Foreigners wanting to move to Malta can apply for the Malta Residency Program, which is also available for the entire family. Besides obtaining permanent residence, they can also freely travel throughout the Schengen Area, as Malta is part of this zone. Our immigration lawyers in Malta can offer legal advice and solutions to foreigners interested in obtaining Maltese residency by investment, explaining all the conditions imposed.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU) | Yes, both accepted |
Business investment option | Yes |
Real estate investment option | Yes |
| Other investment options (if available) | – starting a business, – contributions to Maltese economy |
| Residence or direct citizenship option | Permanent residence program based on property purchase of EUR 350,000 |
| Direct immigration with family members | Yes |
| Family members allowed to join the program | – spouse, – children, – parents, – grandparents |
| Timeframe for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment | Citizenship after 1 year of residence for investments of EUR 750,000 and EUR 50,000/family member |
| Dual citizenship permitted | Yes |
| Reasons to choose Malta | – solid international financial center, – great business conditions, – appealing tax regime |
| Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) |
More than 180 |
Table of Contents
Main conditions to get Maltese residency by investments
Here are the main conditions to get a residency by investment in Malta:
- you can buy a property worth at least EUR 375,000 in Malta. In certain areas of the country, it is permitted to buy a property worth at least EUR 300,000;
- there is also the possibility of renting a property in Malta, for EUR 10,000 – EUR 14,000/year, depending on the province/area;
- EUR 37,000 is a non-refundable contribution that must be paid, alongside EUR 60,000 as an administrative fee;
- a donation of at least EUR 2,000 to a local non-profit organization is another requirement for getting residency by investment in Malta;
- applicants must have at least EUR 500,000 in assets, of which at least EUR 150,000 in liquidity.
What you need to know about obtaining residency by investment in Malta is that the property purchased must be held for at least 5 years without being sold. Applicants will also need a licensed agent to be able to apply for Maltese residency by investment. Our immigration lawyers in Malta can provide you with detailed information about the residency by investment program in Malta.
Dependants in the Maltese Residency program
Those who wish to apply for residency by investment in Malta with their family must pay an additional fee of EUR 7,500. This fee is paid for each family member: parents, grandparents, etc.
There are several options through which you can receive residency in Malta, and foreigners are invited to apply for the Malta Residence and Visa Program (MRVP). This program comes with a series of advantages that can be explained to you by one of our Maltese immigration lawyers. You can also explore the following infographic on this subject:
Do I need a health insurance policy to live in Malta?
Yes, foreign citizens who join the Malta Residence and Visa Program will have to prove they have a private health insurance policy with coverage of at least EUR 30,000 that also will apply to their family members. Our immigration lawyers in Malta will ensure that your visa and residence application is made correctly, by providing complete legal support and advice. A residence permit in Malta can be obtained with the support offered by our team.
What is the validity of the residence permit in Malta?
The residence permit in Malta has a validity of 5 years, with the possibility of renewing it after this period for another 5 years. Let one of our advisors tell you more about this aspect.
What are the benefits of MRVP?
The Malta Residence and Visa Program comes with a series of benefits that address foreign citizens interested in relocating to this country. For instance, the EU residence card issued at the same time as the visa offers the possibility of traveling without restrictions throughout the Schengen Area. This means there are no border controls, a great advantage offered by the MRVP. The following advantages are also significant:
- The initial investments are made only for the first 5 years.
- The family members are directly included in the program.
- The right to reside in Malta is granted for an indefinite time.
- A residence permit in Malta is issued relatively fast by the authorities, who will, first of all, verify all the documents.
Interested in residency in Malta? Our lawyers can take care of the paperwork and procedures necessary to obtain this document. We mention that the whole process can last around 3 months, during which you need to prepare proof of domicile and personal finances, health insurance, and a valid passport, among other things. Contact us, therefore, for complete information about this approach and for the legal services we can offer you. Here is a video presentation with extra details, mentioning that our experts can help you move to Malta:
Analyzing costs for Maltese residents by investments
The most popular option for residency by investment in Malta remains the one related to renting a property. Around 80% of applicants choose this path to residency in Malta. Around EUR 170,000 would be the total cost for 5 years for renting a house with EUR 14,000/year, plus fees imposed at the time of application and annually. It is good to know that in Gozo and southern Malta, the financial requirements are more accessible due to the investment threshold of EUR 300,000 for purchasing a property or renting one for EUR 10,000/year. Among the options at hand, we mention the cities of Gozo Island:
- Marsascala,
- Zurrieq,
- Birzebbugia.
As for central and northern Malta, residency by investment can be obtained in cities such as:
- Valletta,
- St. Julian’s,
- Mellieha,
- Swieqi,
- Sliema, etc.
We emphasize that non-EU citizens can only buy one property when applying for residency by investment in Malta, without the possibility of renting it out immediately after purchase. However, there are also Special Designated Areas in Malta, with luxury residences, where foreigners outside the EU can own multiple properties.
How can we help with the Malta residency investment program?
Legal advice and assistance are accorded from the beginning to those wanting to relocate to Malta, whether for a short or long time. Our Maltese immigration attorneys will initiate a discussion with the clients interested in obtaining residency in Malta, will evaluate your requests, propose the proper options, and then will prepare the necessary documents for this application before submission to the relevant authorities. The entire process can be overseen by one of our immigration lawyers in Malta, mentioning that legal advice is offered at the time the approvals are made by the authorities, followed by the investment process and property acquisition, where specific contracts must be verified.
If you want citizenship in Malta, our advice is to collaborate with one of our lawyers to discover the legal services offered. The formalities may seem quite complex, especially if you have not had to deal with such a process; that is why specialist help is recommended. Maltese Citizenship by Investment is addressed to foreign citizens who want this status, with the help of investments made in this country, of at least EUR 600,000, but also with separate contributions for family members.
Choosing Malta for residency benefits
The small insular state offers the possibility of gaining residence by making specific investments. Many of the investors in Malta decide on the relocation process for varied reasons:
- a favorable tax system – there is no tax imposed on foreign incomes, and there is no inheritance tax in Malta. This is quite beneficial for foreign entrepreneurs in Malta;
- numerous investors are attracted by the gaming sector of Malta, which offers huge opportunities for profits after opening a Maltese company;
- Malta has worldwide connections, so the business collaborations can be properly developed;
- Malta is a significant financial center and a solid business destination from this point of view;
- the political and economic stability make Malta highly attractive for financiers from around the world;
- the great standards of living enter the discussion when retiring or relocating to Malta. The healthcare system and education are representative in Malta;
- Malta offers several investment programs through which foreigners can gain residency and even citizenship;
These are a few of the reasons to apply for residency in Malta and relocate to a country that offers a wide range of possibilities. If you need extra information about how to relocate to Malta, we invite you to talk to our immigration lawyer in Malta.
Is the Maltese residency application a complex process?
No, there is no need to worry about the procedures for Malta residency by investment, as the formalities are straightforward without complications. The first thing to consider is the minimum investment of at least EUR 250,000 in Maltese shares or a property purchase worth at least EUR 300,000. The option of renting a property in Malta is available for EUR 14,000 per year. The good part of Malta residency by investment is that foreign investors can also apply for family members, as they are included in the program from the start. One should note that the authorities in Malta have the right to verify the source of investments and even refuse applicants for whom the sources of funds are illicit. A clear criminal record is, therefore, an obligation at the time of application for Malta residency by investment. All the requirements for Malta residency by investment can be discussed with our experienced team of immigration lawyers in Malta. We are here to help you immigrate to Malta.
Choosing our specialists in immigration in Malta
Relocating to Malta is not a complex procedure, especially if applicants pay attention to the requirements, helped by an experienced team of immigration lawyers. We believe in solid and correct communication with our customers right from the start, in order to know their intentions in terms of immigration and relocation. We treat each case with professionalism, complete attention, transparency, and proficiency in order to achieve the best possible results for our clients. Visa for Malta, work permits, student visas, citizenship by investments, residency by investments, company relocation, and corporate immigration are important aspects covered by our experienced lawyers in Malta. No matter the reasons for your relocation or retirement to Malta, you are suggested to talk to our team of specialists and let them handle all the formalities implicated in the process.
If you would like to know more about the Malta Residency by Investment program and about Malta citizenship, you are invited to talk to one of our immigration lawyers in Malta. Please contact us for complete legal assistance and representation throughout the entire relocation process to Malta.