Secure Permanent Residency in Malta as a Third Country National before the 2025 amendments come into force

New requirements for the MPRP as of January 2025

Malta continues to solidify its reputation as an attractive destination for third country nationals with its robust residency and business incentives. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is a key pillar of this appeal, offering third country nationals and their dependants a pathway to permanent residency with numerous benefits. Prospective applicants are encouraged to take full advantage of the current MPRP Regulations before the updated requirements come into effect on 1st January 2025.

The Benefits of the MPRP

The MPRP Regulations are designed for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals seeking a stable base within the European Union without engaging in active employment. Amongst the many benefits the residency programme has to offer, successfully registered applicants benefit from the below advantages:

•    Freedom of Movement: Residency allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.
•    Lifestyle Advantages: Malta offers an excellent quality of life with world-class healthcare, education, and a welcoming international community.
•    Tax Optimization Opportunities: With the right structuring, businesses and entrepreneurs can take advantage of Malta’s favorable tax system.
•    Family Inclusion: The programme extends to spouses, children, parents, and grandparents, subject to specific conditions.

The Current Requirements

The Financial and Procedural Advantages 

To apply for the MPRP (valid for applications submitted until 31st December 2024), prospective applicants must adhere to specific procedural and financial requirements. Applications must submit an application via a Licensed Agent, along with a non-refundable administrative fee of €40,000. One must also choose between leasing or purchasing a property as part of the Programme’s obligations, leasing requires a minimum annual rent of €10,000 in the South of Malta or Gozo, or €12,000 in other areas of Malta, while purchasing a property entails a minimum value of €300,000 in the South of Malta or Gozo, or €350,000 elsewhere. Additionally, applicants must contribute €28,000 to the Government if purchasing property, or €58,000 if renting.

For dependants, a fee of €7,500 applies for each parent or grandparent of the main applicant or the spouse who is principally dependant. Applicants must commit to retaining the qualifying property for at least five years, after which they must maintain a residential address in Malta. A donation of €2,000 to a registered NGO supporting philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sports, or animal welfare causes is also required. Furthermore, candidates must possess a valid travel document and secure health insurance covering risks in Malta and other European countries. These measures ensure a structured and beneficial approach for applicants and the Maltese community alike.

Eligibility and Requirements 

To qualify for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

•  Status: Applicants must be nationals of non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss countries (individuals from jurisdictions currently under sanctions, as periodically announced by the Residency Malta Agency, are not eligible).
• Program Limitations: Applicants must not benefit from any other relevant Maltese residency regulations or schemes.
• Financial Stability: Candidates must demonstrate stable and consistent financial means, sufficient to support themselves and their dependants without relying on Malta’s social assistance systems.
• Asset Requirements: A minimum of €500,000 in capital assets is required, of which at least €150,000 must be in financial assets.
• Character and Conduct: Applicants must be of good standing, possess a clean criminal record, and successfully pass the fit-and-proper test.
• National Interests: Individuals must not pose any risk to Malta’s national security, public policy, public health, or public interest.

Upcoming 2025 Changes: Key Amendments to the MPRP

By virtue of the MPRP Regulations (Legal Notice 310 of 2024), a number of changes to the MPRP will come into force effective 1st January 2025. The changes focus primarily on the eligibility criteria that must be met to qualify for residency status as outlined below:

• Revised Minimum Net Worth Requirements for Main Applicants: Main applicants may now qualify by owning assets worth of €650,000 or more, of which a minimum of €75,000 must be held in financial assets.
• Introduction of Maximum Age for Adult Dependant Children: Contrary to the current framework, with effect from 1st January 2025, only unmarried children under the age of 29, at the time of submission, could be included in the application (with the exception of adult children with disabilities).
• Updated Qualifying Property Requirements: The minimum thresholds for both owned and rented properties have been increased slightly. Qualifying owned properties must now have a minimum purchase value of €375,000, while qualifying rented properties must have a minimum annual lease value of €14,000, regardless of the property’s location in Malta.
• Revised Statutory Fees and Contributions: The amendments also include changes to the government contribution and administration fees payable to the Residency Malta Agency. New provisions introduce non-refundable administration fees and contributions for all dependants. 

Start Your Application Today

Navigating the MPRP can be complex, but with proper guidance, it’s a seamless process. Our team can provide tailored support to ensure your application meets all requirements. Contact us to learn how you can benefit from Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme.