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Malta Permanent Residence Programme property: buy or rent
Buy from EUR 375,000 or rent from EUR 14,000 a year, anywhere in Malta or Gozo, as the property part of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
Answer and evidence
Which property qualifies for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
Under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme you buy a residential property for at least EUR 375,000, or rent one for at least EUR 14,000 a year, anywhere in Malta or Gozo, and keep it for at least 5 years. On top come the administration fee of EUR 60,000, the government contribution of EUR 37,000, a EUR 2,000 donation and EUR 500 per person for the residence card; stamp duty of 5% applies to a purchase.
- 01Purchase from EUR 375,000, anywhere in Malta or GozoResidency MaltaOFFICIAL29 October 2026
- 02Or rent from EUR 14,000 a yearResidency MaltaOFFICIAL29 October 2026
- 03Administration fee, contribution, donation and cards from EUR 99,500Residency MaltaOFFICIAL29 October 2026
- 04Stamp duty of 5% on a purchaseLaws of MaltaOFFICIAL29 October 2026
Property, fees and stamp duty for your family
How much does property for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme cost?
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme costs at least EUR 375,000 for a bought home plus stamp duty of 5%, and from EUR 99,500 in government fees and residence cards. Renting from EUR 14,000 a year replaces the purchase and the stamp duty, but not the government fees. Legal and notary fees are extra.
| Minimum property purchase | EUR 375,000 |
|---|---|
| Government fees and residence cards | EUR 99,500 |
| Stamp duty | EUR 18,750 |
| Indicative total | EUR 493,250 |
Fees from the regulations and Residency Malta as of 29 October 2026. Each adult dependant other than your spouse or an adult child with a disability pays EUR 7,500; legal and notary fees are extra.
Buy or rent
The two property routes
Malta Permanent Residence Programme applicants choose between buying and renting, and both count anywhere in Malta or Gozo. Buying asks for more money at the start and carries stamp duty, while renting spreads the cost through leases of at least a year. Government fees apply on top in both cases, whichever you choose.
| Route | Minimum | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | EUR 375,000 | Residential property bought anywhere in Malta or Gozo, kept for 5 years |
| Rent, per year | EUR 14,000 | Residential property rented anywhere in Malta or Gozo, leases of at least a year |
Government fees apply on top in both cases.
Property search
How do you find property in Malta for permanent residence?
We do not publish Maltese listings. Tell us your budget and where in Malta or Gozo you would like to live, and we shortlist homes that meet the EUR 375,000 purchase or EUR 14,000 rental rule, including whether you need an AIP permit.
From application to residence card
How do you apply for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme application goes to Residency Malta through an authorised agent, and due diligence comes before approval in principle. Within 8 months you then present the title or lease and pay the contribution and donation. Residency Malta sets no fixed official timeframe, because the decision follows due diligence.
- Apply through an authorised agent
The application goes to Residency Malta through an agent authorised by Residency Malta, with the first part of the administration fee paid within a month of submission.
- Approval in principle
After due diligence, the rest of the administration fee and any adult dependant fees are due within 2 months of the Letter of Approval in Principle.
- Property and contribution
Within 8 months you present the title or lease and pay the EUR 37,000 contribution and the EUR 2,000 donation.
- Certificate and cards
The Residence-by-Investment Certificate is issued, with a residence card for each family member at EUR 500 per person. The card is valid for 5 years and renewable.
What the permit means day to day
What does Malta permanent residence mean day to day?
Malta permanent residence means a certificate with no expiry date while the conditions are met, and the regulations set no minimum stay. You must still hold a residential property in Malta or Gozo, owned or rented. The certificate gives no right to work, so employment needs a separate work permit.
Permanent residence
The certificate has no expiry date while the conditions are met; the residence card is valid for 5 years and renewable.
No minimum stay
The regulations set no minimum stay in Malta.
Work is separate
The certificate gives no right to work; a separate work permit is needed.
Questions
What do buyers ask most often?
Malta Permanent Residence Programme applicants ask most about the property minimum, how long to keep it, letting rules, family cover and citizenship. In short, you buy from EUR 375,000 or rent from EUR 14,000 a year, keep the property for at least 5 years, and treat naturalisation as a separate process at the Minister's discretion.
How much must I spend on property in Malta for permanent residence?
At least EUR 375,000 to buy, or at least EUR 14,000 a year to rent, anywhere in Malta or Gozo. A purchase also pays stamp duty of 5%.
Can I buy property in Malta and get residency?
Property is one part of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, not the whole of it. Alongside the purchase or lease you pay the administration fee of EUR 60,000, the government contribution of EUR 37,000, a EUR 2,000 donation and the residence cards, and the decision follows due diligence.
How long must I keep the property in Malta?
At least 5 years from the date the certificate is issued. After that you must still hold a residential property in Malta or Gozo, owned or rented.
Can I rent out the property I buy in Malta?
Only if it is in a Special Designated Area. A property bought under an AIP permit cannot be rented out.
Who can be included in a Malta Permanent Residence Programme application?
Your spouse, minor children, unmarried dependent children aged 18 to 28, dependent parents and grandparents, and adult children with a disability. Each adult dependant other than the spouse and disabled adult children pays EUR 7,500.
What are the government fees for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
From EUR 99,500 in total: the administration fee of EUR 60,000, the government contribution of EUR 37,000, a EUR 2,000 donation and EUR 500 per person for the residence card. Stamp duty on a purchase, adult dependant fees, and legal and notary fees are separate.
How long does the Malta Permanent Residence Programme take?
Residency Malta sets no fixed official timeframe; the decision follows due diligence. The rest of the administration fee falls due within 2 months of the Letter of Approval in Principle, and the title or lease within 8 months.
Do I have to live in Malta, and can I work there?
The regulations set no minimum stay in Malta. The certificate gives no right to work, so a separate work permit is needed for employment.
Does Malta permanent residence lead to citizenship?
Not directly. Holders may apply for naturalisation, a separate process at the Minister's discretion.
Who can apply for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is open to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals only, because EU, EEA and Swiss citizens already have the right to live in Malta. Applicants also pass due diligence and meet the programme's resources and property conditions.
How do I start with Mirabello Consultancy?
Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy through our contact form or WhatsApp, in any of our 11 languages. Tell us your budget and timing, and whether you prefer to buy or rent. We search privately for homes that meet the rule and handle the residence application.
Looking for property in Malta?
Tell us your budget and timing; we search privately and handle the residence application.