Permanent Residence in the European Island of Malta
Malta’s Permanent Residence framework has long served as a trusted route for non-EU nationals seeking a stable and secure base in the European Union. The programme is designed to accommodate a broad range of family types and financial profiles, with eligibility requirements that reflect Malta’s commitment to transparency and due diligence.
The framework is particularly attractive to globally mobile individuals and families who may not necessarily intend to relocate immediately but value the ability to reside in Malta in the future - often as a safeguard against instability in their current jurisdiction. Legal Notice 146 of 2025 further strengthens the programme by introducing clearer rules around eligibility, dependants, and agent licensing, and by granting temporary residence rights to applicants during the application process.
Legal Basis for Malta Permanent Residence
The MPRP falls under the Maltese Immigration Act; however, it is regulated by Legal Notice 121 of 2021 as amended by Legal Notice 57 of 2024, Legal Notice 310 of 2024, and Legal Notice 146 of 2025. These regulations are administered by the Residency Malta Agency and provide the legal framework for granting permanent residence to qualifying third-country nationals.
Legal Notice 146 of 2025, which came into effect on 22 July 2025, further consolidates the MPRP’s legal framework, enhancing the clarity of eligibility rules and improving procedural safeguards.
Eligibility for Malta Permanent Residence
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be nationals of a non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss country.
- Hold a clean criminal record and pass due diligence checks.
- Possess at least €500,000 in capital, including €150,000 in financial assets.
- Be covered by EU-wide health insurance.
- Not benefit from other residence or citizenship schemes in Malta.
The main applicant may include qualifying dependants such as a spouse (who must not be in full-time employment), financially dependent children, and parents or grandparents under specific conditions.
Financial Requirements & Qualifying Property for Permanent Residence
Apart from satisfying the three main requirements mentioned above, the main applicant must also show that he has €500,000 worth of assets, of which €150,000 must take the form of financial assets. Alternatively, the applicant may declare and provide evidence that he is in possession of not less than €650,000, out of which a minimum of €75,000 shall be in the form of financial assets.
The applicant and his dependants must also have a health insurance policy covering them in Malta and in the EU.
The main applicant can include up to 4 generations of the family in one application. This includes:
- The spouse of the main applicant in a monogamous marriage or in another relationship having the same or similar status,
- Children up to the age of 28, of the main applicant and/or of the spouse who at the time of the application are not married and financially dependent on the main applicant
- Dependent parents and grand parents on either side who at the time of the application are financially dependent on the main applicant
Third country nationals, excluding EU, EEA and Switzerland citizens are eligible for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. Currently, citizens of sanctioned countries of (or have close ties with) Afghanistan, Belarus, North Korea, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Venezuela are ineligible to apply.
Malta Permanent Residence Timeline
The process from submission till the completeness of the MPRP application can be divided into seven main steps. Total processing time can range from 6-12 months.
- Power of Attorney: The applicant is required to sign a Power of Attorney for the Licensed Agent to act on his behalf in terms of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) application.
- Submission of MPRP application: The licensed agent shall submit to the Residency Malta Agency all the government application forms together with all supporting documentation. Upon submission, a receipt will be issued to confirm the receipt of the application. The Residency Malta Agency issues an invoice for the €15,000 non-refundable fee to be paid by the applicant to the Agency within 1 month from the submission of the MPRP application.
- Due Diligence Process: The Residency Malta Agency applies a four tier due diligence process to ensure that only individuals and families of repute are accepted under the programme. The Residency Malta Agency, along with the licensed agent, jointly bear the responsibility for verifying all information provided by the applicant. The agent initially applies Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures during the onboarding process. Following this, the Agency's team conducts a secondary level of due diligence. They review the application for completeness and identify any anomalies that might indicate potential risks. The documentation submitted, such as notarised and apostilled documents and translations, is thoroughly checked for validity. If any documents are missing, the application process is paused until the agent submits the required materials on behalf of the client. The third step involves obtaining clearance from police authorities through comprehensive checks, including those against Interpol and Europol databases. An extensive online investigation follows, consulting international databases to identify any sanctioned individuals or companies. This investigation extends to all family members applying for residency, as well as their corporate partners and associates. In cases where additional clarity is needed, the Agency may request further information from the applicant to ensure a complete and accurate understanding of the family’s application. If necessary, information is cross-referenced with due diligence companies to maintain consistency.
- Issue of Letter of Approval: The final application file and supporting documents are present to the Agency's Approval Board which takes the final decision. If the application is approved, a Letter of Approval in Principle is issued.
- Settle Investments: The next step is for the applicant to settle the investment required which include the rent or purchase of a property, the donation to a charity or philanthropic organisation, and payment of the remaining balance to the Government.
- Biometric data taking and Issue of Maltese Residency Card: Once the investment is all done, the applicants are to travel to Malta to take biometric data. Each residency card is valid for 5 years and renewable thereafter.
- Annual Compliance: On an annual basis, the Agency will ask the Licensed Agent to submit on behalf of the applicant proof that the property is still being held and proof of the health insurance cover. This is done annually for the first 5 years, and then whenever the Agency deems fit at its discretion.
Benefits of obtained Maltese Permanent Residency
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. Property rental option is available
- Children maintain PR status when they become adults or find employment
- English is an official language in Malta
- Visa free travel to the Schengen Area for 90 out of 180 days
- Permanent residence granted for life with the right to live and work in Malta
- Ability to include dependents post approval stage. This can include spouses and children of already approved applicants.
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 worldwide 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.
Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker is a Licensed Agent under the MPRP regulations and holds licence AKM-ACCA.
