MPRP requirements

Plain English

The MPRP is only open to people who are not citizens of an EU member state, an EEA state (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or Switzerland. Maltese citizens cannot apply. The same applies to every dependant included on the certificate.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and every dependant

Documented exceptions

None documented. A beneficiary who later becomes a Maltese, EEA or Swiss national ceases to benefit from the certificate (regulation 17(1)).

Official wording

“"third-country national" means any person who is not a citizen of the European Union within the meaning of Article 20 of the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: Provided that for the purposes of these regulations, EEA nationals and Swiss nationals shall not be considered to be third-country nationals.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (definition) and regulation 15(1)(a), 15(2)(a)

Required evidence

Certified true copy of the full passport for each person; identity card where issued.

Common mistakes

Dual nationals holding an EU passport are not third-country nationals for these purposes.

Plain English

Only an adult (18 or over) can be the main applicant. Younger family members can be included as dependants.

Who it applies to

Main applicant

Official wording

“An individual who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years, as duly represented by an agent, may apply to the Agency for the issuance of a certificate under these regulations.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 9(1)

Required evidence

Passport and birth certificate.

Plain English

The Residency Malta Agency publishes, and periodically revises, a list of countries whose nationals (or people with close ties to them) cannot apply. The list is a policy decision of the Agency, not part of the regulations, so it can change at any time.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and dependants

Documented exceptions

The Agency decides which countries are excluded and may revise the list at its discretion.

Official wording

“They must not hail from sanctioned countries, as announced from time to time by Residency Malta.”

Residency Malta Agency MPRP page; S.L. 217.26 regulation 13(1)(h) (international sanctions)

Required evidence

Nationality shown in the passport; the Agency also considers close ties to an excluded country.

Common mistakes

Assuming a list found on a third-party website is current. The FAQ (V2.6.1, 2024) named 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; this list may since have been revised — confirm with the Agency or a licensed agent.

Plain English

The main applicant and dependants cannot at the same time benefit from the Residents Scheme Regulations, the Highly Qualified Persons Rules, the High Net Worth Individuals (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss) Rules, the Malta Retirement Programme Rules, the Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity Rules or the Residence Programme Rules.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and dependants

Official wording

“he is not a person who benefits under the Residents Scheme Regulations, the Highly Qualified Persons Rules, the High Net Worth Individuals - Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals Rules, the Malta Retirement Programme Rules, the Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity (Personal Tax) Rules or the Residence Programme Rules”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (definition 'dependant', proviso); regulation 15(1)(b), 15(2)(b)

Required evidence

Declaration in the application forms.

Plain English

On submission, the main applicant must prove they own assets worth at least €500,000, of which at least €150,000 are financial assets (for example bank deposits, listed shares, bonds or funds). Alternatively, assets of at least €650,000 with at least €75,000 in financial assets. The requirement applies to the main applicant alone and does not increase with the number of dependants. The capital must be maintained for five years from the date the certificate is issued.

Who it applies to

Main applicant (the spouse's share of jointly owned property may count only if the spouse is on the application — FAQ Q25)

Documented exceptions

A qualifying property purchased by the main applicant may count towards the assets (regulation 12(1)(c) proviso).

Official wording

“Upon submission of the application, the main applicant … shall present evidence of possession of assets, to the satisfaction of the Agency: (a) having a value of not less than five hundred thousand euro (€500,000), out of which a minimum of one hundred and fifty thousand euro (€150,000) shall be in the form of financial assets …; or (b) having a value of not less than six hundred and fifty thousand euro (€650,000), out of which a minimum of seventy-five thousand euro (€75,000) shall be in the form of financial assets …”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 9(2); regulation 15(1)(g) (held for five years)

Required evidence

Bank statements, investment portfolio statements, property valuations by an architect, company financial statements — issued by reputable institutions (FAQ Q32–Q33). Cryptocurrencies are not accepted as financial assets (FAQ Q27).

Common mistakes

Counting assets held in a benefactor's name (they must be transferred to the applicant with documentary evidence — FAQ Q36); relying on an employment income test, which no longer exists (FAQ Q28).

Plain English

The applicant must be able to support themselves and their dependants without relying on Malta's social assistance system, for the whole life of the certificate.

Who it applies to

Main applicant (in respect of the whole family)

Official wording

“he is in receipt of stable and regular resources which are sufficient to maintain himself and his dependants without recourse to the social assistance system of Malta”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 15(1)(d)

Required evidence

Statement of source of funds and wealth (Form MPRP2), bank statements, evidence of employment or business ownership.

Plain English

Within eight months of the Letter of Approval in Principle the applicant must show title to a residential property in Malta or Gozo — either purchased for at least €375,000 or rented for at least €14,000 a year. The property must meet health and safety standards and be suitable for the family. It must be held for at least five years from the date the certificate is issued; afterwards the beneficiary must still hold a residential property in Malta or Gozo, but the minimum value no longer applies.

Who it applies to

Main applicant

Documented exceptions

A property bought before the application for less than €375,000 can qualify if works paid for by the applicant bring its value to at least €375,000, supported by an independent architect's valuation; the Agency may appoint its own architect and decides in all cases (regulation 3, provisos). During the first five years an owned property may be replaced with another owned property, and a rented property with another rented or an owned property, with the Agency's consent (regulation 15(1)(c) proviso). Switching from owned to rented is not allowed in the first five years (FAQ Q16, Q18).

Official wording

“"qualifying owned property" means an immovable residential property purchased or acquired by title of emphyteusis at a consideration of not less than three hundred and seventy-five thousand euro (€375,000) for a property situated in Malta or Gozo … "qualifying rented property" means a residential property taken on lease for a rent of not less than fourteen thousand euro (€14,000) per annum for a property situated in Malta or Gozo”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (definitions); regulation 9(4)(b); regulation 15(1)(c)

Required evidence

Deed of purchase or lease agreement; for leases, Housing Authority registration, utility bill, photos and rent receipt (FAQ Q16); declaration of bedrooms and square metres.

Common mistakes

Hotel rooms or non-residential property do not qualify (FAQ Q19). An Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit is still required for purchases outside a Special Designated Area (FAQ Q21).

Plain English

The main applicant and every dependant must hold a health insurance policy covering, in Malta, the risks normally covered for Maltese nationals, and keep it in force for as long as they hold the certificate. Dependants are not issued a residence card until they prove they have cover. The Agency describes the policy as covering risks in Malta and other European countries.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and every dependant

Official wording

“present a health insurance policy in respect of all risks normally covered for Maltese nationals … he is in possession of a health insurance in respect of all risks normally covered for Maltese nationals for himself and his dependants as the Agency considers appropriate from time to time”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 9(4)(d); regulation 15(1)(f); regulation 15(3)

Required evidence

Insurance policy document presented within eight months of the Letter of Approval in Principle, with a signed declaration that the main applicant will cover any additional local medical expenses not covered by the policy (FAQ Q83).

Common mistakes

Letting the policy lapse — the Agency removes a dependant from the certificate if cover is not maintained (regulation 15(3)). The FAQ indicates a minimum cover of €30,000 per annum for Malta, with separate travel insurance for Schengen travel (FAQ Q84).

Plain English

Applicants must confirm that they and their dependants are not suffering from a serious illness or contagious disease and are otherwise in good health, so that they will not be an unreasonable burden on Malta's health system. A medical report and questionnaire (Form MPRP3) completed by a medical practitioner is part of the application.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and every dependant

Official wording

“confirmation to the satisfaction of the Agency that the main applicant and his dependants are not suffering from any serious illness or contagious disease and that they are otherwise in good health and will not be, in terms of the medical review carried out by the Agency, of an unreasonable burden on the national health system”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 12(1)(f)

Required evidence

Form MPRP3 (Medical Report and Questionnaire) with the patient's identification document stamped and signed by the examining physician (FAQ Q61–Q62).

Plain English

Every applicant and dependant aged 14 or over is subject to background verification. The regulations list disqualifying circumstances: being indicted before an international criminal court; being listed by INTERPOL or EUROPOL; posing a threat to national security, public policy or public health; charges or convictions for terrorism, money laundering, funding of terrorism, crimes against humanity, war crimes or human-rights crimes; offences against the good order of the family (such as paedophilia, rape, abduction); any offence punishable with more than one year's imprisonment (other than an involuntary offence); being named in international sanctions; a previous refusal of an MPRP certificate or of Maltese citizenship; previous loss of a certificate; involvement in activity that may bring Malta into disrepute; or the application being against the public interest.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and every dependant (background checks from age 14)

Official wording

“the minimum eligibility criteria for an application under these regulations, for the main applicant and any of his dependants, shall be as follows: (a) a proper background verification of the main applicant and his dependants over the age of fourteen (14) years … (l) the application is not deemed to be against the public interest.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 13(1)(a)–(l); regulation 14 (due diligence)

Required evidence

Police conduct certificates; sworn declaration that the information provided is true (regulation 13(1)(g)); agent's know-your-customer report; the Agency's own multi-tier due diligence including third-party providers.

Common mistakes

Omitting a country of residence from the police-certificate list; providing false or incomplete information, which alone is a ground for refusal (regulation 12(6)).

Plain English

An original conduct certificate is required for the main applicant and every dependant over 14, from the country of origin and from every country where the person lived for more than six months in the last ten years. Where a certificate genuinely cannot be obtained, the Agency may accept a sworn affidavit declaring a clean criminal record.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and dependants over 14

Documented exceptions

In exceptional cases where the certificate is proven unobtainable, an affidavit may be accepted; the Agency may allow late submission before approval in principle.

Official wording

“a conduct certificate, in original format, in relation to the main applicant and any dependant who is older than fourteen (14) years of age at the time of application, issued by the competent authorities in the country of origin and in the country or countries of residence where such a person would have resided for a period of more than six (6) months during the last ten (10) years.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 12(1)(a)

Required evidence

Original certificates (apostilled/legalised where applicable) with authenticated English translations.

Common mistakes

A Maltese police certificate is not required if the applicant never resided in Malta (FAQ Q46).

Plain English

Forms and supporting documents must be completed in English. Documents in another language need an authenticated translation. Unless an original is expressly required, a certified copy of the original is acceptable; the certifier must state their name, capacity, address, telephone and email.

Who it applies to

All documents

Official wording

“Application forms and other accompanying documents shall be completed in English. If the original language of the accompanying documents is not English, the documents shall be accompanied by an authenticated translation into English.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 12(3); regulation 13(2)

Required evidence

Certified copies by a warranted lawyer or notary, commissioner for oaths, Maltese consular officer or Agency officer (regulation 3, 'certified copy').

Plain English

The main applicant must swear an affidavit confirming that they support each dependant over 18 other than the spouse (adult children, parents, grandparents). Supporting evidence of dependency is recommended.

Who it applies to

Adult children, parents and grandparents included as dependants

Official wording

“The main applicant shall provide an affidavit confirming that he supports each dependant who is over eighteen (18) years old, except for the spouse.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 12(4)

Required evidence

Affidavit sworn before a person empowered to administer oaths (video-call oaths are not accepted — FAQ Q66); supporting financial records where available.

Plain English

For the first five years from the certificate date the Agency monitors compliance annually (through the MPRP5 compliance form), and afterwards whenever it sees fit. Beneficiaries must keep the qualifying property, the health insurance, the capital assets, stable resources and a valid travel document, and must notify the Agency within four weeks of any event that could affect eligibility. The Agency may carry out property spot checks. Failure to comply can lead to the certificate ceasing to have effect.

Who it applies to

Beneficiary and all approved dependants

Official wording

“The Agency shall monitor adherence by the beneficiary and his approved dependants to all the obligations and conditions set out in these Regulations annually for the first five years from its issue, and thereafter whenever the Agency deems it opportune in its sole discretion.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 10(3); regulation 15; regulation 17

Required evidence

Annual compliance form (MPRP5) with supporting documents, submitted through the agent (FAQ Q96).

Common mistakes

Selling or ending the lease within the first five years without an approved replacement property — this leads to loss of status for the whole family (FAQ Q95).

Plain English

Applications cannot be filed directly. The main applicant must appoint one agent licensed by the Residency Malta Agency (a public accountant or auditor, lawyer, or licensed financial advisor) who submits the application and acts as liaison. Applicants may change agent at any time, but may authorise only one at a time. The public register of agents is on the Agency's website.

Who it applies to

Main applicant

Official wording

“An individual making any application in terms of these regulations shall make use of the services of an agent.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 4; regulation 6A (qualification of agents)

Required evidence

Power of attorney in favour of the agent, covering the whole process (FAQ Q48).

Common mistakes

Agents set their own professional fees; the Agency issues no fee guidelines (FAQ Q14).