from participation in the selected programme. Upon successful completion of the check, Immigrant Invest prepares a service agreement to provide further support.
2. Preparing documents. Immigrant Invest lawyers guide the applicant through collecting and certifying documents and arranging translations.
3. Submitting an application for Due Diligence. The step must be finalised within 6 months after obtaining residency. The application is submitted to the Residency Malta Agency, which reviews it in 90—180 days. After completion of the checks by the Agency, a Letter of Approval in Principle is issued.
4. Fulfilling investment conditions. Upon receiving the Letter of Approval in Principle, the applicant must fulfil the investment requirements within 8 months. Then, the Residency Malta Agency issues a certificate of permanent residence.
5. Submitting biometrics and getting permanent residence cards. The applicant and all dependants travel to Malta and visit the Residency Malta Agency’s office to submit biometrics; only infants up to the age of 2 are exempt. Once the biometrics are submitted, the application is sent to the residence department for card printing, which takes at least 4 weeks.

Required documents

Lawyers compile a list of documents tailored to each specific investor. It generally includes the following papers:

• passport copies;
• birth and marriage certificates;
• national ID cards, if applicable;
• bank statements for the last 6—12 months;
• proof of assets;
• source of wealth declaration and supporting evidence;
• police conduct certificates;
• declaration of no criminal investigations;
• health insurance;
• purchase or lease agreement meeting MPRP thresholds;
• other investment proofs;
• passport-size photos.

All non-English documents must be translated and apostilled.

Generally, highly qualified specialists in IT, pharmaceuticals and financial services are in demand. It's easier for them to find an employer in Malta who can offer a long-term contract.

Many leading international companies are based in Malta, for example, HSBC Bank, Medavia, Vodafone, and others. A residence permit for employment is issued jointly with a work permit, then it must be renewed annually, and its validity ends after the employment contract does.

There are two types of visas for those who come to work in Malta: the regular work visa and the EU Blue Card. The latter is issued to highly qualified specialists with a salary of 50% higher than the industry average.

The EU Blue Card requirements for the applicant:

• a valid employment contract for no less than one year;

• gets the minimum wage in Malta;

• for regulated professions: submit documents confirming compliance with the requirements of national law;

• for unregulated jobs: present documents confirming relevant higher professional skills;

• national or Schengen visa, residence permit;

• a certificate of medical insurance.

The EU Malta Blue Card is issued for at least one year. When extending the Blue Card, if the remaining term of the employment contract is less than one year, the EU Blue Card is given for the contract period plus three months.

There are support programs available for entrepreneurs in Malta. Malta has a stable economic climate and an attractive tax system with lower taxes than many other European countries.

The applicable corporate tax rate is 35%. Companies' shareholders can get a refund of the corporate tax. VAT in Malta is 18%. It's one of the lowest VAT rates in Europe. The Maltese tax system attracts business people worldwide to register their companies and get a residence permit.

However, businesses registered in Malta must meet reasonably high requirements for capital:

1. The minimum share capital of a Malta Public Limited Company is €46,588. Individuals must pay at least 25% of that capital when they form the company.
2. The minimum share capital of a Malta Private Limited Company is €1,165. Individuals must pay at least 20% of that capital when they form the company[3].

Foreigners living in Malta can apply for a long-term residence permit in Malta for their close family members. If the family members get a Maltese residence permit, they can apply for Maltese citizenship five years later.

Foreign spouses of Maltese citizens can also get a residence permit.

Students at schools and universities in Malta are issued a residence permit for one year with the right to extend it according to the duration of their studies.

To get a residency permit in Malta, a student shall provide a letter of admission from the higher education institution. It must include:

• the institution's details;

• course details;

• settlement regarding the course-related fees;

• accommodation provided by the institution;

• confirmation that the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the tuition language.

After graduation, these students have to look for a job in Malta to renew their residence permits. A new one will then be linked to their employment contract.

Alongside investment, employment, business, study, and family reunification, a Malta residence permit can also be issued under other grounds[4].

1. Malta Retirement Programme, MRP, applies to individuals who are not employed and receive most of their income from their pension.

2. United Nations Pensions Programme is open for people receiving a UN pension or a widow's or widower's benefit. At least 40% of it must be received in Malta.

3. Residence permit for volunteers is for third-country nationals engaged in voluntary service under an EU-recognised mobility programme or other non-profit solidarity activities in Malta.

4. Malta residence permit for training and internship for people participating in vocational traineeship or internship or practical training in Malta and have an agreement with a Maltese-based entity or institution that will supervise your programme of theoretical and practical learning.

5. Malta residence permit for a self-sufficient person is for those whose income comes from outside Malta.

6. Malta Nomad Residence Permit is granted to foreign remote workers a monthly income of at least €3,500 outside Malta.

If a person doesn't plan to get a Maltese residence permit, they can live in Malta for up to three months with a document, which may be considered a Malta temporary residence permit. Depending on the nationality, a person will need to have a visa, a foreign passport, or an ID card to enter Malta.

If visa is required

People from 150 countries must apply for a visa to enter Malta. They will receive a Schengen C visa that allows them to spend up to 90 days within the 180-day period in Malta or another Schengen country.

To get a Malta visa, an individual must apply for it through a visa application centre or an embassy.

The process is the following:

1. Fill in and print the application form.
2. Bring the application and other required documents to a visa application centre or an embassy.
3. Pay the applicable fee.

If visa is not required

People from around 90 countries can enter Malta visa-free. This amount includes nationals of Schengen and EU countries, the US, Canada, and others. The duration of stay depends on a visitor's country of citizenship or residence.

Nationals of the Schengen countries can enter Malta with their ID card only. Others need to provide a passport.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System

Starting from October 2025, the European Union launches the Entry/Exit System, EES, for all non-EU travellers. The new system replaces passport stamps with biometric registration at borders. The ETIAS electronic travel authorisation will become mandatory for visa-free nationals in 2026[5].

The authorisation is valid for three years and allows you to enter Malta and other Schengen countries multiple times.

The passport that is used for the registration must be valid three months after the trip.

Applications for a Maltese residence permit — whether for work, study, family reunification, or investment — may be refused or revoked if an applicant fails to meet the legal, financial, or reputational requirements set by the Maltese authorities.

Most common grounds

Criminal background or ongoing investigation. Applicants with convictions or pending charges for serious crimes such as money laundering, corruption, terrorism, or tax evasion are automatically disqualified.

False or incomplete information. Any attempt to misrepresent identity, financial data, or family composition results in immediate refusal and possible entry ban.

Unclear or unverifiable source of funds. Applicants must prove that all declared assets and investments come from lawful, traceable sources. Unexplained wealth or funds from high-risk jurisdictions may trigger rejection.

Security or reputational risks. Links to sanctioned entities, politically exposed persons with corruption records, or activities that may harm Malta’s or the EU’s reputation can lead to refusal.

Failure to meet programme or financial conditions. Missing required investments, insufficient assets, unpaid fees, or lack of valid health insurance are common administrative reasons for rejection.

Post-approval breaches. Residence status may be revoked if the holder later violates programme terms, sells property too early, fails to renew insurance, or becomes a reputational concern.

Role of Due Diligence

In Malta’s investment-based residence programmes, such as the Malta Permanent Residence Programme and the Global Residence Programme, Due Diligence is one of the core stages leading to approval.

Every application is examined through several layers of verification to confirm the applicant’s integrity, financial reliability, and compliance with Anti-Money Laundering standards. The process includes independent background checks by the Residency Malta Agency, financial screening through international databases, such as Interpol and Europol, and, where relevant, review by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit.

This system not only protects Malta’s reputation but also benefits investors: passing Due Diligence demonstrates financial transparency and good standing, which strengthens credibility when opening bank accounts, investing, or relocating within the EU.

Malta's tax system distinguishes between tax residence and legal residence. Holding a residence permit, except for the permit granted under the MGRP, does not automatically make you a tax resident. Tax obligations depend on the type of residence, length of stay, and whether the individual is domiciled in Malta[6].

Taxes for ordinary residence holders

Foreigners who live in Malta for more than 183 days a year are considered tax residents. They are taxed on income earned in Malta and on foreign income remitted to Malta. Foreign income that remains abroad is not taxed, and foreign capital gains are exempt even if transferred.

The tax rate is progressive and can reach 35%:

• up to €9,100 — 0%;
• €9,101 to 14,500 — 15%;
• €14,501 to 60,000 — 25%;
• over €60,000 — 35%.

Holders of investment-based residence

Both investment routes allow applicants to live in Malta without the need to work locally, but they differ in tax treatment.

The MPRP provides permanent residence but does not confer automatic tax residency. Holders may apply for tax residency if they spend over 183 days in Malta or establish their centre of vital interests there. In that case, they are taxed on income earned in Malta and foreign income remitted to Malta at progressive rates of up to 35%.

Foreign income not remitted to Malta and foreign capital gains, even if remitted, are exempt from taxation.

The MGRP is designed for individuals seeking a tax-optimised residence status. Participants are taxed at a flat rate of 15% on foreign income remitted to Malta, with a minimum annual tax of €15,000, covering both the applicant and dependants. Income earned in Malta is taxed separately at standard rates of up to 35%.

Non-tax-resident permit holders

Holders of residence permits spending less than 183 days per year in Malta, are not considered tax residents. They pay tax only on income sourced in Malta, such as local employment or rent, if any.

Non-personal-income taxes

The corporate income tax rate in Malta is 35%, but under the shareholder refund system the effective tax burden is typically 5—10%. Refunds are paid to shareholders after the distribution of profits, depending on the type of income.

Shareholders can receive dividends without double taxation, and there is no withholding tax on dividends, interest, or royalties paid to non-residents.

The Value Added Tax applies to most goods and services purchased or consumed in Malta — so it affects everyone, including non-residents, tourists, and companies. The standard VAT rate in Malta is 18%, one of the lowest in the European Union. Reduced rates apply to specific goods and services:

• 7% for accommodation;
• 5% for utilities, books, and cultural services;
• 0% for exports and intra-EU supplies.

Malta imposes no wealth, inheritance, or gift taxes, whether or not a person is a resident.

The only transaction-based tax is stamp duty: 5% on real estate transfers and 2% on transfers of shares in Maltese companies under the Duty on Documents and Transfers Act. The rate may rise to 5% if the company’s main assets are immovable property in Malta. Reduced or exempt rates may apply to family business transfers or intra-group reorganisations.

1. There are at least 10 ways to obtain a Malta residence permit. The most streamlined option is participating in the Malta Global Residence Programme.
2. Getting a residence permit in Malta as an investor requires renting or buying real estate in the country, as well as paying necessary fees and taxes. To apply for permanent residency, investors also make a donation and demonstrate capital of at least €500,000.
3. Malta grants residence permits to foreign specialists, students, entrepreneurs, and family members of residents. 
4. Non-Europeans often choose Malta for its quick residence permit process. Obtaining a residence permit for investors takes at least 3 months. Permanent residence may be granted within 6 months.
5. A Malta residence permit offers visa-free travel to the Schengen countries, tax optimisation, and family relocation opportunities. It also provides a secure option during political or economic instability in the applicant's home country.

1. Source: Malta GRP Guidance Notes confirms 15% regime, €15k minimum tax, and qualifying property levels
2. Source: Legal Notice 146 of 2025 updates required fees
3. Source: Malta Business Registry confirms minimum share capital and paid-up amounts for companies
4. Source: The Expatriates Unit handles legal migration processes in Malta
5. Source: EES launch timeline: phased in from October 12th, 2025, fully operational by April 10th, 2026
6. Source: Malta Tax and Customs Administration: taxation legislations