Malta Golden Visa by Investment

Residents of Malta can enjoy 90 out of every 180 days in the Schengen Region. This is a rolling amount and resets every 180.

Yes, you need to be a resident of Malta for at least 12 months to 36 to qualify to apply. After one year applicants can pay €600,000 to begin their citizenship process or €750,000 after 3 years.

Citizens are not required to retain possession of the qualifying property after acquiring citizenship. But those who want to keep their residency must hold onto their residential property in Malta or Gozo.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) requires a combination of government contributions, property investment, and administrative fees, with total costs varying depending on whether you purchase or lease property and the location within Malta.

Cost breakdown:

• Government contribution: EUR 68,000 (if purchasing property) or EUR 98,000 (if leasing property)
• Property purchase: Minimum EUR 375,000 anywhere in Malta, or EUR 300,000 in Gozo or South Malta
• Property lease: Minimum EUR 14,000/year anywhere in Malta, or EUR 12,000/year in Gozo or South Malta
• NGO donation: EUR 2,000 to a registered Maltese philanthropic, cultural, or social organisation
• Administrative fee: EUR 40,000 (non-refundable application fee)
• Due diligence fees: Applied for the main applicant and each adult dependant

For a family of four purchasing property, the total minimum outlay is approximately EUR 485,000+ (EUR 375,000 property + EUR 68,000 contribution + EUR 40,000 admin + EUR 2,000 donation). Mirabello Consultancy provides detailed cost projections tailored to your family size.

Yes, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is one of the few European residency programmes that allows the inclusion of parents and grandparents as dependants, making it exceptionally family-friendly.

Family inclusion options:

• Spouse or partner: Your legally married spouse or civil union partner
• Children: Dependent children, including adult children who are financially reliant on the main applicant
• Parents and grandparents: Both parents and grandparents of the main applicant and the spouse can be included in the application

Additional costs apply for each dependant:

• Parents/grandparents: An additional government contribution of EUR 7,500 per person is required
• All dependants: Must pass due diligence checks and maintain health insurance coverage in Malta

This multi-generational inclusion makes the Malta MPRP particularly attractive for families from the Middle East, Asia, and other regions where supporting extended family is a priority. All dependants receive permanent residency with Schengen Area travel rights.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) typically takes 12 to 18 months from application submission to the issuance of your permanent residency certificate, making it a longer-term commitment compared to some other European programmes.

Processing timeline breakdown:

• Document preparation: 4 to 8 weeks for compiling, translating, and authenticating all required documents
• Application submission: Filed through an authorised Maltese agent (such as Mirabello Consultancy)
• Due diligence and review: 6 to 12 months for comprehensive background checks and verification by the Residency Malta Agency
• Property compliance: You must demonstrate that your property purchase or lease agreement is in place before final approval
• Biometrics and card issuance: Once approved, you attend a biometric appointment in Malta, and the residency card is issued shortly thereafter

While the timeline is longer than some programmes, the MPRP provides permanent residency — not a temporary permit — which does not require renewal and provides lifetime Schengen access. Mirabello Consultancy helps optimise processing times through meticulous application preparation.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) provides a comprehensive set of benefits, combining EU permanent residency with Schengen Area access and an exceptional quality of life.

Key benefits include:

• Permanent residency: Unlike temporary permits, MPRP residency does not expire and does not require periodic renewal
• Schengen Area access: Travel visa-free across 27 Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
• No minimum stay: There is no requirement to spend a specific number of days in Malta each year
• Multi-generational inclusion: Include your spouse, children, parents, and grandparents in a single application
• EU safety and stability: Malta is a full EU member state with strong rule of law, political stability, and a growing economy
• English-speaking: English is an official language, facilitating business and daily life
• Healthcare and education: Access to Malta's highly regarded healthcare system and educational institutions
• Strategic location: Central Mediterranean position with excellent connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa

The Malta MPRP does not directly lead to citizenship, but long-term residents can apply for Maltese citizenship through naturalisation after meeting the required residency conditions.

Pathway from MPRP to citizenship:

• Residency duration: You must have been ordinarily resident in Malta for a significant period. Standard naturalisation typically requires living in Malta for at least 5 years (with physical presence)
• Physical presence: Unlike the MPRP itself (which has no minimum stay), the path to citizenship requires demonstrating genuine residence and ties to Malta
• Language and integration: Knowledge of Maltese or English and evidence of integration into Maltese society
• Good character: Clean criminal record and good standing in Malta

Important distinctions:

• The MPRP grants permanent residency, not a pathway to automatic citizenship
• Malta's previous direct citizenship-by-investment programme (MEIN) was closed following a European Court of Justice ruling in April 2025
• A new merit-based citizenship route exists but is not a traditional CBI programme

Mirabello Consultancy can advise on structuring your MPRP residency to position you for future citizenship eligibility.

The Malta MPRP accepts a wide range of residential property types, provided they meet the minimum investment thresholds and are located in qualifying areas of Malta or Gozo.

Property requirements:

• Mainland Malta: Minimum property purchase value of EUR 375,000
• Gozo or South Malta: Reduced minimum of EUR 300,000, reflecting the government's effort to encourage investment outside the main urban areas
• Lease alternative: If leasing rather than purchasing, the minimum annual lease is EUR 14,000 (mainland) or EUR 12,000 (Gozo/South Malta)

Qualifying property types:

• Apartments and penthouses: The most common choice for MPRP applicants
• Houses and villas: Standalone residential properties
• Converted heritage properties: Historic buildings converted to residential use
• New developments: Off-plan or newly completed residential projects

The property must be maintained for the duration of your residency. Mirabello Consultancy works with trusted property partners across Malta and Gozo to help clients identify suitable qualifying investments.

The Malta MPRP requires extensive documentation to satisfy identity verification, financial due diligence, and property compliance requirements. All documents must be recent (typically issued within the last 6 months) and apostilled or legalised where applicable.

Required documentation includes:

• Valid passport: Certified copies of all pages for the main applicant and every dependant
• Birth certificates: For the applicant, spouse, children, and any parents or grandparents included
• Marriage certificate: If including a spouse in the application
• Police clearance: Criminal background certificates from every country of residence over the past 10 years
• Proof of financial resources: Bank statements (last 6 to 12 months), investment portfolios, or income documentation demonstrating capital of at least EUR 500,000 (of which EUR 150,000 must be in financial assets)
• Property documentation: Signed purchase agreement or lease contract meeting the minimum thresholds
• Health insurance: Comprehensive policy covering all applicants in Malta and the EU
• Medical certificates: Health declarations for all dependants
• CV/biography: Professional and personal background summary

Mirabello Consultancy provides a complete document checklist and preparation service to ensure first-time submission success.