Last reviewed on April 26, 2024
Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Residency for freelancers and remote workers to work and live by the Mediterranean Sea
€3,500+
Monthly applicant’s income
5+ months
Obtaining period
4 years
Allowed period of stay in Malta
What is a Malta Digital Nomad Visa, or a Malta Nomad Residence Permit?
The Malta Nomad Residence Permit, also called the Malta Digital Nomad Visa, is a residence permit for foreign remote workers. It gives the right to stay in the country for up to 4 years.
Employees and the management of foreign companies, freelancers, and self-employed can qualify. The primary condition for employed applicants is that they must not work for a Maltese company.
The Nomad Residence Permit can only be obtained by foreigners from non-EU and non-EEA countries.
To get a Nomad Residence Permit, applicants confirm a monthly income of at least €3,500 outside Malta.
Initially, a Nomad Residence Permit is issued for 12 months. It can be extended for an additional year three times.
To obtain a Malta residence permit, applicants must buy or rent housing for the entire permit validity period.
Digital nomads are not entitled to permanent residency and citizenship in Malta.
9 benefits of the Malta Nomad Residence Permit
1
Moving to Malta
Digital nomads can relocate with their families and work remotely from Malta, one of the first EU countries to launch 5G mobile Internet. The island's quality of life is comparable to Germany's and Spain's.
Digital nomads can relocate with their families and work remotely from Malta, one of the first EU countries to launch 5G mobile Internet. The island's quality of life is comparable to Germany's and Spain's.
2
Creating a safe haven in a European country
The digital nomad can live in Malta until their residence permit is valid, which is 4 years at maximum. They must spend at least 5 months per year in the country to maintain their status.
The digital nomad can live in Malta until their residence permit is valid, which is 4 years at maximum. They must spend at least 5 months per year in the country to maintain their status.
3
Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area
The Malta residence permit gives the right to enter other states of the Schengen Area and spend up to 90 days out of 180.
The Malta residence permit gives the right to enter other states of the Schengen Area and spend up to 90 days out of 180.
4
Getting a European education
The digital nomad and their family can study in Malta. For example, there are many language schools where native English speakers work. Also, there are different programs and language camping for children in Malta.
The digital nomad and their family can study in Malta. For example, there are many language schools where native English speakers work. Also, there are different programs and language camping for children in Malta.
5
Access to high-quality medicine
Nomad Residence Permit holders can seek treatment in Maltese clinics recognised as one of the best in the world. The entire healthcare system of Malta is ranked 5th by the World Health Organisation.
Besides, they can use healthcare services in other countries of the Schengen Area, given that the trip will last less than 90 days.
Nomad Residence Permit holders can seek treatment in Maltese clinics recognised as one of the best in the world. The entire healthcare system of Malta is ranked 5th by the World Health Organisation.
Besides, they can use healthcare services in other countries of the Schengen Area, given that the trip will last less than 90 days.
6
Tax optimisation
Digital nomads do not pay taxes on foreign income in Malta, while other residents pay a progressive global income tax of 0 to 35%.
Digital nomads do not pay taxes on foreign income in Malta, while other residents pay a progressive global income tax of 0 to 35%.
7
Friendly language environment
English is one of the official languages in Malta, and 88% of locals use it in daily communications. This means that a digital nomad is unlikely to have language-related issues while residing in the country.
English is one of the official languages in Malta, and 88% of locals use it in daily communications. This means that a digital nomad is unlikely to have language-related issues while residing in the country.
8
Wide expat community
According to recent statistics, about 22% of foreign nationals live in Malta. Newcomers can get support and advice from other expats and adapt to a new country more easily.
According to recent statistics, about 22% of foreign nationals live in Malta. Newcomers can get support and advice from other expats and adapt to a new country more easily.
9
Plenty of options for an active or relaxed lifestyle
Malta offers wide opportunities for recreation. Those who live on the island can choose from outdoor activities close to nature, such as hiking, scuba diving, kayaking, or snorkelling, or enjoy social events thanks to numerous bars, cafes, and nightclubs.
Those seeking a more relaxed and peaceful lifestyle can enjoy the tranquillity of the rural part of the south of Malta and on the island of Gozo.
Malta offers wide opportunities for recreation. Those who live on the island can choose from outdoor activities close to nature, such as hiking, scuba diving, kayaking, or snorkelling, or enjoy social events thanks to numerous bars, cafes, and nightclubs.
Those seeking a more relaxed and peaceful lifestyle can enjoy the tranquillity of the rural part of the south of Malta and on the island of Gozo.
Practical guide on the Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Step-by-step procedure
Requirements for applicants
Required documents
Answers to frequently asked questions
Who can get a Malta Nomad Residence Permit?
Сosts of obtaining a Malta Nomad Residence Permit
The Malta Digital Nomad Visa costs include residential property rental or purchase expenses and associated fees.
The average apartment rental in Malta is €1,000—1,500 per month. The cost depends on the number of rooms and the location of the real estate. For example, the rental cost for a family of 3 starts from €1,050 per month.
Individual cost calculation for a Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
We will send the cost calculation to your email within 1 hour
Real estate and income requirements
The digital nomad purchases or rents residential property in the country to get a Malta Nomad Residence Permit.
When applying, it is sufficient to confirm a temporary address, for example, provide a hotel booking for 1 month. When the application is approved, the applicant should buy or rent a property for the entire validity period of a residence permit, which is 12 months.
The monthly income of the Digital Nomad Visa applicant is at least €3,500. This amount does not increase if the main applicant obtains the visa with their family.
To confirm the income, an applicant can provide a bank statement, either an electronic one downloaded at the bank app or a hard copy with a stamp obtained in a bank office. One cannot provide screenshots of websites or bank apps to confirm the income.
If a digital nomad is an employee of a foreign company, they provide an employment agreement concluded for at least 1 year. The yearly income under the employment agreement must equal or exceed €42,000.
Real estate in Malta
Malta, St Julian's
94 m² — 116 m²
2 
2 
Required documents to get a Malta Nomad Residence Permit
To apply for a Malta Digital Nomad Visa, one should prepare the following pack of documents:
filled-in forms for the main applicant and family members;
a motivation letter explaining why the applicant wants to move to Malta and get a residence permit;
copies of all pages of an international passport for each applicant;
for employees — a work contract proving the remote work;
for freelancers — a contract for remote services;
for entrepreneurs and managing partners of foreign companies — documents proving job responsibilities and having a share in the company;
a CV or an autobiography that includes educational and work background;
a 3-month bank statement proving an income of at least €3,500;
a bank statement proving savings of at least €17,500 to live in Malta for 5 months after application — recommended but not mandatory;
a marriage certificate;
birth certificates for children;
a notarized confirmation of financial dependency for children over 18.
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Malta Nomad Residence Permit
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary check of a digital nomad before concluding a Services Agreement.
A certified Anti-Money Laundering Officer checks information on the applicant in international legal and business databases. The check helps discover possible issues that may affect obtaining a Malta residence permit and reduce the risk of refusal.
The Preliminary Due Diligence takes 1 business day and is fully confidential.
Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a residence permit
7+ business days
Document preparation
The applicant prepares the required pack of documents, and the lawyers fill in government forms.
1+ week
Applying and paying a fee
A Nomad Residence Permit application and documents can be submitted online via the Residency Malta Agency website. Immigrant Invest lawyers help collect, prepare, and upload the documents.
The Agency charges €300 per person as an application processing fee.
Up to 30 business days
Preliminary approval
The Residency Malta Agency checks the applicant: evaluates the income level and possible risks. The application can be refused if the digital nomad has a criminal record, Schengen visa refusals, or a travel ban to one of the Schengen Area states. However, the reason for refusal is not revealed.
The Residency Malta Agency informs about the decision online. In case of refusal, a new application can be submitted after 1 year.
2 to 3 weeks
Trip to Malta
Upon coming to Malta, the digital nomad notifies the Residency Malta Agency that they are ready to submit biometrics and apply for a residency card. The residency card issuance fee is €27.5 per person.
Up to 30 days
Confirmation of address in Malta and purchase of health insurance
To apply for the Malta Digital Nomad Visa, booking a hotel or an apartment is sufficient. One can do this online and provide booking confirmation.
When a residence permit is approved, the applicant rents or buys property for the entire validity period of the residency card, which is 12 months.
Health insurance must be purchased for all the family members included in the application. The coverage amount should be at least €30,000 per person.
2—3 weeks
Getting a residence permit card
The applicant receives an email notification stating when and how to get their residence permit cards. The cards should be received in person at the address indicated in the email.
1+ month
Extending the Malta residence permit
To extend the residence permit for another 12 months, the digital nomad has to spend at least 5 months in Malta.
For the second and third residence permit extension, one should prove living in Malta for 5 months.
Why trust in Immigrant Invest?
Immigrant Invest is a licenced agent that works only with government programs in the EU and the Caribbean under licence from the respective governments.
We have been working since 2006 and know everything about the industry: the nuances of laws in each foreign jurisdiction, how Due Diligence is carried out, and the best ways to solve the issues.
Immigrant Invest has an in-house Compliance Department. It conducts a preliminary Due Diligence check of each applicant. Such a check allows reducing the risk of refusal of a visa and residence permit to 1%.
