Malta Permanent Residence Programme

Malta as a PR Destination continues with Permanent Residence Programme 2021

Dr. Priscilla Mifsud Parker co-authored with Antoine Saliba Haig | 21 May 2021

Malta Permanent Residence Programme ccmalta

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme owes its origins in the 1960s when a retirement programme was operated to allow British retirees to relocate to Malta and receive their British pension in Malta enjoying Malta's favourable personal tax system.  This has evolved and forked into a number of programmes some of which are still in existence today, including the Malta Global Residence Programme.  The 2021 Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) evolves from  the Malta Residence Visa Programme or MRVP, which is no longer accepting new applications. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) was launched in 2021 by virtue of Legal Notice 121 of 2021 and provides non-EU/EEA nationals of impeccable standing and repute the opportunity to apply for Maltese permanent residence.

The programme is especially attractive to retirees, authors, intellectuals and international consultants, entrepreneurs or simply persons seeking to establish an alternative residence in Europe that suits their lifestyle and tax profile. Beneficiaries of the MPRP are given the benefit of residing and staying in Malta as well as to travel within the Schengen Area for 90 days out of 180. 

Malta for Quality overseas living

The 2021 Malta Permanent Residence Programme is probably the most attractive residence programme available to individuals seeking to acquire permanent residence permit in a European country that is also part of the Schengen Area.  Typical overseas applicants are seeking a warmer climate, a high standard of living, provide a safe environment for younger and older members of the family and a provide a scheme for permanent residence that is selective, affordable and tax friendly. Malta ticks all the boxes for an attractive permanent residence jurisdiction and occupies the highest positions in respected international indexes for quality living and retirement.

Investments Qualifying for Malta Permanent Residence (MPRP)

Applicants can apply under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) on the basis of a contribution to Malta, an investment in property as well as a donation to a charity organisation. 

The Malta government contribution is higher should the applicant choose to rent rather than buy a qualifying property. Currently the qualifying property in the south of Malta must be purchased for a minimum of €300,000 or rented for €10,000; while properties in the rest of Malta must have a minimum value of €350,000 or €12,000 in the case of rent.

A contribution of €68,000 is payable for investors who buy a qualifying property; whilst a contribution of €98,000 applies if the investor leases a property rather than buying a property. 

In addition, applicants are also required to donate at least €2,000 to a local registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic NGO registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations or as otherwise approved by the Residency Malta Agency.

Eligibility for Malta Permanent Residence (MPRP)

By way of financial qualifications, an investor is required to demonstrate a capital of €500,000, of which €150,000 must take the form of financial assets. 

Family applications are favoured by the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, allowing the following to be included in a family application for permanent residence::

  • unmarried couples in a long term relationship and
  • dependent unmarried children with no age limit, as well as
  • economically dependent parents and grand parents on either side.

Malta Permanent Residence: Time Frame

From the Agency’s side, there is a renewed commitment towards increased efficiency, with a targeted processing time of 4-6 months, leaving due diligence of applicants as paramount over speed considerations.

Malta Permanent Residence: Contributions

The fees under the new MPRP regulations are as follows:

  • Main applicant, Spouse & Children:  €68,000 / €98,000 government contribution (in case of property purchase/rental respectively).
  • Parents/grandparents:  €7,500

A philanthropic donation to an approved charity or NGO in Malta is also a requirement at a minimum of: €2,000.

Competitiveness of Maltese PR

Malta continues to take note of a competitive market place of European countries competing in their attractiveness for foreign investors. Accordingly, some competitive advantages include:

  • Permanent residence status is not lost if the resident does not reside in Malta in any given year.
  • No need to purchase property if property rent is preferred to start with.
  • Children maintain PR status when they become adults
  • English is an official language in Malta

Tax System for Malta Permanent Residents

Non-tax residents are only subject to tax on local source income. Tax residents of Malta enjoy a remittance basis of taxation, often referred to as res non-dom taxation, whereby they are only subject to Maltese tax on their foreign income only to the extent remitted to Malta, and not on their foreign source capital gains, whether remitted or not. 

  • A minimum annual tax liability of €5,000 applies to person benefiting of Malta's res non-dom tax status.
  • Permanent residents of Malta requiring formal confirmation of their tax residence status in Malta are able to obtain this through a separate procedure - prior legal advice is recommended.
  • No world-wide income/wealth tax - tax only paid on income remitted to Malta.
  • No Inheritance/Wealth Taxes

Permanent Residents of Malta are entitled to taxation at the flat rate of 15% on remitted income if, instead, they apply under the Malta Global Residence Programme - this attracts a higher minimum tax of €15,000 for the privilege of a flat rate of tax on remitted income only..  Income arising in Malta to a permanent residence permit holder is subject to tax at 35%.

Our Malta Permanent Residence Services

The Firm's award-winning Immigration & Relocation Law team is the oldest specialised immigration law practice in Malta. We have successfully represented hundreds of individuals and families ranging from expatriate retirees, emigrants seeking employment, to HNW individuals listed in Fortune 500. We are committed to promoting Malta as a welcoming investment and relocation destination, with a history of hospitality and multi-culturalism.

We are able to advise you on the tax and legal implications and requirements of the residence application process and indicate expected time frames based on the specific circumstances and nature of your application. Our advice covers the rules applicable to immigrating to Malta under a number of available residence schemes as well as practical relocation assistance ranging from transportation and insurance to schooling and health insurance coverage.


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