Malta Permanent Residency

​Frequently asked questions

• Can foreigners get PR in Malta?

  Yes, foreign nationals can obtain a permanent residence permit in Malta. This can be achieved by living in Malta for more than 5 years or by participating in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, MPRP.

  Non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals may apply for a PR permit under the MPRP. Applicants must be over 18, have no criminal record, prosecution, or visa denial, and not be subject to sanctions. Applicants must also demonstrate ownership of assets worth at least €500,000, including €150,000 in liquid financial assets, or at least €650,000, including €75,000 in liquid financial assets.

  The investor’s spouse, unmarried children under 29, parents, and grandparents are also eligible to apply.

• How long does it take to get Malta PR?

  The timeframe varies depending on several factors, such as the time required to prepare documents, secure a property to rent or purchase, and meet other investment requirements.

  Once the documents are submitted, the application process takes at least 6 months. Additional time may be required for final approval and the issuance of residence cards.

• Who can participate in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?

  Adult investors aged 18 or older can participate if they meet the following criteria:

  • proven legal income;

  • no criminal record;

  • no prior visa refusals from countries with a visa-waiver agreement with Malta;

  • assets of at least €500,000, including liquid financial assets of €150,000, or at least €650,000, including liquid financial assets of €75,000.

  Family members of investors can also obtain permanent residence under the programme. Eligible family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried children under 29, and parents or grandparents. Unmarried children over the age of 18, as well as parents and grandparents, must be principally dependent on the investor.

• How much and what to invest to obtain Malta permanent residence?

  The investor must fulfil several investment requirements:

  • €60,000+ as the administrative fee;

  • €14,000+ per year for renting real estate for five years, or €375,000+ for purchasing property in Malta;

  • €37,000+ as the contribution fee;

  • €2,000 for a donation to a charitable organisation.

  If the investor rents a property for 5 years, the total minimum expenses will amount to at least €169,000. If purchasing a property, the minimum total investment will be at least €474,000.

  The terms and requirements for applicants are stipulated in Regulations S.L. 217.26 of 2021, Legal Notice No. 310 of 2024, and Legal Notice No. 146 of 2025.

• Is it possible to return the investments?

  If the investor purchases real estate to participate in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, they can sell it after 5 years and recover the investment.

  Rental payments, administrative fees, contribution fees, and charitable donations are non-refundable expenses.

• Is it possible to get Malta permanent residence for a new spouse, children or grandchildren?

  Yes, it is. The following family members can be added to the programme at a later stage:

  • spouse,

  • children,

  • grandchildren,

  • daughters-in-law and sons-in-law,

  • parents,

  • grandparents.

  The applicable fee is €7,500 per family member.

• Do you guarantee that I will get permanent residence?

  No one can guarantee that you will obtain permanent residence in Malta. If a company guarantees success, it is likely a scam.

  Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary Due Diligence check to increase your chances of getting permanent residence. A certified Anti-Money Laundering Officer reviews the investor’s documents and searches international databases. This process helps identify any issues in the investor’s background that could result in rejection.

  If any issues are discovered, we provide a solution, such as submitting additional documents or selecting an alternative programme. In our experience, this preliminary check reduces the risk of rejection to 1%.

• How do I maintain permanent residence in Malta?

  The Residency Malta Agency checks whether the investor meets the programme conditions annually during the first 5 years. To pass the check, investors must retain the required amount of assets and maintain the purchased property or continue renting a property for at least €14,000 per year.

  Investors can sell the property and dispose of the assets 5 years after obtaining permanent residence. However, they must still have a registered address in Malta to maintain their permanent resident status. To fulfill this requirement, another property can be rented or purchased without specific price requirements.

• Can I work or run a business in Malta once I hold permanent residence through the MPRP?

  The MPRP certificate itself does not confer an automatic right to employment[6]. You must first obtain an Employment Licence, work permit, from Jobsplus or, if you wish to be self‑employed, register a company and secure the relevant authorisations.

• Do I need to live in Malta for a certain number of days each year to keep my permanent residence?

  No. The MPRP imposes no minimum stay. You retain the status remotely as long as you keep the required property and asset thresholds.

  Physical presence matters only for tax purposes: you become a Maltese tax resident after spending more than 183 days in the country within one calendar year.

• How long must I keep my qualifying property or rental, and can I change it later?

  You must hold the qualifying rental agreement or owned property for at least 5 years after approval. After that period you may sell or cease renting, provided you immediately buy or rent another home in Malta so that a residential address is always maintained.

• Can people from all countries apply for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?

  The MPRP is open to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals except those whose countries are under international sanctions or restricted by the Maltese authorities. 

  Nationals of the following countries cannot apply:

  • Afghanistan, 

  • Belarus,

  • Democratic Republic of Congo, 

  • Iran, 

  • North Korea, 

  • Russia

  • Somalia, 

  • Sudan,

  • Syria, 

  • Venezuela, 

  • Yemen.

• Will I automatically become a Maltese tax resident after receiving permanent residence?

  No. Tax residence is established separately. 

  You become a tax resident only if you spend more than 183 days in Malta in a tax year or transfer your centre of vital interests to the country. Permanent residence itself provides no special tax breaks; income is taxed under the ordinary Maltese rules.