Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, neighboring Italy. Malta attracts foreigners with its stable and secure environment, warm climate, and high quality of life. One significant factor why people choose immigration to Malta is its tax advantages. Some programs offer the opportunity to receive worldwide income at a 0% tax rate. Additionally, the fact that English is the official language of Malta significantly simplifies acclimatization, and communication issues are unlikely to arise. Another crucial factor is that Malta is a member of the Schengen Agreement, allowing residents to travel freely to other Schengen countries after obtaining residence documents.
To have the right to reside in Malta, it is necessary to process residence documents. Below are the immigration programs available in Malta.
Global Residence Programme
Foreigners who are not citizens of EU countries and are willing to lease or purchase property in Malta can participate in the Global Residence Programme. The main applicant, along with the spouse and children up to 18 years old, has the right to apply.
- Leasing Option: Involves renting residential property in Malta. The minimum cost of renting property should be at least 8,750 euros.
- Purchase Option: Involves buying real estate, with a minimum investment of 220,000 euros.
Tax Benefits of the Program:
- Fixed income tax rate for individuals – 15%.
- Income earned outside Malta that is not remitted to Malta – 0%.
- Income from Maltese sources taxed at rates ranging from 0% to 35%, based on income brackets.
- Up to 9,100 euros – 0%
- 9,101 to 14,500 euros – 15%
- 14,501 to 19,500 euros – 25%
- 19,501 to 60,000 euros – 25%
- 60,001 and above – 35%
Minimum Tax Obligation: 15,000 euros, payable regardless of whether money is transferred to Malta or not.
To maintain tax resident status, one must reside a minimum of 183 days per year in Malta, but there is no such requirement to maintain permanent residence.
Processing Time: Up to 10 months.
Official Fee for the Main Applicant: 6,000 euros.
Legal Support Cost: 10,000 euros.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is available to citizens of non-EU countries. Unlike the Global Residence Programme (GRP), participants in MPRP can obtain permanent residency in Malta. An additional requirement is a donation to a Maltese charitable organization. Family members, including dependents, spouses, parents, and grandparents, can apply together with the main applicant.
Applicant Requirements:
- No criminal convictions
- No infectious diseases
- A minimum net worth evaluated at 500,000 euros, with 150,000 euros in financial assets
To participate in the program, one must invest in real estate starting from 300,000 euros or lease real estate starting from 10,000 euros.
Unlike GRP, the MPRP program does not provide tax benefits. However, if the investor does not obtain tax resident status (does not reside in Malta for 183 days per year), they only need to pay tax on income from Maltese sources.
Minimum Tax Obligation: 5,000 euros if the annual income of the applicant or couple, earned outside Malta, is at least 35,000 euros.
There is no requirement for the number of days spent in the country.
Program Cost:
- 98,000 euros – government fee for participation through leasing real estate
- 68,000 euros – government fee for participation through purchasing real estate
- 7,500 euros – for each additional applicant
- 2,000 euros – charitable contribution to a Maltese non-governmental organization
Government payments are made in stages.
Processing Time: 6-8 months.
Legal Support Cost: Upon request.
Malta Nomad Residence Permit
The Malta Nomad Residence Permit is designed for foreigners who are not citizens of EU member states and work remotely. The permit is temporary and valid for one year.
Requirements for Program Participation:
- Minimum income of 2,700 euros per month for the last three months. If your income is lower but you can prove that you will earn at least 32,400 euros in the next 12 months, you can still apply.
- Rental or purchase of real estate in Malta for a minimum of 12 months.
- Medical insurance.
- No criminal convictions.
Document Processing Time: 1-2 months.
Official Fee: 300 euros.
Legal Support Cost: Upon request.
Start-up Residence Permit
Malta introduced the Start-up Residence Programme to attract talents and innovative start-ups worldwide. The program supports entrepreneurs from non-EU countries, providing them with the opportunity to implement their ideas in the European market and offering immigration privileges.
Applicant Requirements:
- Owners of enterprises not globally registered in the last 7 years, not engaged in another entity’s activity, not distributed profit, and not formed by merging.
- Direct investments and/or paid-up share capital of at least €25,000. Additional funds are required if more than 4 co-founders apply.
- Engaging in one or more activities in Malta, including manufacturing, software development, industrial services similar to manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences, start-ups in the blue, green, and sustainable industry, as well as other innovative economic activities using knowledge and technology.
- Engaging in an eligible business project meeting at least two of the following criteria:
- Offering products and/or services with income generation potential from various geographic markets.
- Producing products and/or services that are new, innovative, or significantly improved compared to similar products on the market.
- Using processes that are either new or significantly improved compared to those used in current similar activities.
Additional requirements may be imposed by Maltese authorities for each individual project.
Legal Support Cost: Upon request.
Malta Retirement Programme
The Malta Retirement Programme is designed for citizens of the EU, citizens not being nationals of EU member states, citizens of European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and Switzerland who are not engaged in any gainful activity and receive a pension as a permanent source of income. Participants in the program are allowed to hold non-executive positions on the board of directors of a Malta-resident company. This means that beneficiaries are prohibited from working in any capacity within the company.
Participants in the program can also engage in activities related to any institution, trust, or foundation of a public character and any other similar organization or association of persons engaged in philanthropic, educational, or scientific research work in Malta.
Program Features:
- Participants must not engage in gainful employment in Malta.
- Beneficiaries can take up non-executive roles on the board of a Malta-resident company.
- Involvement in activities related to public institutions, trusts, foundations, or similar organizations is allowed.
Official Fee: 2,500 euros.
Legal Support Cost: Upon request.
