Malta is among the few countries which provide permanent residency by investment. Foreigners who don’t have an EU, EEA or Swiss passport can apply for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP).

Julia Loko, an investment programs expert at Immigrant Invest, details the programme conditions.

What is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?

MPRP is an option for investors who would like to relocate to a country in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

Applicants must make several investments. They buy or rent real estate, pay government fees, and make a charitable donation. They must meet all these conditions, only choosing between buying and renting a property.

They also prove their assets are worth at least €500,000. The sum includes €150,000 in deposits, stocks or bonds.

Why is Permanent Residency In Malta a Good Option?

• Living in Malta and travelling across Europe. A permanent resident can stay in Malta for as long as they want. They also can spend 90 out of 180 days in the Schengen Area countries without a visa.
• Investors become Malta tax residents. They must live in the country for more than 6 months per year for that. Malta’s tax system may be attractive compared to other states. For example, there is a 0% tax on income earned abroad. However, there are no special tax benefits for investors.
• The application can include the investor’s family members. Spouses, children, parents and grandparents can enjoy the same benefits, like an opportunity to receive medical treatment in local clinics and study in schools and universities.

Who is eligible to apply for Malta permanent residency by investment?

The programme is available to those who meet the following requirements:

● be over 18;

● be a non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss citizen;

● have a legal income;

● have no criminal records or criminal prosecutions;

● have no visa denials from countries that have a visa-waiver regime with Malta;

● have health insurance.

Investors can also include the following family members in the application:

● a spouse or partner;

● children under 18;

● children over 18, unmarried, and principally dependent on the main applicant;

● principally dependent parents or grandparents of either applicant or spouse.

How expensive is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?

The costs depend on how the applicant makes the real estate investment. It must be kept for at least 5 years in any case.

If the investor chooses to rent, the property must cost at least €10,000 per year in the south of Malta and on the island of Gozo. In other areas, the rent must be €12,000 per year.

Other expenses include:

● €40,000 as an administrative fee;

● €58,000, plus €7,500 for each parent or grandparent, as a contribution fee;

● €2,000 as a donation.

In case of purchasing a property, it must be worth at least €300,000 in the south of Malta and on the island of Gozo and €350,000 in all the other regions.

Other investment conditions remain the same, except the contribution fee. It stands at a minimum of €28,000.

What is the application process? How long does it take?

First, the investor undergoes a preliminary check to improve the chance of success. Then, the applicant gathers all the necessary documents. The list usually includes passports, birth and marriage certificates, bank statements, etc.

As the documents are submitted, the Residency Malta Agency conducts Due Diligence for four to six months. After receiving the approval, the applicant must fulfil the investment conditions, which can take up to eight months.

After completing the investment, the applicants travel to Malta to submit biometrics for residence permit cards, usually issued in six weeks.

Overall, the process takes at least six months from applying to receiving the residence permit cards.

For five years after obtaining residency, the Residency Malta Agency conducts an annual check to determine whether the investor continues to meet the programme conditions: rents or owns a residential property in Malta and has assets of €500,000 at the disposal.

Can you get permanent residency in Malta in any other way?

Normally, a foreigner lives in Malta for 5 years to become a permanent resident. They can do that with a temporary residence permit.

Temporary residence can be granted to those who come to Malta for work or education. Family members of Malta residents and citizens can also get the document. The procedure usually takes between 6 and 8 months.

How can Immigrant Invest help Malta permanent residence applicants?

Investors can only apply via a licenced agent, such as Immigrant Invest, to make sure they meet the programme conditions.

Our lawyers assist clients at every stage, from collecting documents to obtaining a permanent residence card. If something goes wrong at any point, we offer an individual solution.