Malta Permanent Residence Programme: A Comprehensive Guide
Malta Permanent Residence Programme: An Overview
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is a residency program for non-EU investors.
Launched in 2015 and most recently updated in 2025, the program allows applicants to gain permanent residency in Malta by purchasing or renting a property, paying a government fee, and making a donation.
To qualify for the MPRP, applicants must meet the following financial requirements:
1. Net Worth: You must prove a net worth of over €500,000, with at least €150,000 of that being in liquid, easily accessible assets. All funds must come from a legal source.
2. Property Investment: You have two options:
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Purchase: Buy a property worth at least €375,000 and hold it for a minimum of five years. Typically, you will also need to pay at least 7% in additional fees, bringing the total cost to a minimum of €401,250.
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Rent: Lease a property for a minimum of five years with an annual rent of at least €14,000, totaling €70,000 over five years.
3. Donations: You must donate €37,000 to the Maltese government and an additional €2,000 to a local non-governmental organization.
4. Government Fees: A non-refundable administrative fee of €60,000 is required.
5. Other Costs:
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A visa fee of €137.50 per person (based on 2024 rates) is due during the application review.
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You must purchase health insurance covering Malta for each applicant, costing at least €400 per person annually.
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A due diligence fee of €7,500 is required for each dependent over 18. After approval, another €7,500 per person is charged for all main and dependent applicants, regardless of age.
Theoretically, if you choose the purchase route to get a Maltese passport, the minimum expenditure required is €517,500.
If you choose the rental route, the theoretical minimum expenditure to obtain Maltese permanent residency is €184,000.
All fees paid during this process are non-refundable. For those who choose the purchase option, you can sell the property after 5 years.
Besides the financial requirements, MPRP applicants must also meet basic conditions, including being 18 years or older, being in good health, having no criminal record, and posing no security threat to Maltese society. The main applicant and dependents must also not be involved in any other similar visa programs.
Application Process:
To be approved for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), you can’t apply on your own. You must work with a local, licensed lawyer. The process is broken down into a few key stages.
Step 1: Submitting Your Application
First, you’ll need to decide whether you’ll buy or rent a property. Once you’ve decided, you’ll gather all the necessary documents and write a letter expressing your intent to apply. You or your agent will then submit everything to the Residency Malta Agency.
Your application package will include:
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Personal Information: Copies of passports and ID cards for all applicants, along with proof of relationships (like marriage and birth certificates).
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Application Forms: Several forms detailing your personal history and investment choice.
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Source of Funds: A clear statement explaining where your investment money came from, plus a recent bank statement from your primary bank.
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Business History: A report on any companies you own or have a stake in, or an employment contract if you’re a salaried worker.
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Criminal Records: Certificates from your home country’s law enforcement for all adult applicants.
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Statement of Dependence: A signed statement from any dependents over 18 confirming they are financially reliant on the main applicant.
Keep in mind that all non-English documents must be translated and notarized, which can be expensive—up to €4,000 in Malta. Once the agency receives your application, you’ll pay a non-refundable €15,000 government fee.
Step 2: Due Diligence and Temporary Residency
The Residency Malta Agency will then conduct a thorough background check, which usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. If it’s successful, you and your family will receive a one-year Temporary Residence Permit (TRP). This can be renewed annually until your permanent residency is granted.
Step 3: Finalizing Your Investment
After passing the background check, you’ll get an “Approval in Principle” letter. You’ll then have two months to:
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Pay the remaining €45,000 government fee and the visa fees.
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Make your required donations.
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Complete your property investment (purchase or rental).
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Purchase local health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 per person (this typically costs around €400 per person per year).
Once this is all complete, your agent will submit proof of the investments to the agency, which will then conduct a final, comprehensive review of your file, including a final background check, criminal record review, and health check. The entire process from initial submission to final approval takes about 10 to 12 months.
Step 4: Biometrics and PR Issuance
Once you receive your “Final Approval” letter, all applicants over the age of two must travel to Malta to provide their biometric data (fingerprints).
After a final review of all documents, the Residency Malta Agency will issue your permanent residency card, which can be mailed to you.
The permanent residency card replaces your TRP and acts as your Maltese ID. It is valid for five years and can be renewed. For dependents under 14 or 18, their residency card expires one month before their 14th or 18th birthday, respectively.
The entire process generally takes more than one year.
Annual Review:
For the first five years after you receive your permanent residency card, the Residency Malta Agency will conduct an annual review of your financial situation. They will check two things:
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Are you still holding the purchased or rented property?
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Do you still have a net worth of over €500,000?
Even after five years, the Residency Malta Agency retains the right to randomly request documentation from you at any time.
Dependents:
Under the MPRP program, the primary applicant’s spouse, children under 18, unmarried financially dependent children over 18, married children over 18 who are physically disabled (medical proof required), as well as parents and grandparents, can all obtain Maltese permanent residency as secondary applicants.
Minimum Residence Requirement:
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) has no minimum stay requirement, but participants must visit Malta once every five years to renew their residency card.
Citizenship:
To be eligible to apply for Maltese citizenship, a foreigner must meet several requirements:
Residency: You must have lived legally in Malta for a total of five years. This includes two specific periods:
- You must have lived in Malta continuously for the 12 months immediately before you apply, without leaving the country.
- In the six years leading up to that 12-month period, you must have resided in Malta for at least four years in total.
Good Character: You need to be vouched for by at least two Maltese citizens who can confirm you are of good moral character.
Language: You must pass a language test in either English or Maltese.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the differences between the Malta Global Residence Programme (MGRP) and the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)?
While both programs share similarities in requiring applicants to purchase or rent property and pay a government fee, there are several key differences between them:
1. Government Fees and Tax Residency: The government fee for the MGRP is significantly lower than that for the MPRP. However, under the MGRP, you must become a Maltese tax resident and pay an annual tax of €15,000.
- In simple terms, the minimum theoretical investment for the MGRP is €34,950 for the rental option and €271,000 for the property purchase option.
- For the MPRP, the minimum theoretical investment is €184,000 for the rental option and €384,000 for the property purchase option.
2. Type of Visa Issued: The MGRP issues a one-year renewable visa, while the MPRP issues a permanent residence visa.
3. Tax Benefits: MGRP participants can benefit from certain tax relief measures in Malta, whereas MPRP participants must adhere to Maltese tax policies without any tax exemptions.
Will my children lose their permanent residency when they become adults under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
As long as you can prove they are financially dependent, your children can retain their permanent residency.
Do I need to visit the country to apply for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
Yes, all primary and secondary applicants must enter Malta at least once to provide biometric data such as fingerprints.
Can I change properties under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
Yes, under the MPRP, you can purchase or rent a new property. You just need to ensure that the new property meets the MPRP requirements and that your agent updates the property information with the authorities.
Useful Links:
The Rsidency Malta Agency：https://residencymalta.gov.mt/