Malta Residence Permit

A Maltese residence permit is your official legal document granting you the right to reside legally in a developed, stable and comfortable European country. Personal safety is very high, and all the conditions are in place for working, running a business and professional development. The most promising sectors are iGaming, FinTech and IT.

There are two official languages: Maltese and English. Healthcare and education are well developed, so a project to obtain a Maltese residence permit for your family could be very promising. The labour market is dynamic, and finding a suitable job is entirely feasible. The state encourages and protects private enterprise.

A Maltese residence permit can be obtained via a suitable immigration route. In most cases, continuous residence for five years or more entitles you to apply for permanent residence. The eResidence Document grants the right to visa-free travel to Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Separate immigration routes are available for digital nomads, students, businesspeople and investors.

Grounds for a Maltese residence permit

The main categories are employment, business and investment. Alternative routes are available, but their applicability is limited. You should choose a specific route based on your individual circumstances; an application for a Maltese residence permit may be refused, particularly if standard rules and conditions are not met. However, if you prepare your application thoroughly, the risks will be lower.

Basic immigration categories:

• Contract work. The standard Single Permit Malta, fast-track internal routes aimed at top managers, executives and highly qualified specialised technical professionals (KEI/SEI), and the pan-European EU Blue Card Malta programme.
• Remote workers, start-up founders. The MSRP (Malta Start-up Residence Programme) for start-up founders, and the Nomad Residence Permit, which does not grant the right to work in Malta.
• Investments and large-scale business. The most popular option is the MPRP (Malta Permanent Residence Programme), which grants not just a temporary residence permit in Malta, but immediate, permanent and indefinite residency. Retirees and family office founders often opt for the MRP (Malta Retirement Programme). Both categories share a key requirement: sufficient, regular and passive income from abroad.
• Alternative immigration routes. One is aimed at students – the Residence Permit for Study Purposes / eResidence Document on the basis of Study. The second is for family reunification – the Residence Permit for the Purpose of Family Reunification.

A Maltese residence card may be issued under any of these schemes. They differ in terms of the required documentation, opportunities and restrictions. Therefore, at the planning stage, you need to assess not only your specific situation but also your immigration plans for the next few years.

Obtaining a Maltese national visa

It is issued for 90 or 180 days; for longer periods it is issued much less frequently, mainly for study purposes. The purpose of this permit is to provide a legal basis for entering the country and to allow time to apply for an eResidence Document (a card that effectively legalises your right of residence). There is no need to apply for residency for EU/EFTA citizens, as they enjoy the right to free movement and residence within the EU/EEA.

What you need to do in your country of citizenship or permanent residence:

• Prepare and legalise your documents. The standard set includes your international passport, a police clearance certificate, proof of civil status (marriage, children’s births), and basic proof of financial means. Requirements regarding apostilles and notarised translations depend on the country of application and the specific consulate. Additional documents may also be requested.
• Completing the form. Previously, there were three documents: Form CEA, Form ID 1A and the GDPR Declaration. Now there is a single form – Form CEA – which is completed electronically on the official portal of the immigration service, Identità.
• Establishing the legal basis. The requirements depend on the chosen immigration route. Typical options include an employment contract, a stable income from abroad, an approved business plan, a study agreement with a university, documentary proof of family ties plus the sponsor’s residence permit, a bank statement, etc.
• Payment of fees. The money you spend in the country where you submit your application is non-refundable, even if your application is ultimately refused. The specific amounts depend on the immigration category. Single Permit — €600 + €250, KEI / SEI — €300, Nomad Residence Permit — €300 + the same amount for each family member, MSRP — €750 plus €82.5–137.5 for the card itself, MRP — € The situation with MPRP is slightly more complicated. Non-refundable administrative fee — €60,000 (€15,000 upon application + €45,000 after approval) + economic contribution of €37,000 + donation to an NGO — from €2,000. Total costs — approximately €99,000.
• Obtaining Approval in Principle. A decision will be made following a thorough review. If the decision is positive, you will receive an ‘Approval in Principle’ confirmation email, which will serve as the basis for your entry. Once you have the ‘Approval in Principle’, you will need to visit the consulate to obtain a D national visa.

A Maltese residence permit will confirm and formalise your immigration status, but you will apply for this later, after you have moved to Malta. In summary, the general procedure is as follows: obtaining Approval in Principle — applying for a national D visa — moving to Malta — applying for a Maltese residence permit. The aim of the first stage in your country of citizenship is to secure the legal basis for living in Malta through a full residence permit.

How to obtain a Maltese residence permit

As soon as you cross the border, the countdown for your D visa begins. You will have 90 days to apply for a Maltese residence permit. You should therefore not delay taking the necessary steps. Even if delays have occurred for reasons beyond your control, problems may arise if the deadlines are missed.

What you need to do after moving:

• Register your presence on the island. You need to make yourself visible to the immigration authorities. This is done by sorting out your accommodation. Short-term rentals via services such as Booking or Airbnb are not acceptable. A long-term lease agreement for a minimum of one year is required, listing all members of your family. Once you have received it, the document must be registered on the Housing Authority’s portal (this is the landlord’s responsibility) and the fee paid. You will then be sent an Approval Letter. You must print this out, along with the QR code, and submit it to Identità.
• Undergoing a medical screening. An unpleasant aspect of Malta’s immigration policy is the strict monitoring of the epidemiological situation. Standard safety rules apply for certain countries of origin. You will need to undergo a medical examination at a specialist clinic, which must include, at a minimum, a test for tuberculosis and major infectious diseases, as well as an X-ray or fluorography. If everything is in order, you will receive an official document signed by a certified Maltese doctor and bearing their stamp. Only then can you proceed to the next stage.
• Submitting biometric data. First, you need to book an appointment at the Identità central office in Valletta or Gozo. You will be given a specific date and time for your appointment. There can sometimes be delays of up to 4–5 weeks, but this is more of an exception than the rule. You must bring the originals of your passport, Approval in Principle, tenancy agreement and insurance policy with you. Your fingerprints will be taken, a sample of your signature will be recorded, and a digital photograph will be taken. The cost is relatively low – €27.50 per person, payable on the spot.
• Waiting period. You will usually receive an Interim Permit form on the day you submit your biometric data. This legally authorises your stay on the island, but does not grant you the right to travel within the Schengen Area. The waiting time for a full Maltese residence card is between 2 and 6 weeks.
• Receiving the eResidence Card. The final stage. Once the card is ready, you will receive a Notification Letter by post. The letter will also contain two PIN/PUK codes. These are required for electronic identification when registering with the tax authorities and for accessing key public services. To collect your card, you will need to visit the Identità office again.

After this, you will officially be granted a Maltese residence permit.

Renewal of a Maltese residence permit for third-country nationals

In most cases, the eResidence Document is issued for one year, with the exception of certain investment programmes. Renewing a Maltese residence permit involves less red tape and takes less time. However, you must comply with all requirements and conditions. The residence permit renewal procedure is not carried out automatically. It is best to start preparing approximately 2–3 months in advance, so that you have sufficient time to consider all the details and avoid the risk of breaching immigration legislation.

What you need to do to renew your Maltese residence permit:

• Prepare and update your documentation. You will need your foreign passport and proof of accommodation in Malta (a Lease Agreement) registered with the Housing Authority. It is important to demonstrate that your source of income is stable and sufficient. The specific requirements depend on your immigration category: recent bank statements, a valid contract, a tax assessment history, or payslips from your employer. You will also need to confirm that you have health insurance covering the duration of your Maltese residence permit.
• Using the Identità online portal. All steps are carried out remotely. You will need to complete the CEA Form O and upload scanned copies of the prepared documents.
• Payment of the fee and submission of the application. Once you have uploaded the documents, you will be automatically redirected to the payment gateway. The fee for renewing a Single Permit depends on the immigration route. For digital nomads — € For a Single Permit — €150, but if changes are made to the application, the fee is €300. You will then receive a confirmation email containing your unique application number (Application Number).
• Awaiting a decision. If any queries arise whilst your application is being processed, you will receive a request for further information (Correction Request) by email. You are usually given 10–14 days to prepare and respond.
• Next steps. If your application is approved, you will receive a standard Approval Letter. This document will confirm that your Maltese residence permit has been officially renewed. It will take between 10 and 20 working days to print and deliver your new plastic card. In some cases, you will need to provide your biometric data again. Once everything is ready, you will receive a final Collection Letter containing your PIN/PUK codes. Please bring this letter, your old card and your passport with you when you visit the Identità office in person.

If you need further advice on a specific situation, please contact our specialists in any way that suits you.