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Residency · Europe

Malta Permanent Residence Programme

Accepting applicationsFrom EUR 375,000

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Permanent residence in an EU member state for applicants who meet capital, property and contribution requirements, with no minimum stay.

Investment from: EUR 375,000
Processing: 3–7 months
Family: Spouse, Children, Parents
Stay required: No minimum stay

Decision summary

What do you obtain?: Malta Permanent Residence ProgrammeRoute to citizenshipNo investment route to citizenship.
What does your family invest?: Government contribution EUR 37,000 and administration fee EUR 60,000, plus qualifying property, with capital of EUR 500,000 or EUR 650,000.
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Government contribution EUR 37,000 (the same whether buying or renting) and administration fee EUR 60,000, plus qualifying property. Capital of EUR 500,000 (at least EUR 150,000 in financial assets) or EUR 650,000 (at least EUR 75,000 in financial assets).Full details below
What is additional?: Government feesAdministration fee EUR 60,000 (EUR 15,000 on submission, EUR 45,000 on approval in principle); government contribution EUR 37,000.
How long does it take?: Due diligence about 3–7 months; the property, contribution and donation are completed within eight months of approval in principle.
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Due diligence typically takes about 3–7 months; the property, contribution and donation must be completed within eight months of approval in principle. Applicants may ask for temporary residence when they apply: a one-year renewable card once basic checks are done and the first EUR 15,000 is paid, revoked if the application is refused.Full details below
Must you travel or live there?: No minimum stay. Holders file annual declarations on property, health insurance and capital during the first five years.
What is the main drawback?: The main applicant must be 18 or over and not an EU, EEA or Swiss national; a property purchase or five-year lease is required.
Family inclusion: Spouse, Children, Parents · conditions apply
Program status: Operational

Overview

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme grants permanent residence to qualifying third-country nationals and their families. It is administered by the Residency Malta Agency, and applications are filed through a licensed agent.

Applicants make a government contribution, pay an administration fee, make a small donation to a registered philanthropic organisation, and buy or rent qualifying residential property. They must also show minimum capital, part of it in liquid financial assets.

Permanent residence is not citizenship. Since 2025 Malta has no investment route to citizenship, so naturalisation follows the ordinary rules.

Path to citizenship

Ordinary naturalisation rules only

No investment route to citizenship. Naturalisation follows Malta's ordinary residence-based rules.

See every residency route to citizenship →

Who this program may not suit

Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:

Your budget is below EUR 375,000, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.
You may need the money back before the holding period ends: The qualifying property must be kept for at least five years; after that the holder must still keep a residential property in Malta.
You want a second passport: this residence does not lead to citizenship by itself.

Investment pathways

Investment pathway: Purchase of residential property (from EUR 375,000) or a registered lease (from EUR 14,000 a year), together with a government contribution, an administration fee and a philanthropic donation.
Minimum investment: Government contribution EUR 37,000 (the same whether buying or renting) and administration fee EUR 60,000, plus qualifying property. Capital of EUR 500,000 (at least EUR 150,000 in financial assets) or EUR 650,000 (at least EUR 75,000 in financial assets).

Checked against official programme sources

Family inclusion

Spouse
Named in the rule
Children
Named in the rule
Parents
Named in the rule
Siblings
Not named in the rule

Ages, dependency and other conditions are in the rule below; confirm them for each family member.

Eligible dependents: Spouse or partner, children under 18, unmarried children up to 28 who are principally dependent, and financially dependent parents and grandparents of either spouse.

Checked against official programme sources

Application process

1Appoint an agent licensed by Residency Malta Agency under a power of attorney; the agent files the complete application and the first EUR 15,000 of the administration fee is paid.
2Residency Malta runs four-tier due diligence, including police, Interpol and Europol checks; a Maltese law firm estimates this takes roughly three to seven months.
3The Agency's Approvals Board issues a Letter of Approval in Principle or a rejection.
4After approval in principle, pay the remaining EUR 45,000 administration fee, then within eight months buy or lease qualifying property and pay the EUR 37,000 contribution and EUR 2,000 donation.
5Give biometrics in Malta; the residence card is issued only once all investments and conditions are met, is valid for five years and is renewable.
6For the first five years, file annual proof of the property, health insurance and required capital through the agent.

Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.

Indicative timelines

Indicative processing timeframe: Due diligence typically takes about 3–7 months; the property, contribution and donation must be completed within eight months of approval in principle. Applicants may ask for temporary residence when they apply: a one-year renewable card once basic checks are done and the first EUR 15,000 is paid, revoked if the application is refused.

Checked against official programme sources

Investment and fees

Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.

Estimate for your family

Spouse

Children0

Parents0

Investment for your family: EUR 375,000; Property purchase (from)
Known total so far: EUR 375,000; 6 cost items not yet included

Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages

Qualifying investment

Property purchase (from): EUR 375,000

Government & due diligence fees

Government contribution: EUR 37,000
Administration fee: EUR 60,000
Philanthropic donation: EUR 2,000
Residence card (per person, five years): EUR 500

Additional expenses

Or a property lease instead of a purchase (per year, from): EUR 14,000
Each adult dependant: EUR 7,500

Government fees: Administration fee EUR 60,000 (EUR 15,000 on submission, EUR 45,000 on approval in principle); government contribution EUR 37,000.
Estimated additional costs: EUR 2,000 donation to a voluntary organisation registered in Malta; EUR 7,500 for each adult dependant other than the spouse; residence card EUR 500 per person (five years). Agent, legal and property costs are separate.
Investment holding period: The qualifying property must be kept for at least five years; after that the holder must still keep a residential property in Malta.
To be confirmed: Due diligence fees

Checked against official programme sources

Residence requirements

Investment holding period

At least 5 years, as recorded: The qualifying property must be kept for at least five years; after that the holder must still keep a residential property in Malta.

Residence requirements: No minimum stay. Holders file annual declarations on property, health insurance and capital during the first five years.
Renewal requirements: Permanent residence; the residence card is renewed every five years while the conditions are kept.
Potential route to citizenship: No investment route to citizenship. Naturalisation follows Malta's ordinary residence-based rules.

Checked against official programme sources

Due diligence and documentation

Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.

Considerations, limitations and risks

Important restrictions

The main applicant must be 18 or over and not an EU, EEA or Swiss national; a property purchase or five-year lease is required.

Published entry thresholds are not comprehensive costs; taxes, professional fees and dependent charges may apply.
Immigration law, visa access and naturalisation rules can change without notice.
Individual eligibility depends on nationality, financial background, due diligence and program-specific criteria.

Status and authority

Operational status: Operational
Official government authority: Residency Malta Agency
Legal basis: Subsidiary Legislation 217.26 (Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations), as amended by Legal Notice 310 of 2024 and Legal Notice 146 of 2025.
To be confirmed: Nationality restrictions

Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Malta Permanent Residence Programme lead to citizenship?

No. It grants permanent residence only. Malta no longer offers citizenship through investment, so naturalisation follows the ordinary residence-based rules.

Do I have to live in Malta?

There is no minimum stay, but holders must keep the property, capital and health insurance conditions and file annual declarations during the first five years.

Can I rent instead of buying property?

Yes. A registered lease of at least EUR 14,000 a year qualifies as an alternative to a purchase of at least EUR 375,000.

Can I get residence while my application is processed?

Yes. Applicants may ask for temporary residence when they apply. It is reported to be a one-year renewable card, issued after basic checks and payment of the first EUR 15,000 of the administration fee, and withdrawn if the application is refused.

What is the minimum investment for Malta Permanent Residence Programme?

Government contribution EUR 37,000 (the same whether buying or renting) and administration fee EUR 60,000, plus qualifying property. Capital of EUR 500,000 (at least EUR 150,000 in financial assets) or EUR 650,000 (at least EUR 75,000 in financial assets).

Can my family be included?

Spouse or partner, children under 18, unmarried children up to 28 who are principally dependent, and financially dependent parents and grandparents of either spouse.

Is there a minimum stay requirement for Malta Permanent Residence Programme?

No minimum stay. Holders file annual declarations on property, health insurance and capital during the first five years.

How long does the process take?

Due diligence typically takes about 3–7 months; the property, contribution and donation must be completed within eight months of approval in principle. Applicants may ask for temporary residence when they apply: a one-year renewable card once basic checks are done and the first EUR 15,000 is paid, revoked if the application is refused.

Does the Malta Permanent Residence Programme lead to citizenship?

No investment route to citizenship. Naturalisation follows Malta's ordinary residence-based rules.

Is approval guaranteed?

No. Every application is decided by the government concerned after due diligence, and requirements can change.