Malta MPRP frequently asked questions

The MPRP is Malta's residency-by-investment programme for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals. It is established by the Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations (S.L. 217.26, made under article 7A of the Immigration Act) and administered by the Residency Malta Agency. A successful applicant receives a Residence-by-Investment Certificate giving the right to reside, settle or stay indefinitely in Malta, subject to ongoing conditions, together with a residence card.

The Residency Malta Agency, a Government of Malta agency established by the Residency Malta Agency (Establishment) Order, administers the programme, conducts due diligence and issues certificates after authorisation by the Approvals Board. Applications are filed through agents licensed by the Agency.

The regulations came into force on 29 March 2021 (Legal Notice 121 of 2021), replacing the Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP) for all new applications. They have since been amended by Legal Notices 57 and 310 of 2024 and 146 of 2025.

The certificate does not itself grant an employment licence. Beneficiaries who wish to work need a work permit through the normal procedures. Beneficiaries and spouses may set up a business through the competent authorities.

The Agency states that MPRP residence card holders may travel visa-free within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, carrying a valid travel document and the residence card. The MPRP does not grant employment rights in other Schengen countries.

Not automatically. The Agency FAQ notes that a beneficiary may apply for naturalisation after residing in Malta for at least five years (including the 12 months before the application and four of the preceding six years), with knowledge of English or Maltese and good conduct, but the Minister has discretion to grant or refuse. The MPRP is a residence programme distinct from citizenship legislation.

No. This is an independent information platform. The official programme information is published by the Residency Malta Agency at residencymalta.gov.mt, and the governing law is S.L. 217.26. We reference those sources on every page and show the date each page was last verified.

No. The programme is only for third-country nationals. EU citizens, EEA nationals (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Swiss nationals are expressly excluded, as are Maltese nationals. This applies to every dependant too.

The Agency excludes nationals of, and people with close ties to, countries it designates from time to time. The 2024 Agency FAQ listed Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Venezuela, and stated that applications from the Russian Federation and Belarus were not eligible. The list is set by Agency policy and can be revised at any time, so confirm the current position with the Agency or a licensed agent before relying on it.

The Agency FAQ confirms no language test applies. The regulations do not impose a minimum number of days of physical presence in Malta; the obligations relate to property, insurance, assets and conduct.

A policy covering all risks normally covered for Maltese nationals, for the main applicant and every dependant, maintained for as long as the certificate is held. The Agency describes it as covering risks in Malta and other European countries, and its FAQ indicates a minimum of €30,000 cover per annum with full expenses covered for Malta, plus separate travel insurance when travelling in Schengen.

For applications under the current rules (Legal Notice 146 of 2025): a non-refundable administration fee of €60,000 (€15,000 within one month of submission and €45,000 within two months of the Letter of Approval in Principle), a government contribution of €37,000 whether you buy or rent, a €2,000 donation to a registered NGO, €7,500 for each adult dependant other than the spouse (adult children with a certified disability are also exempt), and a residence card fee of €500 per person for five years. On top of this come the property (purchase of at least €375,000 or rent of at least €14,000 per year), health insurance and professional fees.

No. The regulations describe it as a non-refundable administration fee. The Agency FAQ also confirms it is non-transferable to other programmes, such as a citizenship application.

By direct bank transfer from the account declared by the main applicant in Form MPRP2. The Agency does not accept card payments, virtual payment platforms or cryptocurrency for fees and contributions (cards are accepted only for residence card processing fees).

A residential property in Malta or Gozo either purchased for at least €375,000 or rented for at least €14,000 per year, meeting general health and safety standards and suitable for a comparable family. Hotel rooms and non-residential property do not qualify. The property must be held for five years from the date of the certificate.

No. The property title must be presented within eight months of the Letter of Approval in Principle. A property bought or leased before submission is acceptable if it satisfies the qualifying-property rules.

The Agency's programme page lists among the benefits 'the option to lease property, with the possibility to sub-lease after five years' and 'the option to lease purchased property in Special Designated Areas'. The regulations also allow the Agency to issue guidelines on the use of a qualifying property during temporary absences. Confirm the current guidelines with the Agency or your licensed agent before letting a property.

Yes, with the Agency's consent and without any gap: an owned property may be replaced with another owned property, and a rented property with another rented property or a purchased one. Switching from an owned property to a rented one is not permitted in the first five years.

Under the current First Schedule, the spouse, children under 18 and adult children certified as having a disability pay no administration fee. Adult children aged 18 to 28, parents and grandparents each attract a €7,500 non-refundable administration fee. Every person, including the spouse and children, pays the residence card fee.

The spouse (or partner in a relationship of equivalent status); children under 18; unmarried adult children aged 18 to 28 who are principally dependent on the main applicant; adult children with a certified disability (no age limit); and parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse who are not in full-time employment and are principally dependent. Household staff cannot be included.

According to the Agency FAQ, the main applicant must prove that at the time of submission the adult dependant cannot live a self-sufficient basic independent life without the main applicant's support. Adults with accumulated wealth or sufficient income (for example from significant shareholdings, senior corporate roles, financial assets, property or employment) would not be eligible even if the main applicant contributes to their lifestyle. The main applicant declares dependency in an affidavit and should add supporting evidence.

Yes. A beneficiary may apply through the agent to add dependants, the spouse of a dependent child, or the minor child of an approved dependant, subject to due diligence and the applicable administration fee payable on submission.

Application forms (MPRP1, 2, 3, 4/4a, 10), a power of attorney, certified passports, birth and marriage certificates, all divorce certificates, police conduct certificates for everyone over 14, evidence of assets and source of funds and wealth, three months of bank statements, evidence of employment or business ownership, medical reports, and affidavits of dependency for adult dependants. After approval in principle: the property deed or lease, health insurance policy, donation receipt and payment confirmations. Use the interactive checklist for a personalised list.

The regulations set deadlines for the applicant (initial fee within one month of submission; fee balance within two months and property, contribution, donation and insurance within eight months of the Letter of Approval in Principle) but no statutory processing time for the Agency. The Agency says decisions are communicated within a reasonable timeframe commensurate with due-diligence checks. Any overall timeline you see elsewhere is an estimate.

Since Legal Notice 146 of 2025, on submission of the application the applicant may apply for a temporary residence permit valid for one year for themselves and their dependants, renewable for further one-year periods provided all application documentation is submitted within six months of the application.

Yes. The regulations require every application to be made through an agent licensed by the Residency Malta Agency. The Agency publishes a public register of licensed agents. Agents set their own professional fees.

Grounds include failing the fit-and-proper criteria in regulation 13 (criminal charges or convictions, sanctions listings, threats to public policy or security, previous refusals), providing false or misleading information or omitting requested information, not paying the initial fee within one month, and not fulfilling the property, contribution, donation and insurance requirements within the deadlines after approval in principle. Agency decisions are discretionary and not subject to appeal.

The minimum-value property requirement falls away, but to keep the residence status the beneficiary must still hold a residential property in Malta or Gozo and maintain health insurance. The Agency may continue to check compliance and carry out spot checks at its discretion. The capital-asset requirement applies for the first five years only.

No. The Agency FAQ states that the MPRP does not provide any tax status or benefit; ordinary Maltese tax rules apply. As a general principle, non-domiciled individuals resident in Malta are taxed on Malta-source income and gains and on foreign income remitted to Malta; individual circumstances vary and tax advice should be sought.