Malta’s permanent residency and citizenship: fastest ways to obtain them

5 benefits of becoming a Maltese permanent resident

Permanent residency lets individuals and families:

1. travel visa-free to Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days every six months;
2. relocate, seek employment, or start a business in Malta;
3. become tax residents, benefiting from a 0% tax on foreign income not remitted to Malta;
4. access local healthcare and attend public universities for free;
5. enjoy a Mediterranean climate, scenic views, rich history, and cultural vibrancy with a high quality of life and various leisure activities.

How to obtain permanent residency

Foreigners can gain permanent residency in Malta after 5 years with a temporary permit, applying through the Identity Malta Agency. Residence permits are available for work, education, or family reasons and take 6—8 months to get.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme allows non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizens to relocate to Malta by buying or renting property, paying fees, and donating to charities.

Renting a property for 5 years costs €50,000 in southern Malta or Gozo and €60,000 in the north or centre. Purchasing property requires €300,000 in the south or Gozo and €350,000 in more central or northern areas. 

The purchased property must be retained for 5 years, after which it can be sold, potentially recouping part of the investment.

The contribution fee varies between €58,000 for property rental and €28,000 for property purchase. The administrative fee is fixed at €40,000, and a charitable donation must be of €2,000.

The Malta Permanent Residence Program imposes no quota, language, or cultural knowledge requirements. Permanent residency, confirmed by a Certificate of Maltese Residence, is lifelong. 

Requirements for applicants under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme

Investors must be over 18, have a stable income or a job, a clean criminal record, health insurance, and a cover letter stating their purpose of stay. Investors need a minimum capital of €500,000 and €150,000 in financial assets.

Family inclusion allows adding a spouse or partner, children under 18, dependent unmarried children over 18, and dependent parents or grandparents of the applicant or their spouse. 

Partners can qualify with proof such as joint bank statements, registration certificates, shared property ownership, personal testimonials, and photos and videos demonstrating their relationship.

How to get Malta PR step by step

If you're pursuing Maltese permanent residency by investment, start by consulting with Immigrant Invest lawyers who will guide you through the process, taking at least 6 months:

1. The first step is an initial Due Diligence check against international legal and business databases and internet searches for any compromising information.  
2. Lawyers compile the necessary documents and fill out forms. At this stage, the administration fee is partially paid.
3. The application is submitted to the Residency Malta Agency, which conducts thorough Due Diligence over four months. Additional business and financial information may be requested. Lawyers assist in preparing and submitting all required documents.
4. Once approved, the applicant fulfils investment conditions, including the balance of the administration fee, state contributions, charitable donations, and real estate transactions. The investor also secures medical insurance with a minimum of €30,000 coverage per person.
5. The investor must visit Malta again to apply for residence permit cards and submit biometrics. Family members over 18 may apply separately within six months.
6. The Residency Malta Agency sends a notification that residence permits are ready to the investor’s Maltese address. Applicants must return to Malta to collect their residence permit cards in person.

The agency annually verifies if the investor maintains the residence and the €500,000 asset requirement.

Malta citizenship after permanent residency

Engaging in the Malta Permanent Residence Programme doesn't guarantee a Maltese passport. Citizenship through naturalisation is possible after officially residing in Malta for 5 years, but it might take up to 10 years in reality.

For Malta citizenship, applicants must meet specific criteria: They need a stable income and local health insurance and must pass tests in the Maltese or English language, law, and history. 

They also need endorsements from two non-relative Maltese nationals. The first guarantor should be a professional, such as a lawyer, doctor, civil servant, judge, priest, senior police officer, prosecutor, military officer, magistrate, or notary. The second must be any Maltese citizen over 18 who hasn't received citizenship by naturalisation.

Terms for Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment

The Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment provides a streamlined route for wealthy foreigners. Applicants must meet three investment requirements: contribute to the National Development and Social Fund, donate to an NGO, and buy or lease a residential property.

The required contribution determines the eligibility period for citizenship: €600,000 for a three-year residency or €750,000 for one year. Each family member adds €50,000 to the investment.

Real estate options include a 5-year rental for €80,000 or a property purchase of €700,000. The initial rental for residency is €12,000 per year, increasing to €16,000 annually after citizenship is granted. Purchased properties must be held for 5 years before they can be sold.

There are 9 steps to citizenship:

1. Preliminary Due Diligence is essential to ensure the Maltese authorities will approve the application. A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer reviews potential risks in the investor’s profile.
2. A clearance check conducted by Maltese authorities investigates residency applicants using Interpol and Europol databases.
3. Residence permits are issued for the investor and family members. Lawyers handle due diligence, document legalisation, rental contracts for Maltese property, and medical insurance forms.
4. The Eligibility Assessment is conducted within 12 months of receiving the residence permit, assessing all applicants over 12.
5. The Minister approves or rejects the application after the Eligibility Assessment, allowing for citizenship applications one to three years after the residence permit.
6. Citizenship application varies by investment term. The investor must confirm updates in personal circumstances and update the required documents.
7. The Minister’s final approval is granted as a written confirmation of citizenship eligibility.
8. Within four months of approval, the applicant must invest €750,000 after 12 months or €600,000 after 36 months of receiving the residence permit, proving continued residency in Malta.
9. Applicants must collect their passports in person at the Malta Passport Department.

6 main reasons to become a Maltese citizen

Holding a Maltese passport offers extensive benefits, including but not limited to the following:

1. Malta citizenship grants significant travel freedom, allowing visa-free access to the United States, the United Kingdom, and over 160 other countries. 
2. As Maltese citizens, individuals also have the right to live, work, and study in Malta and other EU countries without additional permits, facilitating ease of relocation. 
3. Malta citizenship also extends opportunities for international business, permitting the opening of companies across the EU to tap into broader markets. 
4. Furthermore, Maltese citizens enjoy the government's various social benefits, including healthcare, education, housing, and social assistance programs. 
5. Importantly, Malta allows dual citizenship, so investors can retain their original nationality if their country of origin permits it. 
6. The citizenship benefits are generational, with children of Maltese citizens automatically receiving citizenship, even if born outside Malta.

Key things to know about Malta permanent residency and citizenship

In summary, Malta offers two main paths to permanent residency: living in Malta for 5 years with a temporary residence permit or through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. This program requires investors to purchase or rent property, contribute to government funds, and make a charitable donation. 

Permanent residents can live, work, and study in Malta and spend up to 90 days out of every 180 without a visa in the Schengen Area.

However, permanent residency does not automatically lead to Maltese citizenship. Citizenship can usually be obtained after a minimum 5-year residence. 

For those seeking a faster route, Malta also offers citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment, which can expedite the process to three or even one year.

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