Malta Golden Visa: The Ultimate Guide 2023

Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a popular tourist destination for its historical sites, beautiful beaches, and warm climate. The country is a member of the European Union and has a stable economy, making it an attractive destination for foreign investors.

For those looking to settle there, Malta offers a Golden Visa program, a residency scheme that allows non-European citizens to invest in Malta for residency. Foreign investors can obtain Maltese residency in exchange for a significant investment through one of their available channels. The program offers several benefits, including the right to reside or set up a business in Malta, visa-free travel throughout all the countries in the Schengen Zone. 

To apply for the Malta Golden Visa program, investors are required to make a certain contribution to the government of Malta and a qualifying investment within the country along with the minimum donation to the approved NGO in Malta.

 It takes around four to six months to obtain Maltese residency by investment. Successful applicants are initially granted residency for five years, with the possibility of renewal. Investors can also include eligible dependents with their application, making the Malta Golden Visa Program family-friendly. 

To be eligible for Malta residency by investment, investors must:

• Be a non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss foreign national.
• Not be from a sanctioned country. Sanctioned countries may be subject to change but currently include Afghanistan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
• Have sufficient financial resources to make and maintain the qualifying investment for the Golden Visa program. 
• Possess a minimum of €500,000 in capital assets, out of which at least €150,000 must be financial assets.
• They must show a clean criminal record and not pose any threat to public health or safety. 

Benefits of Malta Residency by Investment

Malta’s Golden Visa program offers investors and their eligible dependents several benefits. Obtaining residency by investment gives successful applicants the right to reside in Malta. 

Malta has many high-quality schools and universities and a large English-speaking population, making it easy for foreign residents to communicate and integrate into the local community.

Malta is a member of the European Union, so successful Malta Golden Visa applicants can enjoy visa-free travel throughout all countries in the Schengen Zone for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. 

The most important benefit is that after five years of residency holding the Golden Visa permit, investors can apply for Maltese citizenship and a Maltese passport, giving them allowing them to live, work, and study in Malta, as well as giving them visa-free access to 186 countries. 

Malta has a stable economy and a favorable business environment, making it an attractive destination for investors and entrepreneurs. The country also has a favorable tax regime, with low personal and corporate tax rates, ideal for individuals and businesses looking to minimize their tax burden. The Malta Golden Visa program offers a unique opportunity for non-EU citizens to gain residency in a beautiful, stable, and welcoming country with a rich cultural heritage.

Furthermore, investors can include several types of dependents under one application. The Malta Golden Visa Program allows for the following dependents to be included: 

1. The spouse of the main applicant or a partner with similar status to marriage, including a civil union, domestic partnership, or common law marriage.
2. A child, biological or adopted, of the main applicant or of their spouse who is less than 18.
3. A child, biological or adopted, of the main applicant or their spouse who is over 18 and unmarried and primarily dependent on the main applicant.
4. A parent or grandparent of the main applicant or their spouse who is primarily dependent on the main applicant.
5. An adult child, biological or adopted, of the main applicant or their spouse who is certified by a medical professional as having a disability.

Malta Golden Visa Investment Options  

The Malta Residency by Investment program offers a range of options for applicants with different minimum investment amounts. 

Investors in the Malta Golden Visa Program can choose between the following options to obtain the Malta Golden Visa residency by investment and, eventually, Maltese citizenship: 

1. Rent a property valued at least €10,000 in the South of Malta or Gozo or €12,000 anywhere else in Malta.
2. Purchase a property worth at least €300,000 in the South of Malta or Gozo or €350,000 anywhere else in Malta.

All investors must make the following investments, regardless of the option they choose: 

• A non-refundable administrative fee of €40,000.
• A government contribution of €28,000 if purchasing a property or €58,000 if renting a property.
• A donation of €2,000 to a local NGO registered with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations.

Investors must pay an additional €7,500 for every adult dependent on their application, except for their spouse. They must hold the qualifying property they purchase or rent for a minimum period of five years. After this period, they may sell the qualifying property as long as they retain another residential property in Malta or Gozo.

Regardless of the investment option chosen, all applicants must demonstrate a clean criminal record, and show proof of a high level of financial stability. 

Malta Golden Visa Real Estate Option

One of the investment options available through the Malta Golden Visa is acquiring a real estate property. To be eligible for residency through this channel, applicants must purchase a property for a minimum value of €300,000 in the South of Malta or Gozo or €350,000 in the rest of Malta. This investment must be maintained for a minimum of five years, after which the property can be sold if desired, as long as the investor holds a residential property in Malta or Gozo. 

Malta is an attractive destination for residential and holiday rental properties. With a thriving real estate market, there is consistent demand for rental properties, making it an attractive destination for property investors. Investing in real estate in Malta also offers a range of financial benefits, including the potential for capital appreciation, rental income, and tax benefits. 

Malta Golden Visa Program General Requirements and Documentation

To be eligible for the Malta Residency by Investment program, applicants must meet some general requirements and certain pieces of documentation. 

The required documentation for the Malta Residence by Investment Program typically includes:

• A valid passport or another identity document.
• Proof of financial stability, typically through bank statements, tax returns, and other financial documents.
• A clean criminal record and a background check for the main applicant and any eligible dependents
• Valid health insurance coverage for the main applicant and any eligible dependents.
• A declaration (found in Form MPRP1) signed before a Commissioner for Oaths stating that the applicant is undertaking the purchase or rental of a property in Malta or Gozo for the appropriate qualifying amount.
• Declaration of the main application’s assets through Form MPRP5 (Official Compliance Form) that total a minimum of €500,000, out of which at least €150,000 need to be financial assets that will be made each year for the first five years. 
• A bank statement from the previous three months showing the activities of the main applicant’s account which will be used to remit the payment of the €40,000 administrative fee and the government contribution.
• A receipt for the donation of €2,000 to an NGO officially registered with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations.
  

Applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation, depending on their unique circumstances and the kind of dependents they include in their application. It is important to carefully review the specific requirements and documentation for your chosen investment option.

Malta Golden Visa Application and Renewal Process

The Malta Golden Visa application and renewal process involves some basic steps. It is essential to understand these steps to ensure a smooth and successful application experience.

All investors will need to undertake the following steps to apply for the Malta Golden Visa Program: 

1. Choose an investment option: Applicants must choose their preferred investment option, and decide how much they would like to invest.
2. Submit the introductory letter: Typically, an agent will submit this letter on behalf of the applicant, explaining their motivation for pursuing Malta residency by investment. However, the main applicant may also send a letter of intent themselves.
3. Submit the required documentation: Once the applicant makes the qualifying investment, they must submit the application pack, including all required documentation. An application pack might include proof of identity, financial stability, a clean criminal record, and health insurance coverage, among other documents.
4. Make an appointment with Customer Care: The applicant must make an appointment to submit their application pack. During this appointment, they will be given an informal receipt of their application. 
5. Receive a formal receipt and pay the processing fee: Once the application is accepted, the applicant will receive an official receipt and be expected to pay the non-refundable fee of €10,000 within one month. This is deducted from the mandatory €40,000 administrative fee. The remaining €30,000 can be paid at a later stage. 
6. Pay the processing fee: Applicants must pay the processing fee, which covers processing their application and conducting the necessary background checks. Payments should only be made by direct debit from the bank account, as stated by the main applicant in their application pack. Card accounts, virtual platforms, and cryptocurrency are not permissible.
7. Undergo due diligence checks: After the fee is received, the application will undergo due diligence to unsure they have a clean background and no intent to commit fraud. If everything is approved, the applicant will be issued a Letter of Approval in Principle. 
8. Make the qualifying investments: The applicant must now pay the administrative fee of €40,000 and the government contribution of €28,000, make the €2,000 donation, buy or rent the qualifying property, and purchase the necessary health insurance for themselves and their dependents. 
9. Receive the Letter of Final Approval: After submitting the required documentation and paying the fees, applicants must wait for their applications to be approved. This process typically takes around seven days (1 week). Approved applicants will be sent a Letter of Final Approval. 
10. Collect biometric data and outstanding documents: Successful applicants will go to the official offices to give their biometric data and submit their residence forms.
11. Receive the Malta Golden Visa: After two weeks of giving their biometric data, applicants and their dependents will receive their Malta Golden Visa in the form of a residence certificate and residence card. Residence cards are valid for five years. 

The Malta Golden Visa residence permit is renewable after the initial five years. Applicants must demonstrate that they have continued to meet the eligibility criteria, including maintaining their investment and demonstrating a clean criminal record. All applicants and their dependents must retake biometric data after the first five years of residence to renew their residence cards.

Malta Golden Visa Processing Time and Fees

The processing time for Malta Residency by Investment can vary depending on several factors, including the chosen investment option, the application’s complexity, and the current processing backlog. 

On average, the processing time for a Malta Golden Visa application is between four to six months.

Of course, all applicants must also pay the required qualifying investment, as specified by their preferred option. Applicants must also pay fees for processing their application and conducting the necessary background checks. There is a mandatory administration fee of €40,000 for each application. €10,000 will be paid as a non-refundable fee within one month of application submission. The remaining €30,000 must be paid within two months of receiving the Letter of Approval. There is a renewal fee of €27.50 per year for the renewal of the residence card for each individual.

Investment Opportunities in Malta

Malta offers many opportunities for foreigners looking to invest in the country’s real estate market, consumer industries, philanthropy organizations, or infrastructure development. Malta offers a range of financial, tax, and lifestyle benefits, making it an attractive destination for those looking to invest and reside in the country for business or lifestyle reasons.

With a thriving tourism industry and many benefits of permanent residency, the Maltese property market is very attractive to foreign investors. There are beautiful properties for those looking to reside in Malta, while those looking to rent their property will find many options for short-term and long-term tenants. 

Malta has a robust and well-organized economy and a very productive business environment. Venture capitalists are interested in the Maltese economy, making it an excellent destination for investors looking to start or expand their businesses. 

The Maltese government also makes philanthropic organizations a priority. Foreign investors can support their efforts by investing in one of the country’s many charitable or cultural institutions. 

Benefits of Malta Citizenship and Passport

Malta offers many benefits to those who obtain citizenship by investment through the Golden Visa Program. Not only is Malta a beautiful country with a thriving economy, but it also has many popular tourist destinations, including the capital city of Valletta and the historic town of Mdina, as well as several beautiful beaches and scenic countryside. 

Maltese citizens enjoy visa-free travel to over 180 countries, including all countries in the Schengen Zone, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Malta allows citizens by investment to maintain dual citizenship, so investors can retain their original citizenship while also obtaining Maltese citizenship. Malta citizens enjoy the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the Schengen Zone, as well as access to benefits and services offered to citizens of the European Union.

Malta provides tax benefits to its citizens, including a low tax rate, a favorable tax regime for foreign-sourced income, and tax treaties with other countries. Malta’s stable political and economic climate makes it an attractive destination for those seeking a secure and stable environment to live, work, and invest. 

These benefits make Malta a desirable destination for those seeking a second citizenship and passport through the Malta Golden Visa Program.

Malta Golden Visa FAQ