United Nations Pensions Programme

• English is an official language and the language of education and communication
• Malta is a part of the European Union.
• Malta's currency is the Euro.
• Favourable tax system for expatriates.

Benefits of the United Nations Pensions Programme

• Indefinite Residence: the right to reside indefinitely in Malta.
• Maltese Residence Card provides Visa-free travel within Schengen Area.
• Include family members and domestic staff in one application.
• No minimum presence required.
• Special Tax Status : 15% Tax only on Malta-source income and capital gains and on foreign income only if remitted to Malta.
• Tax exemption on UN pension
• No tax on foreign-source income if not remitted to Malta
• No tax on foreign-source capital gains, even if remitted to Malta.
• No inheritance tax
• No wealth taxation.

Legal Basis

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The United Nations Pensions Programme regulations were enacted by virtue of Legal Notice 184 of 2015, under the Maltese Income Tax Act. The scope of these regulations is to determine the conditions of individuals residing in Malta under the United Nations Pensions Programme. 

Taxation under the UN Nations Pensions Programme

Maltese residents are not subject to tax in Malta on foreign sourced income not remitted to Malta, nor are they subject to tax on any foreign sourced capital gains whether remitted to Malta or not. Beneficiaries under the United Nations Pensions Programme are exempt from taxation on their UN pension income or widows’ benefit received in Malta. Income arising outside Malta which is remitted to Malta by the beneficiary or his dependants is taxed at a special tax rate of 15%. Any income of the beneficiary or his dependants, generated in Malta is taxable at a flat rate of 35%.

Eligibility for the United Nations Pensions Programme rules

• Open to EU and Non-EU nationals, in receipt of a UN Pensionand their family members
• 40% of UN Pension must be received in Malta;

United Nations Pensions Programme Costs and Requirements

• Applicant must be economically self-sufficient
• A government application fee of €4,000.
• Applicants must purchase or rent a property;
• Applicants should have valid travel document;
• Applicants should have full EU health insurance cover;
• Annual cost: €10,000 minimum tax in respect of the income arising outside Malta which is received in Malta excluding UN pension income or Widow’s benefit, covering the first €100,000 of foreign income remitted to Malta. Additional €5,000 in the event that both spouses are in receipt of a UN Pension;
• Applicant should be covered by a Health Insurance Policy