Residence by investment in MaltaOverview
The MPRP replaced the Malta Residence and Visa Programme in 2021 and is administered by Residency Malta Agency under Legal Notice 121 of 2021. Unlike most European programmes, it confers permanent residence immediately rather than a temporary permit, and it does so without a minimum stay requirement. Applications can only be filed through an agent licensed by the Agency, and every applicant is subject to multi-tier due diligence before the Board of Approvals issues a letter of approval in principle.
For applications submitted from 1 January 2025, Legal Notice 146 of 2025 simplified the cost structure. The administration fee is €60,000, paid as €15,000 on submission and €45,000 on approval in principle. A single government contribution of €37,000 now applies whether the applicant buys or leases, together with a €2,000 donation to a registered Maltese NGO. Further administration and contribution fees are payable for dependants, notably for adult dependants such as parents and grandparents. The applicant must also secure a residential property within eight months of approval, either by purchase for at least €375,000 or by lease for at least €14,000 a year, and keep a qualifying property for at least the first five years.
The 2025 changes also introduced a one-year temporary residence permit available after initial screening, so that families can begin living in Malta while due diligence is completed, and they allow a purchased qualifying property to be let on a short-term basis. Residency Malta monitors beneficiaries for five years through annual compliance declarations.
MPRP status does not, in itself, make the holder tax resident. Those who do become resident but not domiciled are taxed on a remittance basis: foreign income is taxed only if brought into Malta, and foreign capital gains are not taxed even if remitted. Families seeking a defined tax position can consider the separate Global Residence Programme, which applies a 15% rate to remitted foreign income with a minimum annual tax of €15,000. Malta's former citizenship-by-investment route was ended after the April 2025 ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU; citizenship is now available only through naturalisation for exceptional services by merit.
Key benefits
- Permanent residence from approval, with no minimum stay requirement
- Four generations can be included: spouse, children, parents and grandparents
- Choice between purchasing and leasing a qualifying property
- Full Schengen access for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- English-speaking EU jurisdiction with a common-law influenced legal tradition
- Remittance-basis taxation for resident non-domiciled individuals
- A temporary residence permit available while due diligence is completed
Requirements
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national aged 18 or over
- Capital of €500,000 with at least €150,000 in liquid financial assets, or €650,000 with at least €75,000 liquid (cryptocurrency excluded)
- Qualifying residential property purchased for at least €375,000 or leased for at least €14,000 a year
- Payment of the €60,000 administration fee and €37,000 government contribution
- A €2,000 donation to a registered Maltese philanthropic or cultural NGO
- Clean criminal record and successful due diligence for every applicant
- Global health insurance covering all family members
- Application filed through a licensed agent registered with Residency Malta Agency
- Annual compliance declarations during the first five years
Investment options
Property purchase route
€375,000 property + €99,000 fees
Purchase of a residential property of at least €375,000, held for at least five years, plus the €60,000 administration fee, €37,000 contribution and €2,000 donation.
Property lease route
€14,000 per year + €99,000 fees
A registered lease of at least €14,000 a year for at least five years, plus the same government fees and donation.
Dependants
Spouse, children, parents and grandparents can be added. Additional administration and contribution fees apply per dependant, with a higher charge for adult dependants; the current schedule is confirmed at pre-assessment.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Pre-assessment
We review eligibility, family composition and capital, and identify any due diligence issues before an application is prepared.
- 2
Submission through a licensed agent
The application is filed with Residency Malta Agency and the first €15,000 of the administration fee is paid.
- 3
Due diligence
The Agency carries out multi-tier background checks, usually over several months; a temporary permit may be requested after initial screening.
- 4
Approval in principle
On approval, the remaining €45,000 administration fee is paid within two months.
- 5
Property, contribution and donation
Within eight months the property is purchased or leased, and the €37,000 contribution and €2,000 donation are paid.
- 6
Biometrics and residence cards
The residence certificate is issued and the family attends biometrics in Malta to collect their residence cards.
Typical documents
- Valid passports and passport photographs for all applicants
- Police certificates from the country of nationality and countries of residence
- Birth and marriage certificates, with certified translations
- Bank and asset statements evidencing the capital requirement
- Source of funds and source of wealth evidence
- Medical certificates and global health insurance policies
- Property deed or registered lease agreement
- Proof of payment of fees, contribution and donation
- Proof of dependency for adult dependants
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth helps families decide whether the MPRP, the Global Residence Programme or a combination best fits their residence and tax goals. We prepare a robust source-of-wealth file before submission, coordinate with licensed Maltese agents, property advisers and tax practitioners, and plan the sequence of fees, property and biometrics so that the process runs predictably. Our work is discreet and compliance-first, and we look at how Maltese residence fits into the family's wider succession and asset-holding arrangements.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
Is the MPRP a permanent or temporary permit?
It grants permanent residence. The residence card itself is renewed every five years, provided the conditions continue to be met.
What are the total government costs?
For the main applicant, spouse and minor children: a €60,000 administration fee, a €37,000 contribution and a €2,000 donation, totalling €99,000, plus additional fees for dependants, which are higher for adult dependants such as parents. Property costs are separate.
Do I have to live in Malta?
No minimum stay is required to keep MPRP status. Tax residence and naturalisation are separate matters with their own conditions.
Can the property be rented out?
Under the 2025 rules, a purchased qualifying property may be let on a short-term basis. The family must still maintain a qualifying property in Malta.
Does the MPRP lead to Maltese citizenship?
Not directly. Citizenship by investment ended after the 2025 EU court ruling. Naturalisation is available after long residence or through the merit-based route for exceptional services.
How is a Malta resident taxed?
Resident non-domiciled individuals are taxed on Maltese income and on foreign income remitted to Malta. Foreign capital gains are not taxed. The Global Residence Programme offers a 15% rate with a €15,000 minimum.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
