Malta Golden Visa, Malta Permanent Residency by Investment, Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP), Malta Residency by Investment (RBI), Malta PR by Investment, Malta Investor Visa, Malta Investment Visa, MPRP, Malta Economic Residency, Malta Real Estate Investment, Malta Real Estate Lease/Rental, Malta Property Investment, Malta Property Lease/Rental, Malta Donation, Malta Second Residency, Malta tax

Malta Golden Visa - Permanent Residency by Investment Program 2026
A Complete Guide

Minimum: EUR 169,000 +

Processing Time: 6 - 8 months

Return to Golden Visa (Residency by Investment) Countries 2026

Introduction

The Malta Golden Visa, also promoted as Malta Permanent Residency by Investment or the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP), is the country’s leading investor-residence route for non-EU nationals. It provides a secure EU foothold, Schengen travel benefits, an English-speaking environment, and access to Malta’s high-quality lifestyle and business opportunities. After the 2024–2025 rulings of the EU’s highest court against Malta’s former citizenship-by-investment scheme (often referred to as the “golden passport”), residency-by-investment pathways such as the MPRP or Malta PR by Investment have become the only lawful and practical routes for applicants seeking long-term relocation. These programs balance investor contributions with regulatory safeguards, offering a structured, transparent, and compliant process.

Country Profile

Malta is a small yet strategically significant EU member state, made up of the islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Its official languages are Maltese and English, with English widely used in business, education, and government. As part of both the EU and the Schengen Area, Malta offers convenient access to continental Europe. This is particularly appealing to entrepreneurs, retirees, remote workers, and internationally mobile families.

Although geographically compact, Malta boasts modern infrastructure, a strong financial services sector, expanding tech and gaming industries, and excellent healthcare and education systems. Its Mediterranean climate and rich cultural history add to its attractiveness. Consequently, Malta frequently appears in searches for terms such as Malta Investor Visa, Malta Investment Visa, Malta Economic Residency, and Malta Second Residency.

Residency is administered through structured programs like the MPRP, which operate under clear legal frameworks. Updated guidance is regularly published by Maltese authorities, and applications must be submitted via licensed and authorised agents to ensure compliance, transparency, and robust due diligence.

Official Name: Republic of Malta
Capital: Valletta
Population: Approximately 525,000 (as of recent estimates)
Area: 316 square kilometres (122 sq. mi)
Location: An archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of Italy and north of Libya.
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Official Languages: Maltese, English
Spoken Languages: Maltese (predominantly), English, Italian
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC +1; Daylight Saving Time: UTC +2
Driving Side: Left
Climate: Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Average temperatures range from 57°F (14°C) in January to 86°F (30°C) in August.
Government: Parliamentary republic
Major Industries: Tourism, financial services, manufacturing, shipbuilding
Main Exports: Machinery and mechanical appliances, pharmaceuticals, electronic components
Famous For: Historic sites like Valletta (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Megalithic Temples, Azure Window (collapsed in 2017)
Motto: "Repubblika ta' Malta" ("Republic of Malta")

Financial Requirements

Applicants to the Malta Permanent Residence Program must meet a combination of investment, contribution, and financial proof requirements. These obligations demonstrate both a commitment to Malta and the applicant’s financial capacity.

Real-estate component (purchase or lease): Applicants must purchase a qualifying property worth at least €375,000 or lease a qualifying property at a minimum annual rent of €14,000 for five years. These unified thresholds replace older regional variations. This investment secures compliance and can also serve as a strategic property asset in the Maltese real estate market.

State contribution & administration fees: Applicants must pay a state contribution of approximately €37,000 and a non-refundable administrative fee of around €60,000 for the principal applicant. These may be payable in instalments depending on program rules and are the largest cost items under the scheme.

Charitable donation: A minimum donation of €2,000 to a registered Maltese NGO is required, supporting local social initiatives and underlining Malta’s community focus.

Dependent/family fees & asset evidence: Adult dependents typically require an additional fee of around €7,500 per person. Applicants must also prove adequate financial standing, usually a net worth of €500,000–€650,000, with a specified portion in liquid assets to ensure financial flexibility.

General Requirements

Beyond financial obligations, applicants must meet strict non-financial criteria:

The principal applicant must be a non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss national, over 18 years old.

Applicants must hold a clean criminal record and undergo comprehensive due diligence. This includes AML screening and verification of source of funds, supported by documentation such as audited accounts, bank statements, or notarised agreements.

Applicants and dependents must hold valid health insurance covering Malta.

The required property purchase or lease must be maintained for at least five years. Applicants must also comply with renewal, reporting, and other ongoing obligations. In certain cases, temporary residence permits may be issued during the application process, easing relocation.

Family Inclusion

Family participation is one of the strongest features of the Malta Permanent Residence Program:

Eligible family members: Spouses or long-term partners, dependent children (up to age 29 if financially dependent), and dependent parents or grandparents can be included if dependency is proven.

Cost structure: The principal applicant pays the main contributions and fees. Spouses and minor children are often included without full additional contributions, while adult dependents typically attract reduced fees of about €7,500 each.

Family benefits: Included family members gain access to Maltese education and healthcare services and the right to legal residence. They also enjoy Schengen travel freedoms while the permit is valid, supporting long-term family and multi-generational relocation plans.

Benefits

The Malta PR by Investment program offers a wide range of benefits, making it one of Europe’s most attractive investor-residency options:

EU & Schengen access: Simplifies short-term travel across the Schengen Area, which is particularly advantageous for nationals with restricted passports.

English-speaking environment: Malta’s bilingual culture makes integration easy for applicants and families from English-speaking countries.

Family security & relocation: The program allows entire families to move together, providing stability in education, healthcare, and lifestyle.

Tax and business opportunities: Malta offers a stable EU regulatory framework and business-friendly environment. Applicants should seek professional advice to understand personal tax implications.

Legal certainty: With citizenship-by-investment discontinued, the MPRP is Malta’s sole structured investor-residency program, offering clear rules and long-term legal security.

Process & Procedures

The Malta PR application process is structured but may vary in length depending on documentation and due diligence:

1. Initial assessment & advisor engagement: Applicants appoint a licensed Maltese agent or lawyer who conducts eligibility screening and prepares the application dossier.

2. Investment choice: Applicants select their preferred route—property purchase or lease—and prepare contracts or deeds accordingly.

3. Application submission & initial fees: The licensed agent submits the full application and pays initial contributions and fees. In some cases, applicants may receive a temporary residence permit at this stage.

4. Due diligence: Authorities conduct extensive checks, including AML, background verifications, and source-of-funds reviews. This is often the lengthiest stage.

5. Final approval & issuance: Once approved, applicants pay remaining contributions and donations. They receive the residence certificate and cards, and property commitments are confirmed.

6. Ongoing compliance & renewals: Applicants must uphold property or rental obligations, maintain health insurance, and comply with renewal procedures and Maltese regulations.

Conclusion

Following the ECJ rulings, the term “Malta Golden Visa” now refers to permanent residency rather than citizenship. Malta’s Permanent Residence Program is the country’s legitimate, structured investor-residency pathway. It requires real estate purchase or rental, state contributions, charitable donations, and stringent due diligence.

The program combines legal certainty, family inclusivity, and EU stability, making it a compelling choice for globally mobile investors. For prospective applicants, the key steps are to consult an authorised Residency Malta agent, evaluate property purchase versus rental options, and seek tax and family planning advice. Above all, applicants should confirm exact financial thresholds and compliance obligations with the latest Legal Notices to ensure smooth and accurate execution.

FAQs

1. What is the “Malta Golden Visa”? / What is the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP)?

The “Malta Golden Visa” is a commonly used market name for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). This programme is Malta’s official residency-by-investment route, allowing non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to obtain permanent residence in Malta by fulfilling property, contribution, and due-diligence requirements. The programme is operated by the Residency Malta Agency and regulated under S.L. 217.26, as amended by Legal Notice 146 of 2025. Approved applicants gain the right to reside indefinitely in Malta, enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone, and include eligible family members in their application.

2. Who is eligible for the Malta PR by Investment (MPRP)?

Applicants must be:

Nationals of third countries (outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland).
At least 18 years of age.
Able to pass strict due-diligence and “fit and proper” tests.
Capable of demonstrating lawful assets and income.
Committed to completing the full investment package.

3. Can family members be included?

Yes. Dependants that can be included are:

Spouse or long-term partner in a legally recognized relationship.
Children, including minors and certain dependent adult children.
Parents and grandparents of the applicant or spouse, provided they are financially dependent.

Some dependants may be exempt from specific fees, as outlined in the regulations.

4. What are the qualifying property options?

Applicants can either:

a) Purchase a residential property with a minimum value of €375,000.

b) Lease a qualifying property with an annual rent of at least €14,000.

The chosen property must be held for a minimum of five years. Both Malta and Gozo properties qualify, provided they meet the definitions set by the Residency Malta Agency.

5. Can I rent first and buy later?

Yes. Reforms introduced in 2025 allow applicants to begin with a rental property and later transition to ownership. Increased flexibility now exists for subletting and leasing arrangements, though final approval depends on official Agency guidelines.

6. What are the government contributions & fees?

Under Legal Notice 146 of 2025, the financial obligations are:

Administration fee (main applicant): €60,000 (€15,000 payable at submission, €45,000 after approval-in-principle).
Administration fee per dependant: €7,500 (with exemptions for certain categories).
Government contribution: €37,000 (flat, regardless of property choice).
Mandatory donation: €2,000 to a registered Maltese NGO.

Note: All contributions, fees, and donations are non-refundable. Only property resale after the five-year holding period may return funds.

7. Do I need proof of funds?

Yes. Applicants must prove sufficient lawful assets. Typically, evidence of at least €500,000 in assets is required, with a portion (commonly €150,000 +) in liquid form. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, investment account summaries, and lawful income records. The Residency Malta Agency provides an official checklist of required documents.

8. What checks are carried out?

Applicants face a multi-tiered due-diligence process, including:

Criminal background checks across jurisdictions.
Verification of assets and income sources.
Cross-agency checks with law enforcement and financial authorities.
Reputation and integrity assessments.

9. Is health insurance required?

Yes. All applicants and dependants must hold valid health insurance covering them in Malta. Minimum coverage levels are specified by the Residency Malta Agency.

10. What is the application process & timeline?

a) Engage a licensed agent (mandatory for all applications).

b) Gather required documents (passports, civil certificates, bank statements, proof of funds, police records, insurance, property contracts, etc).

c) Submit the application with the €15,000 initial fee.

d) Agency conducts due diligence and background checks.

e) If successful, the applicant receives Approval-in-Principle (AIP).

f) Pay remaining fees: €45,000 administration fee, €37,000 contribution, €2,000 donation. Finalize property arrangements.

g) Travel to Malta for biometrics. Receive a Certificate of Residence upon final approval.

Processing typically takes 3–12 months. Well-prepared applications are often completed within 4–8 months. A temporary one-year residence permit can be issued early, allowing relocation during processing.

11. What are the rules governing property holding & resale?

Properties must be held or leased for at least five years.
After this period, properties may be sold or leases terminated.

12. Does MPRP allow Schengen travel?

Yes. Holders of a Maltese permanent residence card can travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period . This is distinct from holding Maltese citizenship.

13. Can I work in Malta?

Yes. MPRP holders may live and work in Malta. However, some regulated professions (e.g., medicine, finance, law) may require additional licensing or permits.

14. Does MPRP make me a Maltese tax resident?

No. MPRP status does not automatically confer tax residency. Maltese tax residency is determined separately, usually by spending at least 183 days in Malta annually or establishing Malta as a centre of vital interests.

15. What are Malta’s main tax features for residents?

Malta follows the resident non-domiciled (non-dom) system:

Foreign income is taxed only when remitted to Malta.
Foreign capital gains are generally exempt, even if remitted.
Malta’s network of double taxation treaties may further reduce tax obligations.

Professional tax advice is strongly recommended.

16. Is MPRP the same as citizenship?

No. The MPRP grants permanent residence, not citizenship. Malta’s previous citizenship-by-investment programmes (so-called “golden passports”) have been restricted following EU rulings.

17. Can MPRP lead to citizenship?

Possibly. Long-term residence and integration in Malta may lead to naturalisation under standard citizenship laws. However, naturalisation is discretionary, requires substantial residence and integration, and is not guaranteed.

18. What else should I know?

Parents or grandparents can be included if financially dependent.
The programme imposes no minimum stay requirement, though property and compliance obligations must always be met.
Residence cards are biometric and must be renewed periodically.
Application forms and official checklists are provided by the Residency Malta Agency via its website.

Regulatory change risk: The MPRP is governed by statute and may be amended. Updates in Nov 2024 and Jul 2025 demonstrate this.
Due diligence risk: Applications may be refused if criminal activity, incomplete documentation, or misrepresentation is uncovered.
Tax risk: Residency does not equal tax residency. Independent Maltese tax advice is strongly advised before relocating or transferring assets.
Best first step: Engage a licensed agent and consult the Residency Malta Agency’s official guidance and legal notices before applying.

Malta Golden Visa - Permanent Residency by Investment Program 2026 A Complete Guide