Immigration to Malta

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how to immigrate to Malta. Choosing the right route depends on your specific circumstances, whether you meet the basic requirements, your financial and family situation, your sources of income, and your future plans regarding naturalisation. The existing immigration routes offer options, but do not make the decision for you.

The advantages of programmes for moving to Malta are based on several factors, the combination of which makes the jurisdiction attractive to a specific category of relocators. The most significant of these are its favourable geographical location, the official status of the English language, the special ‘Non-Dom’ tax regime, stability and full membership of the European Union.

These factors make naturalisation in Malta an attractive prospect not only for high-net-worth individuals. Relocation can be considered by those planning to work on a contract basis, study, enjoy a comfortable retirement or run a business. Furthermore, legal residence in Malta allows you to engage in investment activities and work as a freelancer.

Provided all eligibility criteria are met, you will be able to remain in the country on the basis of a residence permit. It is entirely possible to find a suitable route for your specific situation, but your choice should be based on an objective assessment of the applicability of the immigration route.

The main options for long-term legal residence in Malta:

• Work and business. Work-based immigration to Malta — Single Permit. Fast-track programmes for skilled professionals — EU Blue Card Malta, Key Employee Initiative (KEI) / Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI). Residence permit for remote work — Nomad Residence Permit. Business immigration to Malta — Malta Startup Residence Programme. Investors — Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP).
• University studies / student visa — Student Visa, Residence Permit for Study Purposes.
• Family reunification in Malta — Family Reunification Regulations.
• Malta residence permits for pensioners and financially independent individuals — The Global Residence Programme (GRP), Malta Retirement Programme (MRP).

The best way to immigrate to Malta is the one that suits you best. Therefore, before taking any specific steps, preparing your application documents or planning a visit to the consulate or visa centre, you should assess all the relevant factors and only then make your final decision.

Basic requirements

Immigrating to Malta requires you to prepare a set of documents in advance. You need not only to confirm your right to move to Malta, but also to prove that you are eligible to apply. The list of requirements is standard. The only exception is the basis for immigration, which may vary from case to case.

What documents do you need to prepare before visiting the consulate or visa centre:

• A valid passport. It must have at least two blank pages. The passport must be valid for at least 3–6 months after the expiry of the Category D national visa. This is the visa you will receive at the consulate if your application is approved. The exact duration depends on the chosen immigration route.
• Proof of eligibility for a specific programme for moving to Malta. Typical examples include a contract from Jobsplus, a letter of acceptance from a university or college, a marriage certificate, documents relating to your business or start-up, etc.
• Proof of source of income and/or financial means. The specific figures depend on your chosen route to immigration to Malta. Suitable documents may include an official salary statement, a bank statement, documentary evidence of passive income, a sponsorship letter, etc.
• Health insurance. When applying for a D-type entry visa, the cover must be at least €30,000 (travel insurance valid throughout the Schengen Area). When regularising your status in Malta via a residence permit, you will need comprehensive private health insurance (Inpatient & Outpatient Health Insurance) marked ‘Full Medical Coverage’; there are specific requirements depending on your route to immigration.
• A police certificate confirming no criminal record. This must be obtained in the country of citizenship or permanent residence. In most cases, this requirement applies to all persons listed on the application, provided they are aged 14 or over. Requirements regarding an apostille and a notarised translation into English depend on the country of application and the specific consulate. There are specific rules for certain immigration routes to Malta.
• Proof of accommodation. The standard option, applicable in most cases, is a long-term tenancy agreement or a title deed. In some situations, other evidence that you will not be left homeless after moving will suffice.

Even if you meet all the requirements, there is still a risk that your visa application may be refused. Therefore, if you wish to speed up and simplify the process of legalising your status in Malta, be sure to check the current rules immediately before submitting your application to the consulate or visa centre.

Programmes for moving to Malta through business and employment

This is the most popular immigration route. The standard route is employment (Single Permit). The legislation also provides for a fast-track option for qualified professionals – the Key Employee Initiative (KEI) / Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) – and a separate programme for digital nomads – the Nomad Residence Permit. The MSRP (Malta Startup Residence Programme) is aimed at the business sector, whilst investors often opt for the MPRP (Malta Permanent Residence Programme).

Single Permit

The minimum monthly contractual income is €994.24 per month (before tax and social security contributions). Approval by the Maltese employment service, Jobsplus, is mandatory. Salaries must be paid via a licensed bank only. The fee for the initial application for a Single Permit is €600 (non-refundable); the renewal fee is €150 per year. It is issued for 1–2 years, with the option to extend for a further 2 or 3 years.

Key Employee Initiative (KEI)

This scheme is aimed at highly qualified managers and technical specialists (ISCO groups 1, 2 and 3). The minimum basic salary, excluding bonuses, is €45,000 per year. The application fee is €600, and the renewal fee is €150. Processing time: up to 5 working days. The KEI is issued for 1 year, with a one-off extension for a further 3 years; an additional 1 year may be granted whilst preparing to apply for permanent residence, meaning the overall scheme is 1 + 3 + 1.

Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI)

For specialists with a relevant degree (MQF Level 6+) or 3 years’ verified experience. Annual income: from €30,000, although some out-of-date sources may quote lower figures. Processing time: up to 15 working days. The renewal conditions and fees are generally the same as for the KEI, but the overall scheme is 1 + 3 (maximum).

EU Blue Card Malta

The minimum income is linked to the Average National Gross Annual Salary, with a multiplier of 1.5; in 2026, this will be at least €38,628 per year. Fees are the same as for the KEI / SEI. Issued for 1 or 2 years. If the contract is long-term or open-ended, it can be renewed for up to 3 years an unlimited number of times. If it is short-term, the permit is valid for the duration of the contract plus 3 months.

Nomad Residence Permit

Income of €42,000 per year; this must not fall below this level during the three months prior to the application date. There are restrictions on working in the domestic labour market. The fee is €300 for each person listed on the application. The Nomad Residence Permit is issued for 1 year, with the possibility of three further one-year extensions, but the total length of stay in the country must not exceed 4 years.

Malta Startup Residence Programme (MSRP)

The best route to immigration to Malta for start-up founders. Approval from Malta Enterprise is required. Company capital or tangible investments must be at least €25,000; if there are more than four founders, the requirements are higher. The minimum personal income for key personnel is €30,000 per year. The application fee is €300. The visa is valid for 3 years plus a one-off 5-year extension for founders, and 3 years plus a 3-year extension for key personnel.

Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

The programme for relocating to Malta is aimed at investors. Its main advantage is that it allows applicants to obtain permanent residence directly, bypassing the mandatory preliminary residence permit process. Capital requirements: assets totalling €500,000, of which at least €150,000 must be in cash or shares. The second option is from €650,000 / from €75,000 (your choice). Property investment options for most regions are a rental from €14,000 per year or a purchase from €375,000 (your choice). In southern Malta or on the island of Gozo, the thresholds are lower — a rental of at least €12,000, or a purchase of at least €270,000.

Non-refundable fees:

• administrative fee — €60,000 (€15,000 upon submission and €45,000 if the application is approved);
• government fee — €37,000, which is the same whether purchasing property or entering into a long-term lease;
• fee for each dependant — €10,000;
• charitable donation to an approved Maltese NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) — €2,000.

The application processing time is between 4 and 6 months; the entire process, up to the granting of permanent residence, can take up to one and a half years. Permanent residence is indefinite, but the eResidence Card / Malta Residence Card must be renewed every 5 years. The actual timeframes in your specific situation may vary.

Additional immigration routes

It is also possible to obtain legal status in Malta via alternative routes not linked to business or employment. These are aimed at students, financially independent individuals/pensioners and founders of family offices. Eligibility for these routes is subject to specific requirements, so they cannot be described as universal.

Study — Student Residence Permit / Residence Permit for Study Purposes

Issued for 1 year, with the possibility of renewal, but not exceeding the total duration of the course. The basic requirement is documentary proof of enrolment. Tuition fees must be paid before the Student Residence Permit is issued. A minimum of 50 per cent must be paid; the remainder must be held in a bank account, plus at least €790 per month for living expenses. After 90 days, the student may work part-time, but for no more than 20 hours per week.

Family Reunification — Family Reunification Residence Permit / Residence Permit for Family Reunification Purposes

An application for a residence permit may be submitted once the main applicant has been legally resident in Malta for 12 months. The sponsor’s minimum proven income is linked to the median salary in Malta, which is approximately €29,971 per year per sponsor plus 20% for each dependant. For KEI/SEI holders, the minimum is €50,000 per year. Proof of accommodation must be provided. The validity period of the residence permit for a spouse or other family member depends entirely on the main applicant’s immigration status.

Financially independent individuals (Residency without work activity), pensioners (MRP, Malta Retirement Programme)

The best way to immigrate to Malta if your main source of wealth is passive income. Dividends, rental income, royalties – from €25,000–30,000 per year; a foreign pension – at least 75 per cent of total income. You must either rent accommodation on a long-term basis (from €8,750 per year and above) or purchase a property (from €220,000). These thresholds apply only to southern Malta and Gozo. For the rest of Malta, the thresholds are higher – rental from €9,600, purchase from €275,000.

A residence permit for financially independent individuals is issued for one year, with subsequent renewals for two years at a time. A residence permit for pensioners requires status to be re-assessed every five years. If this is confirmed, you become eligible for the special tax regime under the Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) Special Tax Status. The main condition for eligibility is a minimum annual tax payment. Under the GRP, this is from €15,000 per year; under the MRP, from €7,500 per year. An additional €500 is payable for each dependant.

Family Offices

An asset management-focused programme for relocating to Malta. This opportunity is realised through the registration of a company in Malta. Resident status for interested individuals is obtained through the MPRP or KEI programmes.

You can request further information on this topic and arrange for an analysis of your specific situation. To do so, please contact our specialists in any way that suits you.