Malta Nomad Residence Permit: Requirements and How to Apply

The Malta Nomad Residence Permit lets non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss citizens live in Malta while working remotely for a foreign employer, a foreign company they co-own or foreign clients. The income test is a gross €42,000 a year, which is €3,500 a month. Applicants who applied before 1 April 2024 keep the old €32,400 requirement, which is where the older "€2,700 a month" figure comes from.

The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed up to three times, for four years in total. It does not lead to permanent residence. Everything below comes from the Residency Malta Agency nomad site; check the official page before you apply.

Who qualifies

You must be a third-country national. The agency says you must work remotely using telecommunications and fall into one of three groups: employed by a foreign-registered employer, running business activity as a partner or shareholder of a foreign company, or freelancing for clients with foreign permanent establishments. People contracted by a foreign company to serve its Maltese subsidiary are not eligible.

Income requirement

The minimum is gross income of €42,000 a year. Main applicants must also show a guaranteed income source for at least five months, counted cumulatively. For a person paid monthly that is about €3,500 gross, so the net figure will be lower. Compare the Greece digital nomad visa, which asks for €3,500 net.

Documents you'll need

• A valid travel document
• A police conduct certificate and background verification check
• Proof of remote work category and income
• Health insurance covering the European Union, including Malta, and the UK
• A valid property rental or purchase agreement in Malta

Use the agency's checklist, which is linked from the application portal.

Step-by-step application

1. Check your category and income against the eligibility page.
2. Arrange Maltese housing and insurance that meets the agency's minimum cover.
3. Apply through the official portal and pay the €300 application fee by bank transfer.
4. Wait for the decision. The agency says processing is expected to take 30 working days from when funds are received.
5. Collect your residence card, which costs €100 and is paid in person by card, roughly three to four weeks after approval.

Costs and timeline

Application fee: €300 per person, non-refundable. Residence card: €100 per person. Add insurance, translations and rent. Our estimate for living in Valletta and Sliema is about €2,300 a month for a single person and €3,400 for a couple; see Valletta & Sliema.

Taxes once you're resident

The agency says holding the permit does not automatically make you subject to Maltese tax, because you must also meet the conditions in S.L. 123.210. It does not give tax advice. Malta's tax rules are specific to your situation, and US citizens still file US returns. Speak to a Malta-qualified tax adviser.

Family members

The main applicant can include family members in the application. Dependants cannot be added after approval, except at renewal or for newborns. Permit holders and their dependants cannot offer services to or work for Maltese-registered employers or companies.

Alternatives

• If you want a longer-term route, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme is an investment-based option.
• Other nomad visas: Cyprus, Croatia and Greece.
• Compare them in the table below.

Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page: confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.

• Read the full Malta country guide and compare Valletta vs Limassol.