From legal shadows to lasting residency: a path to Malta for the Algerian family

At 47, Yacine had spent two decades carving out a space for himself in Algeria’s competitive business world. But for all his professional accomplishments, a part of him longed for more than just stability. He wanted freedom, security, and above all, opportunity for his children.

Lina, 20, was adrift. Bright and thoughtful, she dreamed of studying fashion in Europe, but visa restrictions and the uncertainty of long-term residence limited her options. 16-year-old Karim still had time, but Yacine and Malika knew how quickly those years would pass.

But there was a dilemma. Yacine couldn’t relocate immediately. He runs a mid-sized logistics company with operations across North Africa, and his presence in Algiers remained crucial for contract negotiations and partner management.

Any solution had to allow flexibility for the family and stability for the business. That’s when the couple began to explore investment-based residency options.

Of all the options across Europe, Malta and its Permanent Residence Programme stood out, not just for its Mediterranean charm but especially for its low investment threshold of €169,000. It proved to be one the most affordable routes in Europe through real estate.

In comparison, countries like Greece and Latvia require a minimum property investment of €250,000, while Cyprus sets the bar even higher at €300,000 — amounts that were beyond Yacin’s budget.

Yacin briefly considered Malta’s Global Residence Programme, which required just €30,000 in investment. But there was a catch: he’d have to become a Maltese tax resident and spend fewer than 183 days in any other country. Since he planned to live mostly in Algeria, this ruled it out.

That’s why the Malta Permanent Residency Programme became the ideal solution.

There were other benefits of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme:

• lifetime status — investors don’t need to renew or resubmit applications, residency is permanent;

• family-friendly — a single application covers spouses, dependent children, and offers access to world-class education;

• safety and lifestyle — Malta is a peaceful and expat-friendly island with excellent healthcare and schooling.

In the end, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme offered not just a residence permit but a new chapter, one Yacin and his family could start on their terms. But as with many real journeys, the path was not without obstacles.

Yacine was a man of careful planning. But the past, even long-forgotten parts, has a way of resurfacing.

“It was nothing. A mistake from my youth, a fine for public disturbance, ” he said quietly. “But when you’re applying for residency, nothing is nothing.”

That minor offence from over 20 years ago would need to be disclosed and explained. Worse, one of his old companies had gone bankrupt back in 2010. Though it was long resolved, any unresolved liabilities would pose a risk to the application.

And then there was Lina. As a young adult not currently in education or work, her financial dependency on her parents needed to be fully documented, something most governments scrutinise closely.

From the first meeting, Yacine was genuinely impressed.

“They didn’t just say, ‘Yes, we’ll take care of it, ’” he said. “They showed us exactly how they would do it. Every step had a purpose.”

Lawyers took a surgical approach to the application:

1. The offence was clearly detailed in the official documentation and classified as minor and non-repetitive, making it irrelevant to the application.

2. Business bankruptcy was handled with legal precision. Immigrant Invest sourced and translated financial closure records to confirm there were no remaining debts.

3. Lina’s status was proven through notarised dependency declarations and a comprehensive family dossier, which met Malta’s rigorous requirements.

The Immigrant Invest team coordinated every document, liaised with Maltese authorities, and prepared a flawless application package. All while Yacine remained fully engaged with his business in Algeria.

“I don’t know how we would have done it without them, ” Malika said. “It felt like we were crossing a tightrope, but they built the safety net beneath us.”

Today, with their Malta permanent residency, the family splits their time between Algiers and Malta. 

Lina has enrolled in a preparatory course in Europe. Karim is thriving in an international school, already dreaming about a future in architecture. Malika, once so anxious about the process, now looks forward to lazy weekends in Valletta’s sun-drenched cafés. Most importantly, they feel free.

“Now we can also travel like Europeans, ” Malika said softly. “No paperwork. No delays. Just freedom.”

With visa-free access to 29 European countries, the family can travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Lina can attend university interviews and open days in different cities, Yacine can explore new business opportunities, and the whole family can enjoy spontaneous getaways together.

“We didn’t just gain a residency, ” Yacine said. “We gained peace of mind.” And behind that peace stood a team of experts who navigated the bureaucracy, the legal knots, and the emotional weight, so that a family could turn a dream into a living, breathing reality.

You too can take the first step towards your own new beginning in Malta or beyond, with guidance and support every step of the way.