Moving to Malta
5 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
Keep your job, work remotely
Malta Digital Nomad Visa
Nomad Residence Permit
Remote workers for foreign employers or clients earning EUR 42,000+ gross a year who want up to 4 years in an English-speaking EU country.
- What you need
- Minimum gross annual income for the main applicant (applications before 1 Apr 2024 keep EUR 32,400). (EUR 42,000 a year)
- Work remotely for an employer registered outside Malta, or as a freelancer/partner for foreign clients or companies.
- Health insurance covering risks in the EU (including Malta) and the UK, meeting the minimum benefits table.
- Valid property rental or purchase agreement in Malta.
- Background check / police conduct certificate (per checklist).
- Not for
- Work for Maltese employers or clients
- People seeking permanent residence or citizenship (the permit does not lead to either)
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Online via the Residency Malta portal (portal.residencymalta.gov.mt). Visa-exempt nationals (US, Canada, UK, Australia) can apply from abroad or while in Malta.
- How long it takes
- About 30 working days from the fee receipt (official FAQ); card 3-4 weeks after biometrics.
- First permit
- 1 year from card issue.
- Renewal
- Renewable 3 times at the Agency's discretion, up to 4 years in total.
- Family
- Dependants (spouse/partner, children) can be included; extra income per dependant not stated on the official pages.
Retire or live on savings
Malta GRP
Global Residence Programme (S.L. 123.148)
Non-EU people with foreign income who rent or buy property in Malta and want a 15% flat tax on foreign income remitted to Malta.
- What you need
- Buy a qualifying property in Malta, or EUR 220,000 in Gozo or the south of Malta. (EUR 275,000 a lump_sum)
- Or rent a qualifying property in Malta at this minimum, or EUR 8,750 a year in Gozo or the south. (EUR 9,600 a year)
- Stable and regular resources sufficient to support yourself and dependants without social assistance (no fixed figure).
- Sickness insurance covering all risks across the EU for you and dependants.
- Able to communicate adequately in English or Maltese.
- Must be a third-country national (not EU, EEA or Swiss); apply through an authorised registered mandatary; must not stay in any other single jurisdiction more than 183 days a year.
- Not for
- EU, EEA and Swiss nationals
- People who want to work in Malta on this status (it is a tax status; a residence permit is obtained separately)
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Application to the Commissioner for Tax and Customs through an authorised registered mandatary; residence permit then handled with Residency Malta / Identity Malta.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated.
- First permit
- Special tax status continues while conditions are met; residence permit term not verified.
- Renewal
- Annual tax returns and minimum tax; status lost if conditions lapse.
- Family
- Spouse and dependent children covered by the 15% rate; dependants listed in the application.
Retire or live on savings
Malta Retirement Programme (MRP)
Malta Retirement Programme (S.L. 123.134)
Pensioners (EU or non-EU) whose pension is at least 75% of their income and who will live in Malta at least 90 days a year.
- What you need
- A pension received in Malta that makes up at least 75% of chargeable income.
- Buy a qualifying property in Malta, or EUR 220,000 in Gozo or the south. (EUR 275,000 a lump_sum)
- Or rent at this minimum in Malta, or EUR 8,750 a year in Gozo or the south. (EUR 9,600 a year)
- Sickness insurance covering all risks across the EU.
- Not a Maltese national; not domiciled in Malta and no intention to become so within 5 years; reside in Malta at least 90 days a year averaged over 5 years and not more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction.
- Not for
- Maltese nationals
- People whose income is mainly not pension
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Through an authorised registered mandatary to the Commissioner for Tax and Customs; non-EU residence permit handled separately.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated.
- First permit
- Tax status continues while conditions are met.
- Renewal
- Annual compliance.
- Family
- Spouse and dependants covered; EUR 500 minimum tax per dependant.
Family roots
Maltese citizenship by descent
Citizenship by registration for descendants (Maltese Citizenship Act, Cap. 188, 2007 amendments)
Descendants (any generation) of a person born in Malta whose own parent was also born in Malta.
- What you need
- Direct-line descendant of an ascendant born in Malta of a parent likewise born in Malta (two consecutive Malta-born generations). Second and later generations born abroad qualify.
- Full birth certificate; marriage certificate if applicable; passport; one photo; birth and marriage certificates of the ascendants. Third and later generations: death certificate of any deceased Malta-born ascendant and their registration certificate where applicable. Foreign or church records accepted when not at the Public Registry.
- No language requirement stated.
- Not for
- People whose Maltese ancestor was the only Malta-born generation
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Forms K and M to Aġenzija Komunità Malta; applicants abroad go through a Maltese embassy or high commission, where oaths can be taken.
- How long it takes
- Not stated.
- First permit
- Not a permit; citizenship from the date of the registration certificate.
- Renewal
- Not applicable.
0 - Family
- Minors via the person with parental authority.
Invest
Malta MPRP (permanent residence by investment)
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (S.L. 217.26)
Non-EU families with EUR 500,000+ in assets who want immediate permanent residence and will pay about EUR 100,000+ in fees and contributions.
- What you need
- Non-refundable administrative fee. (EUR 60,000 a lump_sum)
- Government contribution. (EUR 37,000 a lump_sum)
- Rent a qualifying residential property (Malta or Gozo) at this minimum, or buy one for at least EUR 375,000; keep it 5 years, then keep a residence in Malta. (EUR 14,000 a year)
- Capital assets of at least EUR 500,000 including at least EUR 150,000 in financial assets, or EUR 650,000 including at least EUR 75,000 in financial assets. (EUR 500,000 a lump_sum)
- Donation to a local NGO registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations. (EUR 2,000 a lump_sum)
- Stable, regular income to support yourself and dependants without social assistance.
- Health insurance covering Malta and other European countries.
- Clean criminal record; due diligence.
- Not for
- EEA and Swiss nationals
- Nationals of sanctioned countries
- People expecting citizenship (Malta's citizenship-by-investment route is gone)
- Where you apply
- From home or inside the country. Only through a Residency Malta licensed agent.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated.
- First permit
- Permanent residence; card valid 5 years.
- Renewal
- Card renewed every 5 years while the property is maintained.
- Family
- Spouse, children and dependants can be included; EUR 7,500 per adult dependant other than the spouse; EUR 500 card fee per person.