ResidencyMalta
Permanent European residence on a sunlit Mediterranean island
Malta sits at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, an English-speaking island nation inside the European Union with centuries of history and a modern, service-driven economy. Its permanent residence programme is designed for non-EU families who want the security of lifelong European residence without the obligation to uproot their lives or meet demanding presence rules.
The route combines a qualifying property commitment, a government contribution and a philanthropic donation, assessed against a straightforward financial threshold. Successful applicants and their included family members gain the right to live in Malta indefinitely, travel across the Schengen area, and settle into a warm, stable and well-connected base in Europe.
CBIProgram manages the application end to end through licensed channels, coordinating property selection, due diligence, government filings and family documentation so that a single, well-prepared submission covers the whole family at once.
- Residence requirement: None
Program law
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme was enacted in 2014 and amended in 2021, administered by the responsible government agency under the applicable Residence Programme Rules.
Key benefits
Lifelong residence
Approval grants permanent residence with no time limit on your right to live in Malta, confirmed by a residence certificate issued for life and cards renewed every five years.
Schengen travel
As a Maltese resident you can move visa-free across the Schengen area, making Malta a practical springboard into continental Europe.
One application, whole family
A spouse, children and qualifying parents can all be included in a single application without a separate investment for each dependent.
Favourable taxation
Residents are generally taxed only on income arising in or remitted to Malta, with no capital gains, inheritance or wealth tax and an extensive treaty network.
Fees & costs
Investment options
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Property purchase — Minimum qualifying purchase; Land Registry certificate dated within three months of application | EUR 375,000 |
| Property rental — Held for at least five years | EUR 14,000 per year |
| Government contribution — Applies to both the purchase and rental routes | EUR 37,000 |
| Philanthropic donation — Required under both routes | EUR 2,000 |
Government fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee — Main applicant | EUR 5,000 |
| Dependent application fee — Per dependent | EUR 7,500 |
| Processing fee | EUR 1,000 |
| Administrative fee — Main applicant and spouse; EUR 7,500 per additional adult dependent | EUR 60,000 |
Due diligence fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Due diligence — Main applicant | EUR 7,500 |
| Due diligence — Per dependent | EUR 5,000 |
Process & timeline
We gather documents, run an internal pre-check and file the application, at which point the government fees, due diligence fees and the first portion of the administrative fee become due.
A one-year temporary residence permit is issued, and the agency reviews financial, criminal and medical records alongside source-of-funds checks.
The government typically issues its decision within 60 days of the review; on approval you complete the qualifying investment and donation.
A lifelong residence certificate is issued and residence cards, valid for five years, are produced.
Residence cards are renewed in simple five-year cycles while the qualifying conditions continue to be met.
Eligibility
- Main applicant must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a non-EU and non-Swiss national
- Clean criminal record for the applicant and all family members
- Capital assets of at least EUR 500,000 including at least EUR 150,000 in financial assets, or capital assets of at least EUR 650,000 including at least EUR 75,000 in financial assets
- A qualifying property commitment made through a licensed agent
- Sufficient and stable financial resources to support the family
Required documents
All applicants
- Certified copy of every passport held
- Signed curriculum vitae (a parent signs for children under 18)
- Dated and signed Power of Attorney for each applicant
- Two original passport-size photographs (45mm x 35mm) per person
- Bank statement showing sufficient funds
Main applicant
- Proof of capital assets meeting the applicable financial threshold
- Land Registry certificate dated within three months of application (property purchase route only)
Married couples
- Certified marriage certificate for a spouse
- Certified full birth certificate for each child
- Supporting documentation for parents over 55, where included
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum stay requirement?
The programme is noted for its flexibility on physical presence, so there is no demanding annual stay obligation simply to hold and maintain the residence status.
When do I actually make the investment?
A retainer and down payment start the process, but the qualifying property commitment and donation are completed after the government approves the application, once the temporary permit stage is cleared.
Who can I include as a dependent?
You can include a spouse, children up to the age of 18 and parents over the age of 55, all within one application.
How are residents taxed in Malta?
Residents are generally taxed only on income that arises in Malta or is brought into the country, and there is no capital gains, inheritance or wealth tax, supported by a wide double-taxation treaty network.
Can residence lead to citizenship?
Over time, continuous and cumulative residence can open a separate pathway toward citizenship, which has its own continuous and total-residence requirements that we assess case by case.
How long does approval take?
Most families reach permanent residence within four to six months, with a one-year temporary permit issued soon after the application is submitted.
Information last verified: 2026-10-29 · Official programme data
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