MaltaResidence permit

Family reunification in Malta

A migration route for third-country nationals lawfully resident in Malta that allows them to bring family members over from abroad. It is governed by the dedicated subsidiary legislation on family reunification (the main route) and by the Family Members Policy (the alternative for those who do not meet the standard criteria). The sponsor must meet the requirements on income, accommodation and insurance. Family members may obtain a residence permit for at least a year, renewable.

Threshold

The fee for a new application and for a renewal is 50 euros.

Processing time

The law allows 9 months for a decision. Identità closes ordinary cases in 60 days.

Source: Identità Malta (identita.gov.mt)

Two routes depending on the sponsor's status

Choose the route that fits, depending on the time you have spent in Malta and your employment status.

Standard route (SL 217.06)

You have lived in Malta continuously for at least 2 years
You hold a valid residence permit
You meet the requirements on income and insurance
You bring a spouse or children over from abroad

Alternative route (Family Members Policy)

You have lived in Malta for at least 12 months
Holders of Key/Specialist Employee permits may apply sooner
Higher income requirements (€18,940 basic threshold)
Assessed faster (60 days as a rule)

When the programme will not suit you

The family is already in Malta

Children born in Malta are covered by the programme; for other family members contact Identità to clarify their status

You urgently need your family members to start work

Family Reunification gives no right to work — a separate permit (a Single Permit or another) is needed for employment

You have no stable income or insurance

Make sure your income meets the minimum and that you hold a health insurance policy for at least €100,000

What it costs

New Family Reunification or Family Members applicationFiled through the Expatriates Unit Portal	50 EUR
Renewal of the permitForm G.02 for Family Reunification	50 EUR
Naturalisation of a family memberPlus €50 when the certificate is issued; filed at Aġenzija Komunità Malta after 12 continuous months in Malta and 4 years in total over 6 years	+450 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Naturalisation of a family member” adds 450 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	100–550 EUR

Paid separately

Visa — Third-country family members may need a visa to enter Malta; the fee depends on their country of nationality

Documents to gather

The minimum standard set for both programmes; further documents may be requested during the checks.

Passport or similar travel document (valid for at least 8 months)
Form G.01 (new Family Reunification application) or G.02 (renewal)
Marriage certificate (if the sponsor is bringing over a spouse)
Children's birth certificates
Documents on the sponsor's income (salary certificates, pension documents, bank statements)
Health insurance policy with cover of at least €100,000
Address of residence in Malta (rental contract, proof of ownership of the property)
Criminal-record certificate (for the Family Members Policy)

How the process runs

The procedure for filing and assessing the application (approximate timelines).

1
Preparing the documents and checking the requirements
2–3 weeks
Gather the family members' passports, the marriage/birth documents, income certificates and insurance. Make sure the income meets the minimum: for Family Reunification see the requirements in SL 217.06; for the Family Members Policy — €18,940 plus 20% for each family member. On the date of filing the family members must be outside Malta.
2
Filing the application online
1 day
Log in to the Expatriates Portal with an e-ID or by an alternative method. Complete form G.01 (new application) or G.02 (renewal). Attach all the documents electronically. Pay the €50 fee. You receive an application number for tracking.
3
Assessment of the application
60 days (as a rule); up to 9 months (by law)
Identità checks the documents and reviews income and insurance. Additional information may be requested if needed. Status updates are available through the Expatriates Portal.
4
Issue of the permit and receipt of the residence permit
3–5 days
Once approved, a permit is issued for at least one year (the first permit is usually for 1 year, later ones for the period of the sponsor's permit or without limit as long as the conditions are met). The family member may travel to Malta on this permit.
5
Registration and formalities on arrival
1–2 weeks
The family member registers in Malta's civil registration system. Where necessary a local ID card is issued for uninterrupted residence and access to public services.

Timelines and rights

Work

The permit itself gives no right to work. To take up employment, a spouse or an adult child obtains a separate permit — for example a Single Permit.

Who you can bring with you

The family members who can be brought to Malta under this programme.

Spouse or official partner

At least 21 years of age. The marriage must be monogamous. They must not be resident in Malta on the date the application is filed.

Children

Under 18 (on the date the application is filed). This covers biological and adopted children. They must not be married. On the date of filing they must be outside Malta (exception: those born in Malta).

Dependants (Family Members Policy)

Adult family members who are financially or physically dependent on the sponsor, where they meet the criteria of the Family Members Policy (higher income and insurance).

Renewal and the grace period

The residence permit is renewed on form G.02 with a further payment of the €50 fee. Renewal is possible an unlimited number of times, provided the sponsor keeps a valid permit and continues to meet the requirements (income, insurance). From the second permit onwards its term may be tied to the term of the sponsor's permit.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After 5 years of lawful continuous residence the family member applies for long-term resident status. Absences must not exceed 6 months in a row, and all absences together — 10 months over the five years.

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation is applied for on form E at Aġenzija Komunità Malta. You must have lived in Malta for 12 months continuously before filing and a further 4 years in total over the preceding 6 years. The fee is 450 euros plus 50 euros when the certificate is issued.

Frequently asked questions about Family reunification

Can a family member work in Malta on a Family Reunification permit?

No. Family Reunification gives only the right to reside, not to work. To take up employment a family member must obtain a separate work permit (for example a Single Permit). Adult family members may apply for a Single Permit or another work permit through Identità.

How long is the permit valid and how is it renewed?

The first permit is valid for at least one year. Later permits are renewed provided the sponsor keeps their status and the requirements on income and insurance are still met. Renewal is applied for on form G.02 through the Expatriates Portal with a further payment of the €50 fee. Renewal is possible an unlimited number of times.

After how long a period of residence can a family member apply for long-term resident status?

After five years of lawful continuous residence in Malta a family member may apply for long-term resident status. Absence from the country must not exceed six months in a row, and total absence over the whole five-year period must not exceed ten months. Long-term resident status gives more rights and independence from the sponsor's status.

How do I obtain Maltese citizenship if I came under Family Reunification?

Naturalisation (acquiring citizenship) is applied for through Aġenzija Komunità Malta on form E. What is required: continuous residence in Malta for 12 months immediately before filing, plus at least 4 years of residence in total over the preceding 6 years. The fee is €450 for the application and €50 when the naturalisation certificate is issued.

What income is needed to bring family members over?

The income requirements differ between the routes. Family Reunification (SL 217.06) has its own requirements set out in the legislation. The Family Members Policy requires stable income of at least €18,940 a year plus 20% of that sum for each family member brought over (for example, €22,728 for a family of three). Exception: holders of Key/Specialist Employee permits may be subject to different requirements.

What happens if the sponsor loses their residence permit?

If the sponsor's permit expires or is cancelled, the family members' permits may be cancelled as well. However, if a family member has already obtained long-term resident status (after 5 years), they may keep that status regardless of the sponsor's position. Family members without long-term status are advised to contact Identità to clarify the options available.

Other ways to move to Malta

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Malta.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.