Malta
Malta's Permanent Residency Programme grants non-EU nationals lifelong residency and visa-free Schengen travel. Costs comprise a €60,000 administrative fee, €37,000 government contribution, and €2,000 philanthropic donation, plus a 5-year property lease (from €14,000/year, ~€169,000 total) or purchase (from €375,000, ~€474,000 total).
Investment routes
Every figure below is the published minimum for a single applicant. Family size, due diligence fees, and government processing fees can adjust the final total.
Non-refundable contribution paid to the Maltese government as part of the core application (€28,000 if renting rather than purchasing property).
Non-refundable fee covering application processing, due diligence, and card issuance for the main applicant and dependants.
Minimum purchase price for qualifying property (higher in southern Malta and Gozo, lower elsewhere); a 5-year lease from €14,000/year is the alternative to purchase.
Eligibility at a glance
18 years old for the main applicant.
Applicants must hold at least €500,000 in total assets, of which €150,000 must be financial assets (or €650,000 total with €75,000 financial, under the alternative threshold), plus a clean, documented source of funds.
No criminal record; police certificates required for all adult dependants.
Spouse, children (including financially dependent adult children), and, unusually, parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse can be included.
A €2,000 donation to a Maltese registered NGO is a mandatory part of the application.
How the Malta process works
Eligibility & route review
We confirm the capital and income thresholds are met and decide between the property purchase or lease route.
Application filing via licensed agent
Malta requires all MPRP applications to be submitted through a licensed agent. Direct applicant filing isn't permitted.
Due diligence review
Malta's due diligence process is regarded as one of the more rigorous in the EU residency-by-investment space, covering source of funds and background checks in depth.
Property commitment & contributions
The qualifying property lease or purchase is finalised and the government contribution and administrative fee are paid.
Residence card issuance
Cards are issued to the main applicant and all included dependants, typically 4–8 months from filing, with no minimum stay required to maintain status.
What this program includes
- Immediate permanent EU residency
- English-speaking environment
- Full access to EU benefits
- No minimum stay requirement
- Benefits extend up to 4 generations
- Excellent healthcare system
Questions about Malta
Why does Malta's MPRP extend to parents and grandparents when most EU programs don't?
It's a deliberate design choice in the program's rules, distinguishing it from most other European residency-by-investment routes, which typically stop at spouse and dependent children.
Is the property lease genuinely cheaper than buying, or just deferred?
The lease is a genuine cost, not deferred purchase. At minimum €14,000 a year over the required 5 years, it's paid out with nothing recovered at the end, whereas the purchase route holds a resaleable asset. Which is cheaper overall depends on how long you intend to keep the property.
Does Malta residency require me to give up residency elsewhere?
No. The MPRP does not require renouncing residency or citizenship elsewhere. Whether another jurisdiction's rules treat holding both differently is a separate question worth checking.
Why is Malta's due diligence described as more rigorous than other programs?
Malta's process is widely regarded within the industry as one of the deeper reviews among EU residency-by-investment programs, reflecting the EU's broader scrutiny of these schemes. That's a reason processing can run toward the longer end of the program's 4–8 month range rather than a sign of a compliance issue.
Can I later convert Malta residency into Maltese citizenship?
MPRP residency does not itself fast-track citizenship. Malta's citizenship rules are separate and considerably more demanding in years of residence and other criteria, so this program should be evaluated as a residency outcome, not a citizenship shortcut. Applicants specifically seeking citizenship on a faster timeline sometimes look at Malta's separate citizenship-by-investment program instead, which runs on its own rules and cost structure.
Is there a net-worth requirement beyond the property and government fees?
Yes. Applicants must hold at least €500,000 in total assets, with a minimum of €150,000 held in financial assets specifically (bank deposits, securities, and similar). There's an alternative threshold of €650,000 total with €75,000 in financial assets. This capital test is separate from, and in addition to, the property and government contribution figures.
Find out if Malta fits your case
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