Malta Permanent
Residence
Programme
Living and travelling visa-free in Europe
Download the guide Calculate the cost4—6 months Application processing time
90 out of 180 days Visa-free stay in the
Schengen Area
Schengen Area
Third-country nationals — non-EU, non-EEa and non-Swiss — can participate in the Malta Permanent Residence Program. Investors obtain permanent residency in Malta, which allows them to live in the country and visit the Schengen Area for 90 days in 180. Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the program.
Applicants fulfil several investment conditions. They buy or rent real estate, pay government fees and make donations. They also confirm that they have assets of at least €500,000, where €150,000 are liquid financial assets.
Malta permanent residence is granted for life. However, the permanent residence card must be renewed every five years, much less frequently than temporary residence permits.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme was launched in 2015. In 2021, the rules were updated. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, L.N. 121 of 2021, provide the new terms and conditions.
Benefits of Malta
permanent residence
Visa-free travel to the Schengen countries
Maltese permanent residents can visit other Schengen countries without visas. The visa-free stay is up to 90 out of 180 days.
Living, working and doing business
in Malta
Investors get permanent residence valid for life. They can move to Malta, register a company, find a job and become a tax resident of the country.
Access to European healthcare
and education
Maltese permanent residents don’t need visas for medical treatment in Maltese clinics or study in local schools and universities. They can also access clinics and educational institutions in other Schengen countries: a visa-free visit can last for up to 90 days.
“Safe haven” in Malta
Investors aren’t obliged to live in Malta to get or maintain a permanent residence. They can create a safe haven: buy or rent housing and open a bank account to transfer capital in the country. If there are any issues in the country of residence, investors can quickly move to Malta with their families.
An opportunity to become Malta’s tax resident
If an investor spends 183+ days a year in Malta, they can become a tax resident. The country’s tax system may be attractive compared to some other states. However, getting a PR permit doesn’t lead to any incentives in Malta — investors pay taxes according to general rules.
A convenient path to residency
Applicants mustn’t pass any language tests or live in Malta for several years to apply for permanent residence.
Permanent residence for 4 generations of a family
Investors’ spouses, children, parents and grandparents can be included in the applications.
Get maximum information about the process
- Step-by-step procedure
- Requirements for applicants
- List of documents
- Answers to frequently asked questions
PDF, 36 pages, 12 MB
(License № AKM‑IMIN)
Who can get Malta
permanent residence
Investor
- Over 18 years old
- No criminal record or prosecution
- Not under sanctions
- No visa denials in countries that have a visa-free regime with Malta
- Capable of confirming the legality of the income
- Available assets of at least €500,000, including €150,000 as liquid financial assets
- Medical insurance
Spouse
In officially registered marriage or unregistered partnership with the investor
Children under 18
Children over 18
- Unmarried
- Principally dependent on the investor or the spouse
Parents and grandparents
Principally dependent on the investor or the spouse
Expenses for obtaining
Malta permanent
residence
Investors fulfil several investment conditions. They buy or rent a residential property, pay administrative and state fees, and donate to a Maltese organisation. All the requirements are mandatory; the only choice is renting or purchasing real estate.
The main applicant must have at least €500,000 in available assets, including at least €150,000 of liquid financial assets, such as deposits, stocks or bonds. The investor confirms ownership of these assets every year during the first five years after getting permanent residence.
1 option
Renting real estate
€150,000+The investor pays government fees, donates to a charitable organisation and rents a residential property in Malta for five years.
The minimum rental price depends on the region:
€10,000+ per annum — in the south of Malta and on the island of Gozo;
€12,000+ per annum — in the north or centre of Malta.
| Investor | Family of 2 or more people |
|
| Renting real estate in the south of Malta or on the island of Gozo for five years | €50,000+ | €50,000+ |
| Renting real estate in the north or centre of Malta for five years | €60,000+ | €60,000+ |
| Administrative fee | €40,000 | €40,000 |
| Contribution fee | €58,000 |
€58,000 + €7,500 per parent or |
| Charitable donation | €2,000 | €2,000 |
| Additional expenses that are not regulated by the Maltese legislation | ||
| Translation and apostille of documents, notary fees | €4,000 | €4,000+ |
| Medical insurance | €400 | €800+ |
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2 option
Purchasing real estate
€370,000+The investor pays government fees, makes a donation to a charitable organisation and buys residential property in Malta.
The minimum property price depends on the real estate location:
€300,000+ — in the south of Malta and on the island of Gozo;
€350,000+ — in the north or centre of Malta.
The investor must own the property for at least five years after obtaining permanent residence. After five years, they can sell it and return a part of the invested money.
| Investor | Family of 2 or more people |
|
| Purchasing real estate in the south of Malta or on the island of Gozo |
€300,000+ | €300,000+ |
| Purchasing real estate in the north or centre of Malta |
€350,000+ | €350,000+ |
| Administration fee | €40,000 | €40,000 |
| Contribution fee | €28,000 |
€28,000 + €7,500 per parent or |
| Charitable donation | €2,000 | €2,000 |
| Additional expenses that are not regulated by the Maltese legislation | ||
| Translation and apostille of documents, notary services | €4,000 | €4,000+ |
| Medical insurance | €400 | at least €800+ |
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Expenses for a family of 4
The spouses, a child and the investor’s father
| Renting a housing for 5 years in the south of Malta or Gozo |
Renting a housing for 5 years in the north or centre of Malta |
Purchasing a housing in the south of Malta or Gozo | Purchasing a housing in the north or centre of Malta | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate | €50,000+ | €60,000+ | €300,000+ | €350,000+ |
| Administration fee | €40,000 | €40,000 | €40,000 | €40,000 |
| Contribution fee | €65,500 | €65,500 | €35,500 | €35,500 |
| Charitable donation | €2,000 | €2,000 | €2,000 | €2,000 |
| Total | €157,500 | €167,500 | €377,500 | €427,500 |
Individual
cost calculation
for Malta permanent residence
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Get the cost calculationWe will send you a quote by email within 1 hour.
Real estate qualifying for
the Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Malta, Sliema
€740,000+
Apartments in a new residential complex near the sea
176+ m²
2—3
2
Malta, Saint Julian's
€740,000
An apartment with a private pool and a sea view
222 m²
3
2
Malta, Kalkara
€350,000+
Apartments in a large residential complex on the first coastline
77+ m²
1—3
1—3
Selection of real estate
Individual selection of properties for investment
- Discuss your tasks and goals
- Choose between properties from reliable developers
- Get fully prepared and verified documents for a purchase
Natalia Oganesyan, Real Estate Chief Operations Officer, RICS certified professional
Why is the agent's licence important?
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, L.N. 121 of 2021, don’t allow investors to apply for permanent residence directly. A licensed agent accredited by the Government of Malta is a guarantor that the investor meets the programme conditions. The licensed agent assists the investor at every programme stage, from preparing documents to receiving a permanent residence card.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
Step-by-step procedure
for obtaining Malta permanent residence
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence 
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Due Diligence is a mandatory step in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. Its results define whether the investor will get the status or not.
A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer conducts a preliminary Due Diligence check to avoid application rejection or any other issues in the future. They look for information about the investor in the same databases that the Residency Malta Agency use.
The check is confidential and is completed in one working day.
Immigrant Invest has its own Compliance Department. Its preliminary Due Diligence reduces the rejection risk to 1%.
Evaluate your chancesEvaluate your chances of passing Due Diligence
Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a second citizenship
4-5 weeks
Collection of documents and application
4-5 weeks
Collection of documents
and application
Immigrant Invest lawyers compile a list of required documents and help the investor prepare them. The lawyers compile the investor’s welfare history, translate documents into English, certify copies through a notary and correctly fill out application forms.
The lawyers apply to the Residency Malta Agency when the documents are ready. At this stage, the main applicant pays a non-refundable administration fee of €10,000.
4—6 months
Due Diligence 
4—6 months
Due Diligence
The Residency Malta Agency conducts Due Diligence. Sometimes, the agency asks for additional information, for example, about the investor’s business and finances. In such cases, Immigrant Invest lawyers prepare the documents and answers, approve with the investor and submit them to the agency.
Due Diligence takes at least four months. In our experience, it usually takes six to eight months.
Up to 8 months
Fulfilment of the investment conditions
Up to 8 months
Fulfilment of the investment
conditions
The Residency Malta Agency sends a notice of approval to Immigrant Invest. As soon as the approval is received, the applicant must fulfil the investment conditions within the stated period.
The remaining €30,000 of the administration fee is payable within two months from the approval date. Payment of the contribution fee, making a donation, and renting or purchasing property can take up to eight months.
At the same time, the applicant gets medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 per person.
When all the conditions are met, Immigrant Invest lawyers submit the supporting documents to the Residency Malta Agency.
At least 1 day
Fingerprinting in Malta 
At least 1 day
Fingerprinting in Malta
The investor and all family members included in the application must travel to Malta and provide their fingerprints at the Residency Malta Agency. Fingerprinting takes place after the application has been approved. However, it can be done before all the investment conditions are fulfilled.
1 month
Final approval 
1 month
Final approval
The Residency Malta Agency reviews the additional documents provided by the lawyers after the investor has fulfilled all the programme conditions. After that, Immigrant Invest receives the final approval, which means that the applicants will get permanent residence cards.
2 weeks
Getting permanent residence cards 
2 weeks
Getting permanent residence cards
The Residency Malta Agency issues a Certificate of Residence and permanent residence cards and sends them to Immigrant Invest lawyers in Malta. The investor gets the documents by courier and doesn’t have to visit Malta to collect them.
The permanent residence card for adult applicants is valid for five years. A minor applicant renews the card a month after turning 14 or 18 years old.
Annually for the first 5 years
Annual review of compliance with the programme terms
Annually for the first 5 years
Annual review of compliance
with the programme terms
The Residency Malta Agency checks whether the investor meets the programme conditions: rents or owns a residential property in Malta and has assets of €500,000 in the disposal. The check is conducted annually for the first five years after obtaining permanent residence.
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Additional services after obtaining permanent residence
The Maltese permanent residence card must be renewed every five years. Over time, other needs may arise. For example, to become a tax resident or register a car. See how we continue to help our clients.
Renewal of the permanent residence card
We help our clients renew their permanent residence cards every five years.
Registration of tax residency
If the investor spends at least 183 days a year in Malta.
Replacement of the lost residence card
We prepare documents and accompany you from the application to getting a new permanent residence card.
Getting a tax number
We submit an electronic application to obtain a tax number for our clients.
Getting a driver's licence
We consult on the process. The applicant has to pass the driving exams.
Adding family members to the programme
We help spouses, parents, children, and grandchildren get permanent residence after the investors get theirs.
Registration of yachts
We assist from purchase until registration under the Maltese flag.
Opening a bank account
We prepare the required documents and fill out the forms.
Selecting real estate
We help our clients choose an apartment online, check the property and send the client a video. We assist in the conclusion of a sale and purchase or leasing agreement.
Registration of cars with Transport Malta
We also arrange insurance for vehicles.
Schedule a meeting
Let’s discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
Department
Answers to frequently asked questions
Can foreigners get PR in Malta?
Yes, foreign nationals can get a permanent residence permit in Malta. To do it, one can live in Malta for 5+ years or participate in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
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 be not under sanctions. Also, one must confirm having assets of at least €500,000, including €150,000 as liquid financial assets.
Investors’ spouses, children, parents and grandparents may apply as well.
How long does it take to get Malta PR?
The term is individual: it depends on several factors, for example, the time needed to prepare documents, find a property to rent or buy, and fulfil other investment conditions.
After submitting documents, the application is processed for 4–6 months. Then, some time is needed to get final approval and receive residence cards.
Who can participate in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
Adult investors over 18 years old can participate if they have:
- a proven legal income;
- no criminal records;
- no previous refusals on getting a visa in a country that has a visa-waiver agreement with Malta;
- assets of at least €500,000, including liquid financial assets of €150,000.
Investors’ family members can get permanent residence under the programme. A spouse or partner, children, parents and grandparents can participate. There is no age limit for relatives.
However, several requirements are imposed on adult family members. Children over 18 must not be married. Adult children, parents and grandparents should be principally dependent on the investor.
How much and what to invest in to get Malta permanent residence?
The investor fulfils several investment conditions:
- €40,000 — the administration fee;
- €10,000+ per annum or €300,000+ for renting for five years or buying real estate in Malta;
- €58,000 or €28,000 — the contribution fee for renting or buying real estate;
- €2,000— a donation to a charitable organisation.
If the investor rents a property for five years, the final expenses will amount to at least €150,000. If they buy a property, they spend at least €370,000.
The investor also pays €7,500 per parent or grandparent added to the programme.
Is it possible to return the investments?
If the investor buys real estate to participate in the programme, they can sell it five years later and get the money back. In addition, they can rent out the property.
Rental payments, administration and contribution fees, and charitable donations cannot be refunded.
Is it possible to get Malta permanent residence for a new spouse, children and grandchildren?
Yes, it is. New family members can be added to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
A spouse, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law can be added to the programme later. In this case, the investor pays the fees:
- €7,500 per spouse, parent, grandparent, daughter-in-law or son-in-law;
- €5,000 per child over 18 or grandchild.
Minor children and children with disabilities are added free of charge.
Do you guarantee that I will get permanent residence?
No one can guarantee that you will get Malta permanent residence. Moreover, if a company guarantees success, you probably deal with scammers.
Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary Due Diligence to increase your chances of getting permanent residence. A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer examines investors’ documents and searches the information in international databases. It helps to find facts in the investor’s biography that could lead to rejection.
If we discover any issues, we offer a solution: for example, to add some documents or choose another programme. In our experience, the preliminary check reduces the rejection risk to 1%.
How do I maintain permanent residence in Malta?
The Residency Malta Agency checks whether the investor meets the programme conditions every year during the first five years. To pass the check, investors keep the assets of €500,000, including liquid financial assets of €150,000. They also maintain the purchased property or continue to rent housing for at least €10,000 or €12,000 per annum, depending on the property location.
Investors can sell the property and dispose of the assets five years after getting permanent residence. They need a registration address in Malta to stay permanent residents. A rented or purchased property might be cheaper than under the programme terms.
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Quick Answer
Schedule a meeting
Let’s discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
Zlata Erlach, Caribbean Investment Program Expert