Malta Residency Requirements and Application Process Explained

Malta offers several pathways to long-term residency and even citizenship, but it imposes various requirements on applicants. The Residency Malta Agency conducts thorough due diligence, so meeting all the conditions without guidance may be overwhelming.

To help you obtain Maltese residency more effortlessly, this guide will cover:

• The most notable Malta residency requirements
• Available residency programs
• A step-by-step residency application process
• Common residency application challenges you may encounter

5 Key Requirements for Residency in Malta

The most important requirements you must meet to become a Maltese resident include:

1. Health insurance and medical requirements
2. Financial solvency
3. Accommodation
4. Documentation standards
5. Fitness and properness

1. Health Insurance and Medical Requirements

At the time of applying for Maltese residency, you must prove that you and your dependents are in good health and won’t be a burden on Malta’s healthcare system. You can do so by obtaining a medical certificate that the Residency Malta Agency will find satisfactory.

You must also have a robust health insurance policy that meets the following criteria:

• Coverage of at least €100,000
• Coverage of medical treatment and hospitalization in Malta (and other EU countries)
• Validity for at least the first year of residency

These requirements are applicable to both the initial application and residency permit renewals, so you must maintain your policy continuously. If your policy expires and you fail to renew it in a timely manner, your residency permit may be revoked.

2. Financial Solvency

Expats to Malta should not rely solely on the country’s public assistance programs, so you must demonstrate adequate personal wealth or income that ensures you can continuously sustain yourself and your dependents.

The specific amount of funds you must secure varies between residency programs and your nationality. For instance, EU nationals registering under Maltese rules must prove resources equivalent to Maltese social assistance levels.

Meanwhile, third-country nationals applying through programs like Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) must demonstrate net assets of at least €500,000, €150,000 of which must be liquid.

Regardless of the selected residency pathway, the Residency Malta Agency will require you to provide documents such as:

• Bank statements
• Investment portfolios
• Pension documentation

3. Accommodation

Stable accommodation is mandatory for completing any Malta residency program. You must either purchase or rent a qualifying property in Malta or Gozo, which you will maintain throughout your residency period.

The property you acquire must be adequate for you and your dependents, and it needs to meet Maltese safety and housing standards. The value of the property depends on your selected program, with third-party nationals having two options as per the MPRP:

1. Buying a property of at least €375,000
2. Renting for a minimum of €14,000 per year

In most cases, you will demonstrate accommodation through a standard lease agreement (signed by tenant and landlord) or property deed registered with the Housing Authority. 

4. Documentation Standards

Maltese residency applications require original or certified documents. Regardless of the chosen program, you will need to provide:

• Proof of identity (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)
• Valid passport
• Statement of Source of Funds & Wealth
• Evidence of residential address abroad
• Police certificate
• Legal entry documentation (e.g., qualifying visas)
• Medical certificate issued by a licensed physician (confirming general good health and absence of communicable diseases)
• Proof of financial standing

All forms and affidavits must be completed in English. Non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator. 

5. Fitness and Properness

As a part of its due diligence process, the Maltese government conducts a fitness and properness test that aims to assess the applicant’s character and overall suitability for residency through four categories:

1. Competence
2. Reputation
3. Conflict of interest and independence of mind
4. Time commitment

The most important aspect of the test is the applicant’s criminal background, with the authorities particularly focusing on a history of:

• Financial crimes (e.g., money laundering)
• Human rights violations
• War crimes or terrorism

If there are any concerns regarding the applicant’s potential negative impact on Maltese public safety, the application will most likely be rejected.

Most of the criteria for the fitness and properness test will be demonstrated through the application and the attached documentation, so the due diligence process shouldn’t involve you directly.

Malta Residence Options: Program Details and Requirements

Besides the general residency requirements, you will need to meet the conditions of your chosen residence program. Malta offers various schemes for individuals and families with different nationalities and relocation goals, with the following three being the most popular:

1. Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
2. Global Residence Programme (GRP)
3. The Residence Programme (TRP)

Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

The MPRP was launched in 2021 as a replacement for the Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP). It’s aimed at third-country (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) investors who wish to purchase or rent a property in Malta to obtain a long-term residence permit.

Besides making a qualifying property acquisition (a purchase of a minimum of €375,000 or a €14,000 annual rent), you must pay several fees and contributions:

Fee	Amount
Administration fee	€60,000 + €7,500 for each dependent
Government contribution	€37,000
Charitable donation	€2,000

During the first five years of residency, you may not sell, sublet, or lease out the property. The only exception is if you leave Malta temporarily, in which case the Residency Malta Agency may permit you to lease it out for the period of absence.

You’re allowed to dispose of the property after the initial five-year period, but you must purchase or rent another property in Malta to maintain your residency. 

You also need to maintain sufficient financial solvency throughout your residence in Malta. In practical terms, this means your capital should not drop below €500,000, and you should have at least €150,000 in liquid assets at all times. 

Global Residence Programme (GRP)

The GRP allows non‑EU/EEA/Swiss individuals to obtain Maltese residency under a preferential tax status.

By completing the program, you become eligible for a flat 15% tax on foreign-sourced income remitted to Malta. Foreign income that remains outside of Malta is not taxed, so you can optimize your tax position by deciding which income sources you wish to remit.

Regardless of your income, you will need to pay a fixed minimum tax of €15,000 annually, which covers all of your tax obligations. Although a high-net-worth individual’s tax is typically above the minimum, you should take it into account when planning income remittance.

The most notable requirement for the GRP is the purchase or rent of a qualifying property, with the thresholds depending on the property’s location:

Location	Purchase Minimum	Rent Minimum (Annually)
South of Malta	€220,000	€8,750
Rest of Malta	€275,000	€9,600
Gozo	€220,000	€8,750

Additional conditions for completing the GRP include:

• Sufficient income to support yourself and dependents without relying on the social system
• Adequate knowledge of Maltese or English
• No participation in other residency programs

Once you obtain the initial residence permit, it will be valid for one year from the issuance date. You can then renew the permit for subsequent two-year periods indefinitely.

The Residence Programme (TRP)

The Residence Programme is similar to the GRP, except it applies to EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Eligible applicants can leverage the same 15% tax rate on income remitted to Malta, and the €15,000 minimum tax applies.

The main difference between the TRP and GRP is in the duration of the residence permit. While GRP applicants receive a one-year permit initially, a successful TRP application provides a five-year permit (renewable for subsequent five-year periods).

As for the requirements, they’re virtually the same as for the GRP. The property rent and purchase minimums do not differ, and EU nationals need to undergo the same extensive due diligence that applicants from third countries are subject to.

Additional Residence Programs in Malta

Besides the three most prevalent residence programs, Malta provides additional schemes for different categories of individuals. The following table briefly outlines the available options:

Program	Target Audience	Requirements
Nomad Residence Permit	Remote workers from third countries	Work with companies abroad Minimum annual income of €42,000 Valid property rental or purchase agreement
Malta Startup Residence Programme	Third-country entrepreneurs and innovators	A tangible investment and/or paid-up share capital of at least €25,000 A business in innovative fields Registration no older than seven years
Malta Retirement Programme	EU/EEA/Swiss pensioners	A pension received in Malta Property ownership (from €220,000) or rent (from €8,750)

If you are unsure about the type of program that would suit your needs and relocation requirements, it’s best to consult a financial expert. They can help identify the program that meets your relocation and lifestyle goals based on your current financial and professional standing.

A Step-by-Step Malta Residency Application Process

While the specifics of the application procedure can vary between Malta’s residency programs, the general steps are as follows:

1. Engage a licensed agent: Most residency program applications require a licensed agent who will represent you and submit the necessary filings. The Residency Malta Agency maintains an official list of agents you can consult
2. Submit the initial application: Your agent will assist in completing the applicable application forms and gathering the necessary documentation. At this stage, you may also pay certain fees (e.g., the first installment of the €60,000 administration fee for the MPRP)
3. Undergo due diligence: After the application is submitted, the Residency Malta Agency and related governing authorities will perform the necessary background checks, verify the submitted documents, and perform the fitness and properness test
4. Receive approval in principle: If there are no issues during the due diligence stage, you will receive approval in principle. This means you qualify for residency, pending any outstanding requirements
5. Satisfy the remaining conditions: After receiving approval in principle, you should meet the requirements corresponding to your chosen program (e.g., purchasing or renting a qualifying property)
6. Obtain final certification: Upon meeting all the necessary requirements, you will receive a residency certificate. You can then use the certificate to obtain a residence permit after providing your biometrics to the Maltese government

You can consult your agent for any procedural nuances regarding a specific program. They should assist you with all the related processes, so make sure to find a competent agent with experience in handling cases similar to yours.

Can You Obtain Maltese Citizenship After Becoming a Resident?

Unfortunately, the MPRP or GRP don’t automatically qualify you for citizenship by naturalization in Malta. You generally become eligible for Maltese citizenship by naturalization after residing in the country for a minimum of five years. The five-year period doesn’t need to be consecutive, and there are two rules to follow:

1. You have resided in Malta for 12 consecutive months before the application date
2. Prior to those 12 months, you have been a resident for a total of four of the previous six years

You also need two sponsors who can attest to your character to become a citizen. Sponsors cannot be relatives and may include any of the following:

• An advocate
• A member of the Parliament
• A medical practitioner
• A legal procurator
• A parish priest

There are other categories of individuals who can act as sponsors, but they must all be individuals of a solid reputation.

Additional citizenship requirements you must meet include:

• Good character (which includes the absence of a criminal record and good reputation)
• Adequate knowledge of Maltese or English
• Suitability for citizenship as determined by the Commissioner

You can submit a citizenship application to the Residency Malta Agency on behalf of yourself and your minor children. The application fee is €450, with another €50 for certificate issuance if you are granted citizenship.

Note that obtaining citizenship in Malta is entirely at the discretion of the Maltese government. You can be rejected even if meeting all the criteria, and the Minister is not required to provide an explanation for the refusal. Also, even though you are technically eligible to apply for citizenship after five years of residency, it is extremely rare to get the approval that quickly. The most likely scenario involves a decade of established residency before you may be granted citizenship.

Malta allows dual citizenship, so you do not need to renounce your original one. You can maintain your current passport and obtain a Maltese one to take advantage of free travel across the Schengen Area.

The Challenges of Meeting the Malta Permanent Residence Requirements

When seeking Maltese residency, you may encounter various obstacles, most notably:

• Considerable investment thresholds: Malta’s residency programs aren’t among the most affordable ones, so you must conduct comprehensive financial planning before deciding to invest your capital in one
• Complex documentation: The application process is meticulous and requires extensive documentation, including proof of income, clean criminal records, and a comprehensive health insurance policy
• Ongoing compliance: After meeting the residency requirements, you must ensure that your crucial circumstances remain relatively unchanged throughout the residency period to prevent your residence permit from being revoked
• Citizenship complexities: Maltese residency does not guarantee citizenship. Naturalization requires a separate, potentially lengthy process with additional requirements (most notably those regarding sponsorship)

None of these challenges should discourage you from pursuing Maltese residency, given the notable benefits of obtaining it. This is especially true when enlisting professional guidance, which can make the application process significantly simpler and faster.

Obtain Maltese Residency Effortlessly With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals relocate to their target countries with minimal legal and administrative complexities. To date, our advisors have helped over 1,500 individuals and families effectively achieve their relocation goals.

We have done so through our Action Plan—an elaborate, personalized strategy built on your unique financial and lifestyle circumstances. The Plan encompasses all the processes necessary to complete the relocation and fulfill your financial objectives through careful wealth management.

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1. You fill out a simple questionnaire that determines whether we are a good fit
2. We conduct an onboarding call to gather all the necessary details about your current situation and goals
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5. We provide lifetime support for any changes or updates to the Plan

Considering that our team handles the bureaucracy related to your expatriation, you can focus on its more enjoyable and fulfilling aspects. Once the process is complete, you can rely on Nomad Capitalist for any guidance you may need.

The Action Plan is designed for individuals who are ready to make impactful changes in their lives. If you are among them, get your Plan today.