Malta Permanent Residence Programme: Costs and Requirements

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) grants permanent residence to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals who pay set fees, hold a qualifying Maltese property and show sufficient capital. According to the Residency Malta Agency, the cost stack is a €60,000 non-refundable administrative fee, a €37,000 government contribution and a €2,000 donation to a local NGO, plus a property commitment: rent at least €14,000 a year or buy for at least €375,000.

It is permanent residence, not citizenship. You must apply through a licensed agent. The figures below come from the Residency Malta Agency MPRP page. The programme is amended by legal notice, so check the official page before you apply.

Who qualifies

Applicants must be third-country nationals who are not EEA or Swiss citizens and do not come from sanctioned countries. They must have stable, regular resources to support themselves and their dependants without Malta's social assistance, and a clean criminal record. They must also pass multi-tiered due diligence that extends to donors and business associates.

Capital and cost requirements

The agency says applicants must show capital assets of at least €500,000, of which €150,000 must be financial assets, or at least €650,000, of which €75,000 must be financial assets. On top of that you pay:

• A €60,000 non-refundable administrative fee
• A €37,000 government contribution
• A €2,000 donation to a registered Maltese NGO
• €7,500 for each adult dependant, excluding the spouse
• €500 per person for the residence card, covering five years

Adding the first three gives €99,000 in non-refundable payments, which is the figure in our table. It excludes the property commitment and agent fees.

The property requirement

You must either rent a qualifying residential property in Malta or Gozo for at least €14,000 a year, or buy one worth at least €375,000. The property must be kept for at least five years, after which you must continue to maintain a residential property in Malta. Leasing is allowed, and the agency says you can sub-lease after five years.

Documents you'll need

A valid travel document, health insurance covering risks in Malta and other European countries, police certificates, financial statements and due diligence forms for everyone in the application. Your licensed agent will supply the full list.

Step-by-step application

1. Choose a licensed agent from the agency's list.
2. Prepare proof of assets, source of funds and clean records.
3. The agent files the application and it goes through due diligence.
4. Once approved, secure the qualifying property and pay the fees and contribution.
5. Complete the insurance and donation requirements and collect your residence card.

Costs and timeline

We found no official processing time. The agency says decisions are communicated within a reasonable timeframe. Expect agent and legal fees on top of the amounts above.

Taxes once you're resident

The programme does not set a tax regime. Your tax position depends on residence and domicile, and Malta's rules for non-domiciled residents can differ from those for domiciled residents. US citizens still file US returns. Take advice from a Malta-qualified adviser before you commit.

Family members

The agency says you can include up to four generations in one application, with a fee of €7,500 for each adult dependant excluding the spouse. The permit also gives visa-free Schengen travel for 90 days in any 180.

Alternatives

• If you simply want to live and work remotely in Malta, the Malta Nomad Residence Permit is far cheaper but lasts only a year at a time.
• Other investment routes: Cyprus permanent residence and the Greece golden visa.
• Compare all of 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 Malta country guide and check Valletta & Sliema for costs.