Malta is home to numerous foreigners who enjoy great living conditions, a proper business environment, and an advantageous educational system. The insular state provides numerous business opportunities, so the company’s relocation to this country can be a great solution for international investors in Malta. All the requirements for obtaining a visa or a residence permit in Malta can be explained by one of our immigration lawyers in Malta.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa required for | Non-EU citizens, but exceptions might apply. |
|
Tourist Schengen Visa |
For stays of no more than 90 days |
|
Authority |
Central Visa Unit in Malta, Department for Citizenship and Expatriates Affairs |
| Residency by investment program available in Malta |
– Malta Global Residency Program, – Malta Permanent Residence Program |
| Investments in exchange for residency in Malta |
Buying properties worth at least EUR 275,000 in specific regions in Malta |
| Documents solicited |
– valid passport, – proof of income, – health insurance, – proof of domicile, etc. |
| Validity of an temporary residence permit |
1 year |
| Registration with the municipality (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Residence permit applications |
Can only be submitted in Valletta. We represent our clients in all the legal aspects. |
| Medical insurance required | Yes, with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. |
| Immigration controls for foreigners with Maltese residence permit |
Not imposed in Schengen countries |
| Maltese retirement programs |
Retirement Scheme in Malta or Maltese Retirement Program (MRP). Applicants can rent or buy a property to join the retirement program. |
| Specific conditions for relocation as a US citizen |
– no entry visa imposed, – free stay up to 90 days, – possibility to access varied residency programs in Malta |
| Taxation of foreigners with permanent residency in Malta |
15% income tax. However, double taxation treaties can offer tax relief. |
| Working with our Maltese immigration lawyers |
We assist customers in all immigration formalities and represent them to the relevant authorities. Personalized offers are available. |
Table of Contents
Who needs a visa for Malta?
Non-EU and EEA citizens, alongside those from the UK and Switzerland, all of them considered third-country nationals, need to apply for a visa before relocating to Malta. In the case of foreign workers in Malta, a work permit is needed, a document that can be granted with the help of the Maltese employer or company owner. The Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs deals with the Single Permit applications and issues the work permits for non-EU citizens wanting to live and work in Malta. Here is an infographic about relocation to Malta:
Document requirements for Maltese visas
Respecting the requirements for visa application in Malta is essential if you want to avoid any possible rejections. Our immigration lawyers in Malta can help foreigners prepare the visa documents before application, among which the following are highly important:
- A travel medical insurance covering services of a minimum of EUR 30,000 is necessary for a visa to Malta.
- The itinerary and purpose of the visit must be stated in a visa cover letter.
- Proof of civil marriage is solicited by the Maltese authorities.
- A flight ticket reservation is required for a visa application for Malta.
- Information about the accommodation in Malta is also part of the visa application, alongside details about personal finances.
Interested in more aspects of how to relocate to Malta and the visa application? You can hire the services of our law firm in Malta and ask for the legal advice of a Maltese immigration lawyer.
Obtain permanent residence in Malta
The temporary residence permit is available for 1 year, with the possibility of renewing it. In the case of permanent residence permits in Malta, these are valid for 5 years and can be renewed for another 5. The Malta Global Residency Programme was introduced in 2013 in Malta and targeted third-country citizens from a tax point of view. Buying or renting a property in Malta is the main requirement for entering this important programme that is already considered a success. We mention that Swiss and EEA citizens cannot participate in this programme. If you are interested in how to move to Malta and obtain a permanent residence permit, please feel free to send your inquiries to one of our immigration lawyers in Malta. Professional assistance is required because the legislation related to immigration and Maltese citizenship might seem complex. You may also explore this video presentation we have prepared on this topic:
Reasons for relocating to Malta
Thinking of moving to Malta? The insular state provides great standards of living plus a wide range of advantages for young, middle-aged persons, or seniors from overseas. Many successful industries and business sectors in Malta host a large number of companies established with foreign capital, operating in a secure and prolific environment. Here are a few reasons to consider for relocating to Malta, with the mention that all the steps can be explained by one of our specialists in immigration:
- Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the insular state has worldwide connections.
- Freelance professionals can easily work in Malta, benefiting from the affordable costs of living.
- The financial and gaming sectors are highly developed in Malta. Many investors from abroad have operations in these fields.
- Retiring to Malta? It is quite easy to retire to Malta and live in a safe and relaxed environment. The crime rate in Malta is low.
- Looking for architectural treasures and natural beauties? Malta is an insular state that offers numerous attractions and plenty of opportunities in terms of holidays, travels, discoveries, etc.
- Malta is the smallest country in the EU and an important destination for a wide range of financial and insurance operations from abroad.
- The education and healthcare systems are highly developed in Malta, another reason to choose this country for a great standard of living and security.
- The residency programmes in Malta are appealing to both EU and non-EU citizens who want to relocate here with minimum requirements and conditions.
- The taxation system presents a series of advantages to investors who join varied investment programmes in Malta. Our advisors can tell you more.
Main rules for Malta migration
Relocating to Malta means observing the requirements and procedures involved. While EU citizens do not need visas to enter Malta, non-EU nationals must pay attention to the visa conditions. We present to you important information about the available types of visas for Malta:
- Malta visa for business purposes – this visa is issued respecting the conditions imposed, like providing information about the business bank statements for the latest 6 months, an invitation letter issued by the company in Malta that invited you, information about previous trade collaborations, and a copy of the Articles of Association of the company;
- Visa for medical purposes – the latest medical report, a medical attestation with information about the appointment in Malta, plus payment receipts, are required for this type of Maltese visa;
- Malta visa for official delegations – an official invitation letter, information about the purpose of the visit, and the duration of stay must be provided for such a visa application;
- A visa for study, research, and training in Malta – information about financial sustenance, the enrollment certificate showing attendance of courses, and the certificate of completion of courses are required;
- Visa for minors – Minors need a visa to enter Malta. Such a visa is issued if notarized travel permission signed by the parents is provided, alongside information about the parents’ income.
We remind you that Malta is part of the Schengen Area; therefore, a Maltese visa allows free travel to other Schengen countries. Our Malta immigration lawyer can tell you more about the types of visas available and the requirements for each of them. We also assist foreigners in immigrating to Malta.
Do US citizens need a visa for Malta?
US nationals can stay for up to 90 days in Malta without a visa, but it is important to register with the local authorities and apply for a temporary residence permit. Americans interested in relocating to Malta will have to apply for a specific visa, depending on their purposes in this country and the length of stay. This means that if the visit prolongs for more than 90 days, the entry conditions to Malta change. Our immigration lawyers in Malta can support American citizens who want to relocate to this country for varied reasons like retirement, studies, investments, or business. It is important to note that Malta offers several important investment programmes for foreigners who want to obtain permanent residence or Maltese citizenship. These are other areas that can be covered by our specialists with experience in immigration to Malta.
How can I relocate from the UK to Malta?
British citizens who want to relocate to Malta must follow a set of rules and respect the conditions imposed. As such, the Maltese authorities allow the entry of UK citizens without a visa for a visit of no more than 90 days. On the other hand, if you relocate to Malta for work or study purposes, a visa is required. In terms of requirements, a passport with a validity of at least 6 months is needed, plus health insurance covering medical services of up to EUR 30,000 within the territory of Malta. Some relocation conditions might be subject to Brexit changes, so you should ask for legal advice from a Malta immigration lawyer when preparing the relocation.
Would you like to apply for citizenship in Malta? Our specialists on immigration issues are at your disposal with legal advice and can guide you in this endeavor. Also, they can advise you on the documents you have to prepare, either for a single application or for several, if you want this status for your family as well. We specify here that foreign citizens married to Maltese citizens can obtain citizenship after 5 years.
Does Malta offer Golden visas?
Malta no longer offers Golden visas, but rather a better alternative for obtaining residency in this country. It is the Maltese Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), which is aimed at citizens of non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries who wish to obtain residency by fulfilling certain conditions. It is good to know that this programme does not offer citizenship, this being possible after a few years of residency and by respecting the eligibility criteria. We will review some formalities and conditions of the MPRP:
- foreigners who apply for the MPRP must be at least 18 years old.
- applicants can buy a real estate property worth at least EUR 375,000 to join the programme. A contribution fee of EUR 30,000 is also imposed.
- there is also the possibility of renting a house/apartment for a minimum of EUR 14,000 per year, with an additional EUR 60,000 contribution fee imposed. A charitable donation of EUR 2,000, plus EUR 5,000 per family member to relocate, are other important conditions to consider.
- candidates applying for MPRP must have at least EUR 500,000 in assets, among which, EUR 150,000 must be in liquid financial assets.
These are some of the formalities that must be completed to access the Maltese Permanent Residence Programme. Residency can be easily obtained if all the required conditions are met. Also, those interested in citizenship in Malta can obtain this status after 5 years of residence in this country. You can get more information from one of our Maltese immigration lawyers if you contact them.
How to immigrate to Malta as a retiree
If you are close to retirement age and are thinking about relocating, Malta may be the ideal destination for you and your family. Both EU and non-EU/EEA citizens can access the Retirement Scheme in Malta or the Maltese Retirement Program (MRP). Here are some conditions to be met to retire to Malta:
- you can purchase a property worth at least EUR 220,000 or rent one for at least EUR 8,750 per year;
- the administration fee to join the program is EUR 2,500;
- a police conduct certificate is requested that is not older than 6 months before arrival/relocation to Malta;
- proof of pension is requested. Some bank statements must be prepared in this sense;
- a certificate of good health, plus health insurance, is also required;
- it is good to know that retirees cannot accept job offers in Malta, but they can hold non-executive positions/posts.
Choosing our immigration lawyers in Malta
The relocation to Malta is a straightforward process that comprises easy steps and requirements. The insular state is home to a large number of immigrants from all over the world who enjoy excellent standards of living in a country that puts the emphasis on good living conditions, business development, and many more. Specific residence and investment programmes require extra attention to matters of documents and conditions. This is where our professional lawyer with experience in immigration in Malta can offer in-depth legal advice and guidance. A foreigner relocating to Malta can skip the possible mistakes in matters of requirements and document preparation, and benefit from the services of our immigration law firm in Malta. Our calling card mentions professionalism, proficiency, experience, transparency, and competence; therefore, you can rely on our legal support right from the start. We work closely with our clients and we concentrate on their needs to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Interested in moving to Malta? Feel free to get in touch with one of our immigration lawyers in Malta and find out how we can help.