MALTA | RESIDENCE | BY INVESTMENT
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
MPRP eligibility requirements
We assess your nationality, family circumstances, qualifying assets and supporting evidence against the MPRP requirements, so you can understand which relatives may apply and what needs to be prepared.
Criteria
- Main applicant aged 18 or over, with stable resources and a satisfactory due diligence assessment.
- Capital of €500,000 including €150,000 in financial assets, or €650,000 including €75,000 in financial assets.
- Qualifying accommodation and suitable health insurance for the family.
Dependents
- Spouse or equivalent recognised partner; minor children.
- Unmarried children aged 18–28 who are principally dependent. Separate provisions apply to adult children with a qualifying disability.
- Dependent parents and grandparents of the applicant or spouse who are not in full-time employment.
Eligibility
- For eligible nationals outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
- The Agency applies nationality and other restrictions, including checks on connections with restricted jurisdictions.
- Every applicant is assessed individually. We check the current restrictions and your family’s circumstances before submission.
MPRP costs and property requirements
The core administration fee, government contribution and donation total €99,000, before property and other costs. Choose a qualifying home in Malta or Gozo by renting or buying; both routes carry the same government contribution.
Property lease
- EUR 60,000Government Administration Fees
- EUR 37,000Government Contribution
- EUR 2,000Donation to a local NGO
- EUR 14,000Minimum Annual Lease Value (5 years holding period)
- EUR 7,500for each additional adult dependant, excluding the spouse (new applications)
Property purchase
- EUR 60,000Government Administration Fees
- EUR 37,000Government Contribution
- EUR 2,000Donation to a local NGO
- EUR 375,000Minimum Property Purchase Value (5 year holding period)
- EUR 7,500for each additional adult dependant, excluding the spouse (new applications)
The qualifying property must be retained for at least five years. Budget separately for residence cards, insurance, professional fees and applicable property expenses. See the full cost explanation below.
Discussing the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, with
Residency Malta AgencyJonathan Cardona
The MPRP application process
A carefully prepared application makes each stage clearer. Timing depends on the documents, due diligence and Agency review; temporary residence is a separate option during processing.
Prepare the application
We review your family, assets and plans, explain the costs and prepare a tailored document checklist.
Our team checks the application and supporting evidence before submission.
Submission and review
Your licensed agent submits the application to Residency Malta Agency. The initial administration payment and due diligence follow.
If appropriate, we coordinate a temporary residence request, its accommodation and insurance requirements, and the required biometrics.
Investment and biometrics
Following approval in principle, complete the outstanding payments, donation, qualifying property and insurance evidence within the applicable deadlines.
Final approval and the required biometric formalities lead to residence documentation.
Residence and compliance
Maintain the programme obligations, including the required property, insurance and asset evidence.
We assist with compliance submissions, changes in family circumstances and residence card renewals.
MPRP documentation
Your documentation should tell a clear, evidenced story about your identity, family and finances. We prepare a personal checklist and coordinate the required formalities. Explore the supporting documents.
- Valid passports
- Birth and civil status records
- Marriage or divorce certificates, where applicable
- Police certificates where required
- Medical declarations
- Evidence of qualifying assets
- Source of wealth and funds evidence
- Dependency and relationship evidence
- Property documentation at the relevant stage
- Suitable health insurance
- Certified copies, apostilles and translations as required
MPRP frequently asked questions
What is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)?
The MPRP is Malta’s permanent residence by investment programme for eligible nationals from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. It combines a qualifying home in Malta with government fees, a contribution and a charitable donation. Successful applicants and approved dependants receive permanent residence in Malta, subject to continued compliance. It is a residence programme, not a citizenship programme.
What are the MPRP financial requirements?
The main applicant must demonstrate at least €500,000 in capital assets, including €150,000 in financial assets, or at least €650,000 in capital assets, including €75,000 in financial assets. These are assets you must hold and evidence; they are separate from the fees and property commitment. The applicable asset threshold must be maintained during the first five years.
What is the total cost of the MPRP?
The core fees and donation total €99,000: a €60,000 administration fee, a €37,000 government contribution and a €2,000 donation. Add property: at least €14,000 a year in rent for five years, or a purchase of at least €375,000. This gives a minimum five-year lease commitment of €169,000, or €474,000 including the minimum property purchase. Neither is an all-inclusive quotation. Adult dependant fees, residence cards, insurance, professional fees and applicable property taxes, notarial and other expenses are additional. A purchased property remains an asset, whose future value is not guaranteed.
Is the property cost included in the government fees?
No. The cost of renting or buying your home is separate from government fees, the contribution and donation. A property advertised at the programme minimum may also involve deposits, utilities or transaction costs. We prepare a family-specific breakdown so that you can distinguish government payments, property expenditure and professional costs before committing.
When are the administration fee and property costs payable?
The €60,000 administration fee is split into €15,000 within one month of submission and €45,000 within two months of approval in principle. Qualifying property is generally evidenced after approval in principle, within the Agency’s eight-month deadline. If you request temporary residence during processing, suitable accommodation and insurance are needed earlier. Your payment schedule therefore depends in part on whether you choose that option.
Which payments are refundable if my application is refused?
Administration fees are non-refundable. Property deposits, rent and professional fees depend on the agreements you enter into and should not be assumed recoverable. Although the permanent residence route generally allows the main property commitment after approval in principle, choosing temporary residence can bring costs forward. We explain the timing and contractual exposure before you make those commitments.
Should I rent or buy a qualifying property?
Both routes currently carry the same €37,000 government contribution. Renting requires at least €14,000 annually and may suit a family that wants flexibility. Buying requires at least €375,000 and may suit a longer-term home ownership plan. Compare the five-year commitment, taxes, maintenance, likely use of the home and transaction costs. Property ownership does not guarantee appreciation or rental income.
Can I change my property, and what happens after five years?
You can replace a qualifying property provided the applicable requirements remain satisfied without a gap in accommodation, and replacement documents are supplied to the Agency. Arrange the change with your agent before ending a lease or selling. After the first five years, the original minimum property value no longer applies, but maintaining a residential property remains part of the programme’s continuing obligations.
Does a qualifying property need to suit the size of my family?
Yes. Meeting the minimum rent or purchase price is not the only consideration. The accommodation must be appropriate for the people included in the application. The Agency may request the floor area, bedroom details and supporting declarations, and may inspect the property. We review the proposed home and family composition before you sign; a bedroom count alone is not a reliable guarantee of acceptance.
Who can be included in an MPRP family application?
An eligible spouse or equivalent recognised partner, children and qualifying parents or grandparents may be included. Children aged 18 to 28 must be unmarried and principally dependent at application. Parents and grandparents must be principally dependent and not in full-time employment. Separate provisions apply to adult children with a qualifying disability. Every family member remains subject to the relevant checks.
Does the €7,500 adult dependant fee apply to my spouse?
For a new application, the additional €7,500 fee applies to each adult dependant other than the spouse. The spouse and minor children do not attract that additional adult dependant fee. Residence card charges and other individual expenses still need to be budgeted for. Adding a family member after the certificate has been issued follows a separate application and fee process.
How do I prove that an adult child or parent is dependent on me?
Dependency must reflect the person’s actual circumstances. A sworn declaration should be supported, where appropriate, by records showing financial support, income, studies or living arrangements. A parent’s pension does not necessarily prevent inclusion, but substantial independent income or assets can be relevant. We assess the evidence before treating an adult relative as eligible.
What happens when a dependent child turns 18 or later marries?
Turning 18 does not automatically end an approved child’s residence status, although a new card is required at that age. Marriage, financial independence and other changes should be discussed with your agent so that the Agency’s current requirements can be addressed. Initial eligibility and post-approval obligations are distinct; the effect of a particular change should be confirmed for the individual case rather than assumed from the word “permanent”.
Can I apply from abroad, and when must I visit Malta?
Your licensed agent can prepare and submit the application while you are abroad. A visit to Malta is normally needed for the required biometric appointment. If you choose temporary residence, that appointment can occur earlier in the process. Travel arrangements should follow the confirmed appointment and any applicable entry requirements.
Can I obtain temporary residence while my MPRP application is processed?
There is a one-year temporary residence option during processing. It requires the initial €15,000 administration payment before biometrics, accommodation, insurance and the prescribed documentation; the full application must then be completed within the required six-month period. A temporary card is not approval of permanent residence and does not remove the due diligence or investment requirements.
How long does an MPRP application take?
The timetable depends on document preparation, due diligence, the Agency’s workload and any requests for clarification. Approval in principle is followed by the required payments and property evidence, final approval and card formalities. Temporary residence has its own steps. We map these stages against your intended move and update the timetable as the application progresses, without promising a guaranteed approval date.
What documents are required for an MPRP application?
The application normally includes passports, civil status records, police certificates where required, medical documents, evidence of assets and the origin of wealth and funds, and documents supporting family relationships and dependency. Certification, legalisation or apostille and English translations may be required. Property and insurance evidence are supplied at the relevant stage. Read our MPRP documentation guide for further context; we tailor the final checklist to your circumstances.
What is the difference between source of wealth and source of funds?
Source of wealth explains how you accumulated your assets, for example through a business, employment, investments or inheritance. Source of funds explains the origin and movement of the money used for the application. A bank balance alone may not establish either history. Corporate records, accounts, sale contracts, inheritance documents and bank records can help connect the explanation to the evidence.
Can cryptocurrency or a high annual income satisfy the asset test?
A high income alone does not replace the capital requirement. Cryptocurrency is not accepted as a qualifying financial asset under the Agency’s guidance. Eligible financial assets can include bank deposits, stocks, bonds and investment funds, supported by appropriate evidence. The classification and value of your particular holdings should be assessed before submission.
Can a family member help fund my application?
Funding from a donor or benefactor may be possible, but the relationship, transfer and source of the money need to be documented. A benefactor can be subject to additional due diligence and financial evidence requirements. Do not assume that a promise of support or an unexplained transfer is sufficient; the proposed arrangement should be reviewed before funds are moved.
Which police certificates and translations will I need?
The Agency’s requirements include police certificates from the country of origin and countries where the applicant has lived for more than six months during the preceding ten years, subject to the applicable rules and individual circumstances. Relevant civil documents may need certification and apostille or legalisation. Documents in languages other than English generally require an acceptable English translation. We identify the correct issuing authorities and formalities for your file.
What health insurance is required?
Applicants must hold suitable health insurance covering risks in Malta and other European countries. Current Agency guidance specifies at least €100,000 annual cover per person for the relevant new applications. The policy, territorial coverage and any exclusions should be checked before purchase. Insurance timing is particularly important when seeking a temporary permit during processing.
Is MPRP residence permanent, or must it be renewed every five years?
The residence certificate provides permanent status subject to compliance; the physical residence card normally has a five-year validity. These are different things. Cards for children expire at the relevant age cut-offs of 14 and 18. Five-year renewals are handled through the agent and require fresh biometrics. The current five-year card fee is €500 per person; different rules apply to age cut-off renewals and replacements.
Can I travel or work elsewhere in Europe with an MPRP card?
With a valid passport and residence card, you can make short visits to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to entry conditions. This is not an unrestricted right to live or work throughout Europe. Employment in Malta requires the relevant authorisation, and employment in another country is governed by that country’s rules.
Does the MPRP automatically give me a special tax status?
No. Immigration residence under the MPRP and tax residence are separate questions. Your tax position depends on your circumstances and the applicable tax rules; the MPRP does not automatically confer a preferential tax regime. Explore Malta’s tax residence programmes if tax status is part of your planning.
Does permanent residence lead automatically to Maltese citizenship?
No. The MPRP grants residence, not a passport or a guaranteed route to citizenship after a set number of years. Any citizenship application is assessed separately under the applicable law. Our Maltese citizenship services explain the separate routes and the importance of assessing eligibility individually.
Do I need a language test or a licensed agent?
The programme does not require a language test. Applications must be submitted through a licensed agent. Yakof Agius & Associates is listed in Residency Malta’s agent register under RES-YAKO, with Dr Rachel Powell as the named agent. Meet our partners or contact our firm to discuss your plans.
Programme information checked on 9 September 2026 against Residency Malta’s programme information and its current guidance. You can also consult the official agent register. Individual circumstances and the rules applicable to your application date matter.
