Updated on July 15, 2025
Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Living and travelling visa-free in Europe
€182,000+
Investment amount
6+ months
Application processing
28 countries
Can be visited visa-free
Investors can obtain permanent residency in Malta, granting lifetime rights to live in the country, access the Schengen Area for 90 days every 180, and expand businesses into the European market.
To qualify, applicants must meet specific requirements: purchase or rent real estate, pay government fees, make a donation, and confirm assets of at least €500,000. Immigrant Invest, a licensed agent of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), facilitates the process for investors.
The program operates under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, L.N. 310 of 2024, and has been active since 2015.

Is Maltese residency the key to the quality of life you want?
Get our detailed guide to learn:
How to obtain residency smoothly
Rights and opportunities that come with your new status
Obligations to fulfil to maintain residency
Answers to frequently asked questions
Benefits of Malta permanent residence
1
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.
Maltese permanent residents can visit other Schengen countries without visas. The visa-free stay is up to 90 out of 180 days.
2
Living, working and doing business in Malta
Investors receive a permanent residence permit that is valid for life. They can move to Malta, register a company, find a job and become a tax resident of the country.
Investors receive a permanent residence permit that is valid for life. They can move to Malta, register a company, find a job and become a tax resident of the country.
3
Access to European healthcare and education
Maltese permanent residents can receive medical treatment in Maltese clinics and study at local schools and universities. They can also access clinics and educational institutions in other Schengen countries.
Maltese permanent residents can receive medical treatment in Maltese clinics and study at local schools and universities. They can also access clinics and educational institutions in other Schengen countries.
4
“Safe haven” in Malta
Investors are not required to live in Malta to obtain or maintain permanent residency. They can establish a safe haven in Malta by buying or renting housing and opening a bank account to transfer capital to the country.
Investors are not required to live in Malta to obtain or maintain permanent residency. They can establish a safe haven in Malta by buying or renting housing and opening a bank account to transfer capital to the country.
5
Opportunity to become Malta’s tax resident
If investors spend more than 183 days a year in Malta, they become tax residents.
The country’s tax system is potentially more attractive than those of some other countries. However, obtaining a permanent residence permit does not provide any tax incentives; investors are subject to the general tax regulations.
If investors spend more than 183 days a year in Malta, they become tax residents.
The country’s tax system is potentially more attractive than those of some other countries. However, obtaining a permanent residence permit does not provide any tax incentives; investors are subject to the general tax regulations.
6
Convenient path to residency
Applicants are not required to pass any language tests or live in Malta for several years to apply for permanent residence.
Applicants are not required to pass any language tests or live in Malta for several years to apply for permanent residence.
7
Permanent residence for 4 generations of a family
Investors’ spouses, children, parents and grandparents can be included in the applications.
Investors’ spouses, children, parents and grandparents can be included in the applications.
Who is eligible for Malta permanent residence?
Concerned about wasting time and money?
Your doubts are reasonable, as every 10th application under the MPRP is rejected. To gain clarity, undergo our preliminary Due Diligence check that ensures you know your eligibility upfront. It is confidential and completed within 48 hours.

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 also show a specific capital amount in their bank account, with two options available: either a minimum of €500,000 in total assets, including €150,000 in liquid financial assets, or a minimum of €650,000 in total assets, including €75,000 in liquid financial assets.
1 option
Renting real estate — €182,000+
The investor pays government fees, donates to a charitable organisation and rents a residential property in Malta for five years. The minimum rental price is €14,000 per annum.
After five years of residence, investors are still required to rent a property to keep a residential address, though specific price requirements no longer apply.
2 option
Purchasing real estate — €457,000+
The investor covers government fees, donates to a charitable organization, and purchases residential property in Malta. The minimum property price is €375,000, and the fees add up to about 7% of the property value.
The property must be owned for a minimum of 5 years. Investors are not allowed to rent out real estate purchased for residency purposes.
Minimum expenses for a family of 4
The spouses, their child and the investor’s father

Does Malta permanent residency fit your budget?
The total cost depends on family composition. We can provide a free, individualised calculation for your case, covering additional expenses like taxes, insurance, and more.
Why is the agent's licence important?
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, L.N. 310 of 2024, do not 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.
Real estate qualifying for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme
How to recoup the investment under the MPRP
The investment made under the MPRP can be partially recouped if the investor chooses to purchase real estate in Malta.
After 5 years of obtaining Malta permanent residence, the investor can resell the property. However, if they do, they must buy or rent another property at any price to maintain a residential address.
8—10% annually is the real estate price appreciation in Special Designated Areas of Malta, allowing the property to potentially be sold at a profit.
Discover the top real estate opportunities in Malta to maximise your investment returns.
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining Malta permanent residence
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Due Diligence is a crucial step in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, as it determines whether an investor qualifies for residency.
At Immigrant Invest, we have an in-house Compliance Department where certified AML Officers conduct a preliminary and confidential Due Diligence check on every investor, using the same databases employed by the Residency Malta Agency.
This process takes one business day and reduces the risk of rejection to 1%.
After completing the Due Diligence check, Immigrant Invest signs a service agreement with the investor.
Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.
1+ months
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 with a notary, and accurately complete application forms.
Once the documents are prepared, the lawyers submit the application to the Residency Malta Agency. At this stage, the main applicant pays a non-refundable administrative fee of €15,000.
3—6 months
Due Diligence
The Residency Malta Agency conducts Due Diligence. Sometimes, the agency requests additional information, such as details about the investor’s business and financial affairs. In such cases, Immigrant Invest lawyers prepare the required documents and responses, review them with the investor for approval, and submit them to the agency.
Within 8 months after approval
Fulfilment of investment conditions
The Residency Malta Agency sends a notice of approval to Immigrant Invest. Once the approval is received, the applicant must meet the investment requirements within the specified timeframe.
The Residency Malta Agency issues the Letter of Approval in Principle. Once Immigrant Invest receives the approval, the applicant must meet the investment requirements within the specified timeframe.
The remaining €35,000 of the administrative fee is payable within two months from the approval date. Paying the contribution fee, making a donation, and renting or purchasing property must be completed within eight months.
Once all requirements are fulfilled, Immigrant Invest lawyers submit the supporting documents to the Residency Malta Agency.
Up to 7 days
Issuance of the residence certificate
Once all requirements are fulfilled, the Residency Malta Agency issues the residence certificate within 7 days.
1 day
Fingerprinting in Malta
Biometrics must be submitted in person in Malta. The applicant and all dependents are required to visit the Residency Malta Agency’s office; only infants up to the age of 2 are exempt from biometrics.
2 weeks
Getting permanent residence cards
The Residency Malta Agency issues a Certificate of Residence and permanent residence cards, which are sent to Immigrant Invest lawyers in Malta. The investor receives the documents by courier and is not required to visit Malta to collect them.
Permanent residence cards for adult applicants are valid for five years. Minor applicants must renew their cards one month after turning 14 or 18 years old.
Annually for the first 5 years
Annual review of compliance with the programme terms
The Residency Malta Agency verifies whether the investor meets the programme conditions: rents or owns a residential property in Malta and has the required assets at their disposal. This check is conducted annually during the first five years after obtaining permanent residence.
Our clients’ reviews
All reviewsClients’ names and photos have been changed to comply with a non-disclosure agreement.
Hesitating to take the first step toward Maltese residency?
Investment migration is evolving fast—programs are closing, raising investments, or removing popular options. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme remains stable, but future changes are always possible due to Malta’s politics or EU policies.
If you’re considering obtaining residency, now may be the best time to act.

Frederick Ellul
Lawyer and Immigrant Invest's partner in Malta
Case studies
Additional services after obtaining permanent residence
The Maltese permanent residence card must be renewed every five years. Over time, additional needs may arise, such as becoming a tax resident or opening a bank account. Here’s how we continue to assist our clients.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, foreign nationals can obtain a permanent residence permit in Malta. This can be achieved by living in Malta for more than five 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.
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.
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.
The investor must fulfil several investment requirements:
€50,000+ for the administrative fee;
€14,000+ per year for renting real estate for five years, or €375,000+ for purchasing property in Malta;
€60,000+ for renting or €30,000+ for buying real estate as the contribution fee;
€2,000 for a donation to a charitable organisation.
If the investor rents a property for five years, the total minimum expenses will amount to at least €182,000. If purchasing a property, the minimum total investment will be at least €457,000.
The terms and requirements for applicants are stipulated in Regulations S.L. 217.26 of 2021 and Legal Notice No. 310 of 2024.
If the investor purchases real estate to participate in the programme, they can sell it after five years and recover the investment.
Rental payments, administrative fees, contribution fees, and charitable donations are non-refundable expenses.
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 fees are:
€7,500 per spouse, parent, grandparent, daughter-in-law, or son-in-law;
€5,000 per child aged 18 to 29 or minor grandchild.
Minor children and children with disabilities can be included at no additional cost.
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%.
The Residency Malta Agency checks whether the investor meets the programme conditions annually during the first five 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 five 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.
Articles and news
Two-minute summary of the Malta program
Watch the video for a brief overview of the essentials of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, including its conditions and the benefits of residency status.
Overview of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Below, you will find a series of detailed infographics that provide a comprehensive breakdown of the terms, conditions, and multiple advantages of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. The visuals also include a clear, step-by-step procedure for applying to the program.
These infographics can be used as a guide to compare the Malta Permanent Residence Programme with other residency-by-investment programs and make a wise and informed decision.
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Let’s discuss the details
We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.

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