Golden Visa in Malta: The Permanent Residence Programme

Investors from non-EU and non-EEA countries looking to relocate to Malta can benefit from the golden visa program through investments in this country. There are two important programs that can be in the best interest of an entrepreneur. As for the legal requirements for buying a golden visa in Malta, we suggest you talk to our team of local lawyers in Malta who can also explain the entire procedure, with respect to the applicable laws.

Moving to Malta through the golden visa program requires meeting specific requirements that are presented below.

Qualification requirements for those who want to apply for a Malta golden visa

First of all, it is important to note that moving to Malta under the golden visa addresses only non-EU citizens. These must comply with the Citizenship Act which was amended in 2014 with the purpose of accommodating the procedures for those who wanted to buy citizenship (an option abolished in July 2025).

These must meet the following requirements in order to be accepted into the golden visa/citizenship by merit scheme:

they must be at least 18 years old at the time the application is submitted,
they must pass a fit and proper test which will require a background check from the authorities,
they must pass a medical examination and file a health certificate,
under the former investor route (abolished in July 2025), they were also required to make contributions to the National Development and Social Fund, as well as investments under the conditions of the program.

Those who want to move to Malta through golden passports and have questions about the requirements can rely on our specialists who can explain to them all the legal steps and procedures they must comply with.

Golden visa countries offer the option to move to a favorable jurisdiction or only occasionally visit it physically, depending on the applicant’s preferences. The right to live, work, study, and receive healthcare in the respective state, however, is available by having a residency there. We invite you to explore your options with the help of our agents in the respective countries.

If you are interested in starting a business in Malta, we can put you in touch with our local partners.

What are the requirements for obtaining a Malta golden visa in 2026?

The golden visa program for Malta (today the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, MPRP) was launched in 2021, replacing the 2015 programme, as an amendment provided by the Maltese Immigration Act. The following criteria are important for foreigners interested in placing their investments in Malta:

the accepted candidates are those from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland and of at least 18 years of age;
a non-refundable administrative fee of EUR 60,000 and a government contribution of EUR 37,000 are necessary at the time you apply for golden passports;
renting or buying a property is a mandatory rule for each candidate;
buying a property of at least EUR 375,000 (or renting one for at least EUR 14,000 a year) and holding capital assets of at least EUR 500,000 (EUR 150,000 in financial assets) are also requirements for obtaining the golden visa for Malta.

Under the former 2015 programme (no longer available), investing in Maltese government bonds a minimum of EUR 250,000 for a period of five years granted indefinite residency for foreigners in Malta. It is good to know that the current government contribution under the MPRP is EUR 37,000. We remind you that our team of attorneys in Malta is at the disposal of foreign investors interested in golden visa countries.

If you want to move to Malta on a golden visa/citizenship by merit, all requirements will be explained by our specialists.

The Malta investment visa – the newest immigration scheme

The Malta golden visa is one of the most appealing programs in Europe and the European Union, as it encompasses several programs reunited under one. The best-known such program was the Individual Investor Program, which was included in the country’s immigration legislation and which targeted citizenship (it no longer exists).

Even if the European Union has issued specific conditions about these programs which have determined several countries to renounce such schemes, Malta amended its golden visa requirements several times to keep the program running, but on 29 April 2025 the EU Court of Justice ruled its citizenship by investment scheme contrary to EU law (Case C-181/23) and it was abolished in July 2025. The residence programme (MPRP) continues to operate.

At the end of 2020, the new golden visa program was amended with new conditions, among which the most important refers to the minimum amount to be injected and the timeframe for obtaining Maltese citizenship.

Under a minimum investment of 600,000 euros, a foreign citizen could obtain Maltese citizenship within 3 years (until July 2025), while for an investment of 750,000 a Maltese passport could be obtained within 1 year. Through this new program, the authorities hoped to attract high-net-worth individuals who are genuinely interested in participating in the well-being of this country.

Our specialist can offer more information on the conditions related to obtaining a Malta investment visa. We can also advise on other golden visa countries.

All applications for the investment visa are now processed by the Residency Malta Agency.

The Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment

In 2020, the authorities created the Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (MEIN) which targeted ultra-high net worth people; it was abolished in July 2025 after the EU Court of Justice ruling of 29 April 2025, having been one of the most desired citizenship by investment countries.

Under this former scheme (closed in July 2025), the requirements were:

a minimum contribution of 600,000 euros to the National Development Fund,
the possibility of maintaining Maltese residency for 36 months.

For those interested in acquiring Maltese citizenship faster, there was also a quicker possibility which implied a higher contribution of 750,000 euros and proof of being able to maintain Maltese residency for 12 months.

For those who want to bring family members to the country under the Malta golden visa program, the following additional financial requirements applied:

for each dependent, an additional contribution of 50,000 euros must be made,
700,000 euros must be committed to the purchase of a residential property,
the alternative is 16,000 euros that must be used for renting a property,
another 10,000 euros must be donated to philanthropic, cultural, sport, or scientific projects.

What should be noted about the real estate investment is that the amount of money must be kept for 5 years. The value of the rental agreement (16,000 euros) is calculated per year.

Moving to Malta through a golden visa is one of the quickest ways of obtaining a European Union residency. Even if there are other countries that offer access to EU citizenship, Malta is one of the most appreciated destinations in Europe.

If you want to buy a golden visa, you can rely on our specialists who can also direct you to other programs, such as those developed by Greece or Cyprus (Ireland and the UK have closed their investor programmes).

If you want to enter programs in citizenship by investment countries, you can rely on our advisors for detailed information.

Family reunion through the golden visa in Malta

Dependents may be listed on the main investor’s application for a Maltese Golden Visa if they enter one of the following qualifying categories:

they are the spouse or long-term civil partner of the applicant (common law marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships are accepted);
biological and adopted children under the age of 18 of the main applicant or their spouse;
single adult children who depend financially on the applicant or his/her spouse/partner;
adult children’s spouses or partners if the latter have a medically recognized disability;
the main applicant’s parents and grandparents;
adult children of the spouse/partner who meet the same conditions as the main applicant’s offspring.

Real estate rental as an option for investment immigration to Malta

Malta is one of the few countries to create a special immigration program under which renting a property is an option. Moreover, the value of the respective real estate is not high. There are also other requirements to comply with but generally speaking, this is a great option for those who are not sure if they want to obtain Maltese passports from the beginning. This is also a suitable option for those interested in retiring here.

Here are the main conditions when renting a property with the intention of obtaining a Malta golden visa:

the value of the rental contract must be at least 14,000 euros per year, wherever the estate is located in Malta or the Island of Gozo;
if the real estate is based in other regions of Malta, the same EUR 14,000 minimum applies (a purchased property must be worth at least EUR 375,000);

One must be careful when choosing this option, as the Malta golden visa requirements in this form apply to single applicants. When immigrating with family members, the property thresholds stay the same, but a fee of EUR 7,500 is due for each adult dependant other than the spouse. Also, donations and contributions to government-established funds are required.

Before making any choice, we invite you to discuss with our specialists in order to make an informed decision.

Citizenship by merit in Malta

Under the modified Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188), Malta replaced its investor-citizenship program in July 2025 with a merit-based naturalization pathway. Under the new system, citizenship may be awarded to people whose extraordinary contributions in fields like science, innovation, culture, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, or social impact are considered to be of exceptional interest to Malta or humanity at large, rather than based on a set financial investment.

This immigration pathway does not need a minimum contribution, a real estate purchase, a rental commitment, or a charitable giving. However, the applicant must undergo expanded due diligence under an independent review board and present a strong proposal that shows value generation or strategic advantage to Malta.

The process of obtaining a golden visa in Malta

The procedure of obtaining a golden visa in Malta is rather simple, however, due to the paperwork that needs to be carefully prepared, it is recommended to use specialized services. According to our golden visa agents in Malta:

the applicant must first submit a request for a residence permit,
following that, the documents for the due diligence of the authorities must be filed,
provided that the eligibility criteria are met, a Letter of Approval in Principle from the Residency Malta Agency will be issued,
then, once the property, contribution and donation conditions are met, the successful candidate will receive a permanent residence certificate.

One of the greatest benefits of the Malta golden visa is that the applicant and family members (where applicable) will obtain permanent residence after moving here (citizenship is not granted through this programme).

If you need support in applying for residency or citizenship by merit in Malta, do not hesitate to request our agents’ help. The new Malta golden visa requirements can be explained by our lawyers.

The benefits of a golden visa in Malta

Traveling freely in the Schengen Area is probably the most important benefit offered to foreign investors in Malta who have obtained the golden visa for Malta. Besides that, the family members can benefit from the same rights of living and working in Malta as the main candidate. The indefinite leave to remain is granted to foreigners who obtain the golden visa through the governmental program which gained success from the first time it was implemented in Malta. Likewise, one must know that dependent children must be under 29 at the time of application (unless certified as having a disability). We remind that Malta is part of the Schengen Area and a significant financial player on the international market.

If you have any questions on the Malta golden visa requirements for 2026, you can send them to our consultants.

Tax advantages as Maltese resident

There are no specific tax requirements if you obtain European citizenship in Malta through an investment program. The only way you or your family’s tax situation will alter once you become a Maltese citizen is if you choose to establish a tax residence. Or, to put it more simply, unless you have a residence in Malta.

You can maintain your non-domicile status and benefit from a very favorable tax exposure even if you move to Malta. In addition, you are only required to pay taxes on income earned within the nation and on foreign income remitted to Malta. Moreover, neither foreign income that is not remitted to Malta nor capital gains derived outside of Malta will be subject to taxation.

Why does the Malta golden visa address non-EU citizens only?

The 2026 Malta investment visa is quite appealing for people from all over the world, however, it is a known thing that it only addresses non-EU citizens. This happens because Malta is an EU member state and citizens of these countries have other options (simpler options) for moving here without having to apply for any visa no matter if they want to work or start their own businesses here.

In order to attract persons from other parts of the world, but mainly investors, many EU countries have enabled golden visas. After Cyprus, which was one of the first states in the world to create such a program, others have followed its example.

Malta was one of the European countries to create a balanced program that targeted investors and high net worth individuals interested in living and enjoying life in one of the most beautiful countries on the Old Continent.

The Malta golden visa requirements are now diverse and adapted to the needs of all those interested in immigrating here.

Access to EU citizenship

At the level of 2026, applicants and their families can enjoy all the rights of EU citizens, including the freedom to live, work, and study wherever in the EU, by becoming citizens of Malta. Through the citizenship process, applicants obtain a European passport, granting them visa-free travel to over 180 nations and territories, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada. Malta is a part of the EU Schengen area and a full member of the EU. Malta’s inhabitants can travel, live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union because they are also citizens of Europe. Maltese nationals and passport holders are free to live in any of the 27 EU member states.

Those who want to apply for a golden visa in Malta in 2026 must meet certain requirements, among which they must buy a property of at least 375,000 euros or rent one for at least 14,000 euros a year (the former 600,000/750,000-euro citizenship routes ended in July 2025). Updated information can be given by our specialists in this country.

Specialized assistance in buying a golden visa in Malta

Malta has several programs, each with its own requirements when it comes to golden visas. Under some of them, a foreign applicant can obtain permanent residency, while citizenship is now granted only through the merit-based route.

Our specialists can guide you in making a suitable choice. They will explain all the requirements, and provide background checks to see if you qualify for the selected type of visa, but they will also offer assistance in preparing the necessary documents for immigration.

No matter the program you choose, you can rely on us to be your reliable partners.

FAQ on the Malta golden visa scheme

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions on the Malta golden visa and its requirements:

How many citizenship schemes does Malta have?

Malta has a citizenship by merit and a residency scheme, each with its requirements.

How long does it take for the application for the golden visa to be approved?

The application procedure takes between 6 and 8 months to complete, as it depends on various factors.

Will I obtain Maltese citizenship automatically after entering the golden visa program?

No. The residence programme gives you permanent residence, not a Maltese passport, however, our agents can offer more information on this aspect.

What are the main benefits of this program?

The Malta golden visa will enable you to live and work here but it does not give the right to live or work in other EU countries. Apart from this, you will be able to travel within the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period).

We invite you to get in touch with our lawyers in Malta if you need legal assistance for buying a golden visa in Malta in 2026.