MALTA PERMANENT RESIDENCE PROGRAM

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.

Yes, after continuously residing in Malta for a minimum of 5 years, a beneficiary of the MPRP can apply for Maltese citizenship by naturalisation. The Minister has the discretion to grant or refuse the application based on internal policies, and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee automatic citizenship.

The processing time for a Malta Permanent Residence visa is typically between 4 to 7 months. This includes a 4-week application preparation time, a 4-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.

Yes, parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse can 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 €7,500 per parent and grandparent applies. 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.

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 program'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 around EUR 155,000, excluding professional fees.

The minimum property purchase value for the programme is EUR 300,000, which reduces the government contribution from EUR 98,000 to EUR 68,000. 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 50,000 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.