Malta Permanent Residence Programme

To obtain permanent residence in Malta under the 2025 regulations of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), applicants need to purchase or rent a property in Malta, pay the required government fees and contributions, make a charitable donation, and pass the necessary background checks. Once these requirements are fulfilled, they must visit Malta to register their fingerprints and collect their residence card.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) offers a range of benefits, including affordable access to the Schengen Area, a low-cost lifestyle, easy travel to most major European cities, favorable taxation, and excellent services. The fact that Malta enjoys some of the best weather in Europe is also an attractive aspect.

The MPRP provides permanent residence in Malta, meaning the permit has no expiry date. However, residence cards are valid for five years and can be easily renewed.

After living in Malta continuously for at least five years, MPRP beneficiaries may apply for Maltese citizenship through naturalisation. The decision to approve or deny the application is at the discretion of the Minister and depends on internal policies, with eligibility not guaranteeing automatic citizenship. Additionally, Malta informally expects a total of 11 years of residence with at least 6 years of physical presence, to significantly enhance the likelihood of obtaining citizenship after becoming a resident the MPRP.

The processing time for  an application for Permanent Residence in Malta now typically takes between 9 to 12 months, as a result of the success and popularity of the programme. This includes a 4-week application preparation time, a 9-month residency application submission and processing time, and a 3-month compliance period to fulfill all requirements after the initial approval.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is open to non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals. Applicants from, or who have close ties with countries currently under sanctions, such as Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela, are not eligible.

The program is also not available to individuals from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

Please note that the list of ineligible countries is subject to change at the discretion of Residency Malta Agency.

The process is straightforward but demands a strong commitment to transparency and strict confidentiality. This approach enables Yakof Agius & Associates to prepare a high-quality application. Once this is completed, the Maltese government conducts thorough background checks to verify the information submitted. These checks are a crucial part of the application process. By maintaining the necessary level of dedication and attention to detail, the procedure can be managed smoothly.

Yes, the main applicant’s spouse, together with any of their children can be included in the application, as long as they are unmarried, under the age of 29, and still princpially dependent on their parents. Parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse can also apply as dependants if they can prove they are primarily dependent on the main applicant.

The main applicant must provide an affidavit confirming support, and proof of the relationship must be provided. An additional fee of €5,000 per dependent is applicable. There is no age threshold for parents or grandparents.

The main applicant must declare in an affidavit that the adult dependant is primarily dependent on them. It is advisable to submit any supporting documents that can verify this statement with the application, along with the affidavit.

No. The majority of the investment is only made after the application is approved, however, the non-refundable deposit may be lost in the event that the application is no accepted.

No, it is not mandatory to own or lease property in Malta at the time of application. The applicant must submit relevant property documentation within 8 months from the date of issue of the Letter of Approval in Principle. However, a property that has been leased or purchased before the application submission and meets the qualifying property rules found in S.L. 217.26 is still acceptable. Furthermore, if the applicant chooses to acquire temporary residence during the application process, a property title deed is required – during this stage, a leased property is highly recommended.

During periods when the applicant is not in Malta, properties can be leased to third parties, subject to certain conditions.

Yes, the beneficiary can sell or stop leasing the qualifying property and buy or lease a new property during the first 5 years, as long as they continuously meet the programme’s property requirements. However, they cannot switch from owning to leasing a property during this period, and there should be no gaps between the end date of the previous property and the start date of the new one. The beneficiary must provide documents for the new property to the Agency, such as a copy of the purchase or lease agreement, and a rental declaration form and receipt if it is a leased property.

Malta’s Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP) is widely considered to be the most affordable residence by investment program in Europe. The total cost for a family of four, including government contributions, administration fees, property lease, and annual compliance reports for five years is approximately EUR 250,000, inclusive of professional fees.

The minimum property purchase value for the program is EUR 375,000, which reduces the government contribution from EUR 110,000 to EUR 80,000. Purchasing property in Malta can also offer a valuable asset that can be leveraged for a return on investment. In contrast, leasing a property has a minimum cost of EUR 70,000 for the first 5 years, after which the beneficiary is free to rent any residential property without any minimum lease value requirement. Purchasing property may require a larger investment upfront, whilst leasing may offer more flexibility in the short term.

Malta’s real estate market offers a wide range of properties, from historic palazzos to modern seafront apartments, making it an attractive destination for foreign investors seeking diverse and unique investment opportunities therefore, the decision to buy or lease a property will depend on individual circumstances and preferences.

The EUR 60,000 Government Fees are a non-recoverable cost of the application process. Furthermore, the Government contribution of EUR 37,000 is deemed as an investment in the Maltese economy and is also non-recoverable and does not return any financial yields. The main investment element which allows investors to acquire an appreciating asset is the purchasing of property.

Yes, obtaining residence through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) allows for visa-free travel across the Schengen Area. As a Maltese resident, you can move freely within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a separate visa. This includes all 29 Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Croatia.