Malta residence permit: how to get RP?

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 at least 5% per annum.

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. Many British and American schools and universities' branches are situated in Malta. In addition, residents of Malta can get an education in public universities for free.

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.

Malta residence permit. 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. 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.

Individual cost calculation for residence by investment in Malta

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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.

Explore the benefits and requirements of the Maltese investment programme

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 €50,000.

3. Pay a government fee of €30,000 in case if you purchase a property or €60,000 if you rent it.

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 five years of obtaining permanent residence. An investor can buy or rent any real estate object without cost requirements.

Individual cost calculation for permanent residence in Malta

Get the cost calculation

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.

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.

Amir, 47 years old

Car dealership owner

Malta residence permit for living, working and studying in the country

In December 2020, Amir, his wife Amina, and their son Nursultan were granted a Maltese residence permit. The family moved to Malta. At the end of 2021, Immigrant Invest lawyers helped them extend their residency.

In the first year, Amina was retrained in her speciality, and now she will lecture at the University of Malta. Nursultan will start studying at a school which is a part of a British college.

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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.

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 25% of that capital when they form the company.

A Malta residence permit can also be issued under particular circumstances.

Suppose a person has lived with a Maltese residence permit holder, permanent residence or citizenship for two or more years without registering their relationship. In that case, they can also obtain a residence permit in Malta. Proof of cohabitation and your or your partner’s ability to cover your living costs will be required.

Residence permits are also issued for religious, medical and humanitarian purposes.

1. The Global Residence Programme (GRP) is for nationals of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. To qualify, an investor needs to rent or buy a home in Malta and pay taxes in the country. The minimum annual amount of taxes on income outside Malta is €15,000.

2. The Residence Programme (TRP) is for the EU, EEA, and Switzerland nationals. Real estate requirements are the same as in the Global Residence Programme.

3. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is open for third-country nationals, excluding EU, EEA, and Switzerland, and allows them to get permanent residence permits by investment.

4. The Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) applies to individuals who are not employed and receive most of their income from their pension.

5. The 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.

6. Residence permits for education and training can be obtained by those who come to Malta to study or undertake training.

7. Residence permits for employment are applicable to the people who are employed by a company in Malta.

8. Residence permits for family reunification are open for family members of people who already hold resident permits or citizenship of Malta.

9. Residence permits for entrepreneurs can be obtained by individuals who plan to run a business in Malta.

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

The fastest and easiest path to getting a residence permit in Malta is participating in a program for wealthy foreigners — the Global Residence Program.

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.

Visa 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.

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 2022, nationals who belong to visa-free countries outside the Schengen area can register in ETIAS. This allows them to enter Malta and other member states.

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.

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, 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.