Who can apply for the Malta MPRP?

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

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)).