Malta offers multiple residency and citizenship opportunities for investors looking to obtain freedom of travel, gain business prospects, or move to a warm country in the heart of the Mediterranean.
To help you navigate the options and select the most suitable one, we sought insights from Julia Loko, an investment migration expert at Immigrant Invest. In the interview, Loko details the residency by investment and citizenship initiatives in Malta, outlining their requirements and investment thresholds.
What investment programs are available in Malta?
Investors aiming to obtain legal status in Malta have three options:
- Get a temporary residence permit under the Malta Global Residence Programme.
- Obtain a permanent residence permit under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
- Acquire Maltese citizenship by naturalisation — for exceptional services by direct investment.
Investors have the opportunity to extend their application status to family members. However, the specific relatives eligible for inclusion vary by program. Foreign investors can choose to set up a firm in Malta with the help of local experts from BridgeWest.
Immigrant Invest, as a licensed agent officially recognised under licence number AKM-IMIN, provides comprehensive assistance to investors seeking to secure citizenship and residency in Malta. The Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP) grants an initial 1-year residence permit, extendable for a further 2 years. Applicants are required to make a minimum investment of €30,000. Eligible family members that can be included in the application are as follows:
- the investor’s spouse or partner;
- dependent children under 25;
- siblings;
- parents and grandparents;
- household staff.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) provides permanent residency status for life with a minimum investment of €150,000. This status extends to the investor’s spouse, as well as their unmarried children and principally dependent parents and grandparents, regardless of age. Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment requires a minimum investment of €690,000. The eligibility for family members to be included in this citizenship application mirrors that of the MPRP, albeit with specific age restrictions. Specifically, only children who are under 29 years of age and parents or grandparents aged 55 and above can be included.
What key advantages do Maltese citizenship and residency offer?
Each investment program in Malta offers distinct advantages, tailored to different needs and aspirations. For instance, obtaining a residence permit grants investors visa-free access to the Schengen Area, enhancing travel convenience across Europe. On the other hand, acquiring citizenship by naturalisation significantly broadens this horizon, securing free entry to over 160 states worldwide. Beyond travel freedom, citizenship also offers a suite of additional rights and opportunities, including the ability to work, live, and study in diverse international locales.
How to become a Maltese citizen for exceptional services by direct investment?
Investors interested in obtaining a Maltese passport must undergo a process of naturalisation. Initially, this involves securing a residence permit. After maintaining this status for either one or three years — depending on specific program requirements — applicants become eligible to apply for citizenship. This pathway to citizenship includes three compulsory investment conditions: the leasing or purchasing of property in Malta, making a contribution to the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF), and fulfilling a charitable donation requirement. Real estate investment can be made via purchase or rent. For purchases, the property must have a minimum value of €700,000 and be retained by the investor for at least 5 years following the acquisition of their Maltese passport. For rental options, investors initially sign a lease agreement for a minimum annual rent of €12,000, valid for either 1 or 3 years. Upon obtaining citizenship, they are required to enter into a new rental agreement with a minimum annual rent of €16,000, maintaining this arrangement for at least 5 years. The contribution to the NDSF is determined by the duration of residency in Malta prior to applying for citizenship. Investors applying after 1 year of residency must contribute €750,000, while those opting for citizenship after 3 years are required to contribute €600,000. The charitable donation is €10,000. This donation remains constant, irrespective of the investor’s chosen timeframe for applying for citizenship or their method of investing in real estate.
How to obtain a residence permit under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
The Malta Permanent Residence Program offers third-country nationals the opportunity to gain lifelong residency status. Eligibility for this program requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum capital of €500,000, of which at least €150,000 must be in liquid assets. To qualify, candidates are required to meet three mandatory investment conditions under this program: making a charitable donation, paying the prescribed state fees, and investing in real estate within the country. A charitable donation of at least €2,000 must be made to a Maltese non-government organisation (NGO), which has been approved by the Residency Malta Agency. Real estate investment can be achieved either by leasing or purchasing residential property within Malta. The minimum investment required varies depending on the property’s location. For leasing, investors are required to enter into a rental agreement for a minimum duration of 5 years, with an annual rent of at least €10,000 for properties located in the South of Malta or on the island of Gozo, and €12,000 for properties in other regions. In the case of purchasing property, the minimum investment is €300,000 for properties in the South of Malta or on the island of Gozo, and €350,000 for properties situated in any other region. State fees for the Malta Permanent Residence Program include a direct contribution to the Government of Malta in addition to an administration fee. The contribution amount is determined by the method of real estate investment: €28,000 for investors who choose to purchase property and €58,000 for those opting to rent. Additionally, all applicants are subject to an administration fee of €40,000.
How does the Malta Global Residence Programme work?
Within the Global Residence Programme, investors are granted residence permits in Malta for an initial period of 1 year, with the possibility of renewal for additional 2-year intervals. To participate in the programme, investors must fulfil several criteria: investing in real estate within the country, covering necessary administrative fees, and adhering to a special taxation regime designed for international residents. Real estate investment can be achieved through either renting or purchasing property in Malta. The minimum investment required varies by region. For rental properties, the minimum annual rent is set at €8,750 for properties located in the South of Malta and on the island of Gozo, while properties in other regions have a minimum annual rent of €9,600. In terms of purchasing, investors are required to spend at least €220,000 on properties in the South of Malta and the island of Gozo. For properties in all other regions, the minimum purchase price is €275,000. The administrative fee for participants in the Global Residence Programme is €5,500 for applicants who purchase property in the South of Malta or on the island of Gozo and €6,000 for other cases. The programme’s special taxation regime is structured as follows:
- A 15% tax on foreign income remitted to Malta. The tax paid cannot be less than €15,000 per annum.
- A 35% tax on any income earned within Malta.
- No tax on foreign income not transferred to Malta.
What are the benefits of applying for Malta residence and citizenship with Immigrant Invest?
To apply for Malta’s citizenship and investment programs, investors must work with a licensed agent. Immigrant Invest, having met all regulatory requirements and passed government Due Diligence checks, is a trusted partner in this journey. Our team of experienced lawyers specialises in navigating the complexities of each program, ensuring a personalised strategy that aligns with your specific goals. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our remarkable success rate: 99% of applications facilitated by us receive approval. If you’re exploring the possibility of obtaining citizenship or residency in Malta, we invite you to reach out to the professional team at Immigrant Invest for unparalleled guidance and support.
