MaltaPermanent residence by investment

Permanent residence in Malta

A permanent residence programme established under the Immigration Act for nationals of countries outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. It is administered by the Residency Malta Agency and requires a combined investment in the Maltese economy — through property, government fees, a charitable donation and proof of financial stability. All applicants undergo strict multi-level due diligence.

Visa term

Permanent status subject to compliance; property for 5 years

Processing time

About 4–9 months until the card is issued

Work

Does not in itself grant the right to work; a separate permit is required (Single Permit)

Residence

No minimum presence requirement

Source: residencymalta.gov.mt — MPRP permanent residence programme

Who the programme suits

MPRP is intended for investors ready to commit funds and secure resident status on a permanent basis. There are options both for those who prefer to buy property and for those who prefer to rent.

Investors who want to buy property

Ready to invest at least €375,000 in buying a home
Looking for permanent status with the right to reside for an indefinite period
Plan to bring the family (spouse, children, parents)

Those who prefer to rent

Prefer to rent (from €14,000 a year) rather than buy
Avoid large capital outlays on property
Value flexibility and mobility over the minimum period of 5 years

Families with substantial assets

Hold at least €500,000 in free funds (or €650,000 under the alternative)
Want to protect their assets and secure status for the whole family
Looking for a permanent home and social stability

When the programme will not suit you

An EU, EEA or Swiss national

Rely on the freedom-of-movement directive and the right of residence in the EU

You do not have €500,000 in assets (or €650,000 under the alternative)

Consider programmes for specialists or for retirees

A criminal record or reputational problems

Any criminal offence, including corruption, terrorism or family-related crimes, means automatic refusal

You cannot prove the source of funds

Due diligence requires full transparency; without it the application is refused

What it costs

Government contributionPayable whether you buy or rent. Paid within 8 months of the Letter of Approval in Principle	37 000 EUR
Administrative fee for the main applicant (part 1)Paid on submission of the application. Non-refundable	15 000 EUR
Administrative fee for the main applicant (part 2)Paid within 2 months of the Letter of Approval in Principle. Non-refundable	45 000 EUR
Administrative fee for an adult dependant (18+)For each dependant over 18 (other than the spouse, children under 18 and children with a disability). Paid within 2 months of the Approval in Principle or when added to the certificate	+7 500 EUR
Donation to a charitable organisationTo a registered NGO (charitable, cultural, sporting, scientific, animal-welfare or artistic). Paid before the certificate is issued	2 000 EUR
Property: purchaseMinimum value when buying residential property in Malta or Gozo. It may be reduced before the Approval in Principle if the property is refurbished and brought up to €375,000 on an architect's valuation	375 000 EUR
Property: rent per yearMinimum annual rent. The contract must be valid for at least 5 years from the date the certificate is issued	14 000 EUR
Minimum assets (option A)Of which at least €150,000 must be financial assets (cash, securities). Demonstrated when the application is filed and maintained for 5 years	500 000 EUR
Minimum assets (option B, higher threshold)Of which at least €75,000 in financial assets. An alternative for those who cannot hold €150,000 of the €500,000 in financial assets	650 000 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Administrative fee for an adult dependant (18+)” adds 7 500 EUR; the “Property: rent per year” branch replaces the “Property: purchase” line — 613 000 EUR; the “Minimum assets (option B, higher threshold)” branch replaces the “Minimum assets (option A)” line — 1 124 000 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	974,000–981 500 EUR

Paid separately

Fees for the services of a licensed agent — Covered by the agreement between the applicant and the agent; not included in the official government fees
Costs of documents, translations and legal services — All additional costs (preparing documents, notarial services, translations) are paid separately
Health insurance — The applicant must provide proof of valid health insurance; the cost of the policy is not part of the programme fees

Documents to gather

Documents are filed with the initial application (regulation 12) and must be originals or notarised copies. All documents in foreign languages require an authorised translation into English.

Passport (original or notarised copy)
Criminal-record certificate for the past 10 years from the country of origin and from every country of residence (longer than 6 months)
Proof of ownership of assets (bank statements, investment reports, property valuations)
Contract for the purchase or rental of the qualifying property
Proof of funding and of the sources of funds (audit reports, bank references)
Medical certificate of good health and freedom from serious infectious diseases
Health insurance policy covering all risks, on the same footing as for Maltese citizens
Donation to a charitable organisation (donation document)
Family status documents (marriage/partnership certificates, children's birth certificates)
Proof of custody or guardianship (for minor dependants)
Declaration of support for dependants over 18 (affidavit)
Due diligence report through a licensed agent
Completed application form in English

How the process runs

The process has two stages: obtaining the Letter of Approval in Principle and then the issue of the final certificate. In total this takes 4–9 months.

1
Preparing the documents and appointing a licensed agent
1–2 weeks
The applicant must appoint a resident agent (a lawyer, accountant or financial adviser). The agent prepares the document package, carries out due diligence and completes the application form in English.
2
Filing the application with the Residency Malta Agency
Day of filing
The agent submits the application with the full document package. The first instalment of the administrative fee (€15,000) is paid on submission. The agency confirms receipt of the application.
3
Due diligence and verification
4–8 weeks
The Residency Malta Agency and third parties (specialist due diligence providers) carry out multi-level checks: background verification, sanctions screening, INTERPOL/EUROPOL, sources of funds, money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks. Additional documents may be requested.
4
Receiving the Letter of Approval in Principle
After due diligence
If the outcome is positive, the Approvals Board issues the Letter of Approval in Principle. Within 2 months the applicant must pay the remaining administrative fee (€45,000) and the fees for dependants (if any).
5
Meeting the final conditions (8 months after the Approval)
8 months max.
During this period the applicant must: (1) pay the government contribution (€37,000); (2) provide the document for the qualifying property (purchase or rental); (3) make the donation to an NGO (€2,000); (4) provide the health insurance policy; (5) provide the other documents required. The agency may carry out a spot check on the property.
6
Issue of the Residence-by-Investment Certificate
After all conditions are met
Once every requirement is fully met, the agency issues the Certificate. It confers the right to reside, settle and stay for an indefinite period on the applicant and the approved dependants. An application may be made for a temporary residence order for 1 year (while the main application is processed, up to 8 months).
7
Annual monitoring during the first 5 years
Annually
For the first 5 years from the date the certificate is issued, the agency checks compliance annually: that the property, the assets and the insurance are in place and that there are no breaches. After 5 years checks are carried out at the agency's discretion.

Who you can bring with you

Family members may be included on the certificate as approved dependants. Each of them must pass due diligence and the corresponding administrative fee must be paid.

Spouse (in a monogamous marriage, civil partnership, domestic partnership, civil union or similar relationship)

No administrative fee with the initial application. If added later — €7,500. Must pass due diligence.

Children under 18

No administrative fee with the initial application. The consent of both parents is required (or a custody/guardianship document). Due diligence applies.

Children aged 18–29, unmarried and financially dependent

€7,500 for each when included. They must prove financial dependence on the main applicant (affidavit). Due diligence is mandatory.

Parents or grandparents (not in full-time employment)

€7,500 for each. They must prove financial dependence. Due diligence applies. There is no age limit.

Adult children with a disability (any age)

No administrative fee with the initial application; €7,500 if added later. A certificate of incapacity from a recognised medical practitioner is required. Due diligence applies.

Spouse of a dependent child included on the certificate

€7,500. Must pass due diligence. May be added to the certificate of a beneficiary who already holds one.

Minor child of a previously approved dependent child

€7,500. May be added to an existing certificate on production of the birth certificate and after due diligence.

Renewal and the grace period

The certificate is issued on a permanent basis provided all the obligations of the programme are met. No formal renewal is required. However, throughout the period the beneficiary must hold: (1) the qualifying property for at least 5 years, and after that any residential property; (2) the mandatory assets (€500,000 or €650,000) for 5 years from the issue of the certificate; (3) a valid passport; (4) health insurance. The agency carries out annual checks during the first 5 years, and thereafter at its discretion. A breach of the obligations may lead to the certificate being withdrawn.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Permanent residence	Nomad permit	Programmes for specialists
Visa term	Permanent status subject to compliance; property for 5 years	Up to 1 year, renewable up to 3 years in total	Issued initially for 1 year; renewable up to 3 years
Grounds	Property + government contribution	Remote income	High qualifications
Work	Does not in itself grant the right to work; a separate permit is required (Single Permit)	Remote work for foreign employers only	Yes — work for a specific employer
Residence	No minimum presence requirement	Actual residence in Malta	Residence in Malta

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Does not lead automatically to citizenship

Route to citizenship

There is no direct route; only general naturalisation

Frequently asked questions about Permanent residence

Does the MPRP grant the right to work in Malta?

No. The certificate does not automatically grant the right to work. Employment requires a separate work permit (Single Permit) or a visa, depending on the beneficiary's nationality. The MPRP confers only the right to reside and stay.

Can the MPRP lead to Maltese citizenship?

No, the programme does not lead automatically to citizenship. Permanent resident status and citizenship are two different statuses. Citizenship requires the general naturalisation process through the other mechanisms set out in Malta's citizenship law.

Is there a minimum stay requirement (physical presence in Malta)?

No. The programme does not require a minimum number of days a year in Malta. The beneficiary may be abroad, provided the other obligations are met: holding the property, holding the assets, health insurance and passing the agency's annual checks.

What happens if I do not meet the obligations of the programme?

If the beneficiary breaches the conditions (for example, sells the property before 5 years, loses the assets, fails to maintain health insurance or provided false information), the agency may withdraw the certificate and require it to be returned within one month. This ends all rights, including the right of residence.

Which countries or nationals cannot apply for the MPRP?

An EU, EEA or Swiss national cannot apply, as the programme is intended for third-country nationals. In addition, the agency will refuse an application from a person subject to international sanctions, with a criminal record for terrorism, money laundering or crimes against humanity, or with a reputation that would harm Malta.

Can I rent property first and buy later?

Yes. You may start by renting (at least €14,000 a year for 5 years). The condition provides that after the five years have elapsed the beneficiary may hold any residential property (owned, rented or under emphyteusis), not necessarily a qualifying one. With the agency's consent the property may be replaced.

How is due diligence carried out?

The Residency Malta Agency and specialist due diligence providers check: criminal history, sanctions (INTERPOL, EUROPOL, the UN), sources of funds, money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks, reputation and integrity. Checks are also carried out by third parties and law-enforcement bodies. The findings are reported to the Approvals Board before the certificate is issued.

Can an application be refused after the Letter of Approval in Principle has been received?

Yes. The Letter of Approval in Principle does not guarantee that the final certificate will be issued. If, while the final conditions are being met (8 months), it emerges that information was false, or the conditions are not met, the agency may refuse the application and withdraw the Letter. The certificate is issued only if ALL the applicable requirements and conditions are fully satisfied.

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: 8 August 2026.