Permanent residency:

Anyone can apply for permanent residency in Malta regardless of their country of origin.

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members, as well as third-country nationals, are able to apply for permanent residency after the completion of five years of normal residency.

During the five years as a temporary resident, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals should have stayed in Malta for more than six months per year.

For non-EU nationals, the minimum requirement is not to be absent for more than six consecutive months in a year in the five years and should not be away from the country for more than ten months in the entirety of the said five-year period.

After obtaining permanent residence in Malta, it should be renewed every year.

Citizenship:

Citizenship through naturalization:

If you want to become a citizen of Malta through the process of naturalization, then the process is extremely complex.

First, a long-term visa, and after that, a residence permit. The next step is to apply for permanent residency and live in the country as a resident for at least five years.

After that, you will have to pass some exams related to language proficiency, Maltese history, and law.

Only after you complete all these steps, you shall be able to acquire citizenship in Malta through the process of naturalization. You should remember that citizenship is only necessary for the people who intend to stay in Malta for the entirety of their lives.

Citizenship through Marriage:

One of the least expensive and hassle-free ways to obtain Maltese citizenship is by marrying a Maltese citizen. After marrying a Maltese citizen, you can apply for citizenship after five years of marriage.

There are no mandatory requirements to stay in the country during this period.

However, marrying just for a Maltese passport is considered a criminal offense, and such people might have to face serious charges such as imprisonment up to two years.

As you may know, you should always marry for love instead of marrying for personal benefit.

Citizenship by descent or birth:

Children and descendants of Maltese citizens can obtain citizenship through this method.

There are no requirements such as minimum stay or residency in the country, yet one must prove his/her origin with appropriate documentation.

Citizenship through family reunification:

People who have close relatives such as parents, siblings, and grandparents living permanently in Malta can apply for citizenship.

Citizenship for distinguished service:

In case of special merit to Malta, citizenship is presented to an individual by the president of Malta.

In general, some renowned scientists, athletes, politicians, celebrities, or people involved with large businesses are provided with citizenship under this category.

However, there are no specific details regarding the criteria for obtaining citizenship through this method.

Citizenship for refugees and political asylum:

It has been estimated that 8,000 to 9,000 refugees arrive in Malta each year, mostly slaves from Africa and the Middle East. If such a person stays in Malta for six years, then he/she can obtain Maltese citizenship.

The only requirement for getting citizenship through this method is by proving that the individual has a life threat or is being discriminated against in the country of origin.

Investment programs:

These are the general ways of obtaining residency/citizenship in Malta, and we will now discuss the residency through investment and citizenship through investment in Malta.

First, let us start with the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP), which is a residency through investment programme in Malta.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP):

This permanent residence programme was launched in the year 2021, which offers permanent residence to non-EU nationals who make an investment in Malta.

Through this programme, people from third countries are able to get a second residency in Malta.

Mostly, people seek a second residency in safe and stable countries such as Malta so as to settle there in an event of an economic or political disturbance in their country of origin.

With the help of this programme, not only the main applicant, but the parents, children, parents, grandparents, and parents-in-law can also obtain residency and settle in Malta.

With the help of this residency permit, applicants can reside in Malta and travel within the 26 countries of the Schengen area without a necessity for a visa.

Only non-EU individuals who have financial stability and a significant amount of wealth are ideal for obtaining this type of residency permit.

Applicants will be required to submit documents such as a clean criminal record, source for their funds, etc., for becoming eligible to obtain this residency permit.

As a part of obtaining the residence permit, the applicant and their family members have to go through a four-tier due diligence test.

Along with these requirements, the individual should be able to prove that he/she has a wealth of at least €500,000, where €350,000 should be in the form of capital and €150,000 should be in financial assets.

There is a requirement for a minimum stay in Malta when a person obtains this residency permit.

While applying, the main applicant can include the following family members within the same application.

• Spouse or Partner
• Unmarried & economically dependent children
• Economically dependent parents of the applicant and his/her spouse
• Economically dependent grandparents of the applicant and his/her spouse

Given below are the investment requirements for obtaining residency under this programme. All the conditions given below are to be fulfilled by an individual to acquire the residence permit.

Condition 1 – The applicant should purchase a property worth at least €350,000 or rent a property that is at least €12,000 annually if the property is located in the Central & Northern part of Malta.

The minimum property price requirement can be reduced to €300,000 and the rental price requirement to €10,000 annually if the property is located in the Southern part of Malta or Gozo.

Condition 2 – The applicant should pay a government application fee of €68,000 if they are purchasing a property. If they are renting a property, then the government application fee will be €98,000.

Condition 3 – A donation of at least €2,000 should be made to a philanthropic organization or a non-governmental organization.

Condition 4 – An administration fee of €30,000 (sometimes €40,000 including all the costs) is to be paid, which is non-refundable.

The application along with the supporting documentation is to be submitted to the Residency Malta Agency, which happens to be the government agency responsible for the processing of these applications.

After reviewing, successful applicants will be asked to make the above-mentioned investment, and following successful completion of making an investment, the Residency Malta Agency will issue a Maltese residence certificate (permit).

Having discussed the permanent residency programme, we will now discuss the process of citizenship through investment in Malta.

Citizenship by Investment:

This programme is known by the name “Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment” or “Malta ESDI

People who are wealthy and are ready to invest in Malta’s economy can apply for citizenship right after one year of residency ( or three years) in the country.

Not just the applicant, but the entire family of the individual can apply for citizenship.

• Spouse
• Children up to 29 years of age
• Parents of the applicant (over 55 years)
• Parents of the spouse of the applicant (over 55 years)

One important thing that should be taken into consideration is that the children aged more than 18 years and the parents should be financially dependent on the applicant.

Right after applying for citizenship, the applicant will be provided with a temporary residency permit, with which they can travel in Europe without a visa.

From 2014 to 2020, there was an investment programme called the Malta Individual Investor Programme, which is closed now.

This made things hard for individual investors but the citizenship through investment programme remained the same, through which citizenship can be obtained without having to live permanently in the country.

From this year (2021), investors can acquire Maltese citizenship for exceptional services provided through direct investment, as per one of the articles of the Maltese Citizenship Act.

The process of obtaining citizenship through investment in Malta is considered to be the fastest and easiest way if you are okay with spending a significant amount of money.

Requirements – The requirements for Malta ESDI are as follows, and individuals must meet all of these conditions.

Condition 1: The individual must contribute at least €600,000 after one year of residency in Malta. Otherwise, they must contribute €750,000 after three years of residency in Malta.

Condition 2: The individual must purchase a residential property that is worth at least €700,000, and this property should be held by the individual for at least five years.

The individual can rent out this property during these five years and can sell it after completion of the said five-year period (if they wish).

(Or)

Alternatively, the individual can acquire a residential property for lease, for which the value must be at least $16,000 per year and this process should be continued for 5 years.

Condition 3: The individual should make a donatdonate0,000 to any of the following organizations or societies, which has been approved by the Community Malta Agency:

Cultural organization

Scientific organization

Philanthropic organization

Animal welfare organization

Registered sport

Additionally, €50,000 should be paid as a contribution to the state fund for each additional family member applying for citizenship through this programme.

Eligibility Test – The family members of the individual should pass a background check, which is equivalent to Due Diligence.

The investor and the family members must provide the information related to the source of their funds along with all the supporting documentation necessary for the application process.

During this test, the applicant and his/her family must prove that all their income sources are genuine and legal, and they don’t have any sort of criminal background.

The main objective of this test is to ensure that the applicant and his family have no obstacles to acquiring citizenship in Malta, and the process is strict and thorough.

In most cases, 1 out of every 5 individuals who take this test fails to obtain citizenship.

After successfully passing the test, the individual becomes eligible for Maltese citizenship valid for a lifetime.

For taking the eligibility test, the main applicant must pay a fee of €15,000 and each additional family member must pay €10,000 whether it is the applicant’s spouse, child (12 to 29 years), or parents (over 55 years).

There is also an administrative fee applicable for each applicant, which is €1,000.

Process of applying – The process of applying for citizenship with the help of the Malta ESDI program is as follows.

Step 1: First, you must select a property, whether it can be for purchase or leasing.

Step 2: Next, you must submit your residency permit along with all the documentation necessary for the citizenship application.

Make sure that you are residing in Malta for at least three before you submit these documents.

Step 3:  Once you are approved, you can apply for the process of naturalization. This process usually takes around four to five months from the date you submit the necessary documents.

Only after you receive this approval, you will be required to provide proof of residence, make the necessary investments, and take an oath of allegiance.

Step 4: After this application gets approved, you can apply for a Maltese passport according to your citizenship certificate.

In simple words, a family of two people would need around €766,000 to €1,500,000 for obtaining citizenship in Malta, without including the property purchase.

One thing you must remember is that Malta would only accept 1,500 people for the next four years, while only accepting less than 400 people per year.

After these four years, the rules and conditions of this law are likely to be changed or revised again.

Malta is considered a safe and stable economy in Europe and there are no restrictions on dual citizenship.

With this country’s citizenship, you can obtain the right of establishment in 27 EU countries along with Switzerland. You can also travel to 184 countries with the necessity of a visa.

Bottom Line:

You should remember that obtaining citizenship or residency in Malta can be quite expensive, and you must only apply for it if you can deal with the expenses.

The process of applying to residency/citizenship through investment is straightforward, yet it takes a lot of time and effort from the individual.

Some individuals might not find enough time to go through the process, and in such a situation, we will be glad to assist you in the process of obtaining residency/citizenship in Malta.

That being said, if you need a professional financial planner or investment manager to take care of your crucial financial needs, you can avail yourself of the top-notch financial services offered by us here.

You can also avail of these services through our mobile app by clicking here.

If you want to learn everything about investments and become familiar with the process of investing, then you can join Adam Fayed Academy and become an efficient investor.

Finally, we hope that you were able to find this article useful in accessing the information for which you have been searching.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Have you ever thought of moving to a country in Europe but everywhere seems challenging? Well, maybe it’s time to check out for Malta. The truth is, if you enjoy the idea of living on an island by the Mediterranean Sea while also cherishing an aesthetically pleasing nightlife, Malta is simply the best.

Trust me; when I say living in Malta, your main issue will be selecting sunbathing all day long or taking your time by exploring this jaw-dropping city and its hidden germs. Are you ready to embark on a new journey or adventure with us? If your answer sounds like a yes, you need to fasten your seatbelt and let us give you an ultimate guide to your next destination.

Researching the costs of living in Malta isn’t the first thing to do. Instead, understand what it takes to become Malta’s permanent resident. And have you ever thought of asking; why Malta and not other European countries? Well, Malta is an island, as said earlier, and it lies close to neighboring Italy, Tunisia, and Libya.

With a population of around 500,000, this country has the smallest capital city in European Union. Well, don’t let the size fool you because Malta has a rich culture, political, and economic stability compared to other European countries. In fact, we can tell you that Malta is the only state in the Schengen area to maintain good economic growth consistently.

Have you been surfing the internet to know more about the Malta MPRP program? Do you want to know whether this program is worth it? If you’re looking to find a suitable answer, look no further. This is because; you’ve landed on the right platform, and we’re keen to walk you through the whole process.

Moving to Malta as an Expat in 2021

Before we dive into Malta’s residence program today, there are certain terms and caveats you should understand. At a glance, this picture-perfect rocky island is a comfortable and relatively hassle-free spot to work, explore, and live. In a nutshell, let’s quickly walk you through some interesting facts.

Public Transport System

Malta is no doubt a small country. In fact, it relies on buses for public transport. Not only is that, but according to research, the island’s fleet in this country was replaced in recent years and still today has services to get you all the spots you want to explore. Of course, that’s not to say they are regular or super-fast.

While planning to relocate to this country, you must prepare to sit back and take in the scenery as your bus meanders along twisting roads and make multiple stopovers. On the flip side, you can pick up the Tallinja card to take advantage of about 0.75c journeys, capped at 26 Euros a month, while a major discount might occur in the long run.

Driving Experience

One thing you need to know is that there are lots of cars in Malta. Therefore, if you’re going to brave the roads, you need to stay focused. Besides, there’s a bit of an extreme sport in Malta. This way, drivers can be reticent to indicate or give way, and traffic jams commonly block the narrow between towns.

However, for most nationalists, your foreign driver’s license will be fine for up to a year, and expats from European Union, Australia, and Switzerland can swap over to a Maltese license. So, this contributes to one of the reasons why Malta should be your next destination.

Malta Free Healthcare

Malta’s free public healthcare system was modeled on the UK’s NHS, and working expats can join. This process will be active once you’re issued with a social security number and residence card in the country.

Although you’ll definitely see private healthcare in Malta but there might be queues at the clinics because they are generally inexpensive. But, we’d advise you to get private medical insurance if you’re just visiting the country for the first time. This might cover your bills and health-related problems.

Maltese are Multilingual

One thing you’ll always see locals proud about this country is because they are a multilingual nation. While the national language of Maltese islands is Maltese, the majority of the locals are multilingual. They speak the English language, and you can even see many Maltese communicating in Italian fluently.

Moreover, in recent research, we discover that over 88 percent of the population can speak English fluently while about 66 percent can speak Italian. With this fraction, it eliminates most language and communication barriers for foreigners visiting or moving to Malta for the first time.

Malta is Sunny all tear Round

Expect a sunny day while living in this country. Being surrounded by the sea, Malta experiences a climate of very mild winters and hot, dry summers. Not only is that, but Malta enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, which is one of the highest in Europe.

Meanwhile, the summer season is said to last for about eight months, from mid-April up until November. Additionally, you’ll never get too far from the sea. Therefore, if you fancy a spontaneous swim or dive in the clear blue Mediterranean Sea during the day, then you’ve never gone too far.

Rich and Dynamic Cultures

Malta is one of the countries in Europe with a unique cultural background, folkways, and heritage. Due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea, it is known to have a rich and interesting history. And this is a result of the succession of powers throughout the years, including the Phoenicians, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St. John, British, Arab, and many others, to mention a few.

Aside from this fact, you can experience a bit of Malta’s history and culture as an expat. Some of these include; the fortifications in the three cities, the Neolithic temple – including some of the oldest free-standing structures in the country, and the 359 churches scattered around the islands.

Celebration of Festas

Another thing you’ll like about living in this country is to experience the Festas celebration. Undoubtedly, the Maltese know how to celebrate, and their celebration is based on the many fiestas that take place throughout the country yearly.

Most festas celebrations are held between May and September, where each village celebrates its patron saint by putting on a spectacular fireworks show. This process is done while marching bands play music, and a statue of the patron saint is carried around the colorful, decorated village streets.

5 Main Paths to Get Residence Permit in Malta

Have you ever thought of becoming a citizen of Malta, or do you plan to stay in this country for a long period of time? Well, there are many paths to getting a permanent residence permit in the country. Moreover, many wealthy non-Europeans would love to become a resident in Europe for various reasons like tax residency, traveling to Schengen countries visa-free, moving the whole family to a developed European country, and many others, to mention a few.

Regardless of these reasons, getting a residence permit in Europe can make you achieve these stated goals. But, only a few European citizens can achieve these goals and solves these problems. Well, Malta is among the few countries that could make your dream come to reality. Without further ado, check it out.

1.    Malta Residency for Investors and Entrepreneurs

One of the fastest ways to apply for a residence permit in Malta is to participate in the state migration program for wealthy foreigners. This program is known as the Malta Global Residence Program, and it allows children under 25 years old, parents, and grandparents without any age restrictions to participate. To take part in this global program, an investor must fill the following four conditions.

• Rent a home in Malta for at least 8,800 Euros to 9,800 Euros. Of course, the amount depends on the region selected, but the rent is lower on the island of Gozo and in the south of Malta
• Paying an administration fees of about 5,500 Euros to 6,000 Euros, depending on the region the property you want to buy is located
• Obtain health insurance for all family members participating in the program in Malta
• Pay the minimum income of at least 15,000 Euros

Furthermore, the residence permit holders are required to maintain their permits over time. This may include; paying an annual income tax of 15 percent on income earned outside Malta and many others, to mention a few.

2.    Malta Residence Permit for Employment

Malta residence permit for employment is another thing to put into consideration. Although it might seem difficult to find an employer in Malta who will offer you a long-term contract, we can tell you that highly qualified specialists in IT, pharmaceuticals, and financial services are in demand.

Besides, many leading international companies are based in Malta. This way, a residence permit for employment could be issued jointly with a work permit. In that case, the residence permit must be renewed annually, and its validity ends at the conclusion of the employment contract. In addition, there are two types of visas for those working in Malta. These include; the regular work visa and the blue card.

3.    Residence Permit for Education and Training

Surprisingly, many students can get a permit in Malta. This is because; students at schools and universities in this country are issued a residence permit for the duration of their studies. However, the residence permit is issued under a contract with an educational institution.

Meanwhile, after graduation, these students have to look for a job in Malta in order to renew their residence permit, which will then be linked to their employment contract.

4.    Permit for Family Reunification in Malta

Foreigners living in this country can also apply for a residence permit for their close family members. So, once the family members get a Maltese residence permit, they’re eligible to apply for Maltese citizenship five years later.

Meanwhile, the opportunity to obtain a residence permit is given to foreign spouses of Maltese citizens. This way, citizenship can be obtained even quicker, just two years after you get a residence permit.

5.    Residence Permit to Run Business in Malta

This happens to be the last one on our list. As of today, there are support programs available for entrepreneurs in this country. Malta has an attractive tax system with lower taxes than in other European countries. In that case, business people from all over the world can register their companies and get a residence permit. Moreover, businesses registered in this country must meet certain requirements.

Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP) in 2021

The Malta Permanent Residency program (MPRP) programme launched in 2021 is a program adopted by the government to favor non-EU nationals who invest in the country. Also, this program offers third-country nationals the opportunity to acquire a second residency in Malta which is solely a member state of the EU and part of the Schengen Area.

Additionally, this MPRP is regulated by a robust legal framework, and it allows the main applicant the right to include in the application the parents, children, as well as the spouse. And one more thing to know about this program is that it allows the applicants the right to travel within the twenty-six countries of the Schengen Area without a visa.

Eligibility & Requirements

The Malta permanent residence program is only open to Non-EU Nationals who are in receipt of stable resources to maintain themselves and their family members in the country. While enrolling in this program, the applicant must provide evidence of a clean police record and source of wealth and funds.

In this regard, applicants and their family members must pass a strict four-tier due to diligence test. However, to be eligible for this program, you must provide evidence that you hold at least three hundred and fifty thousand euros in capital and one hundred and fifty thousand euros in financial assets.

Qualifying Family members for MPRP

• Partner or spouse of the main applicant
• Unmarried and economically dependent children of the main spouse or applicant
• Economically dependent parents of the main applicants and the spouse
• Economically dependent grandparents of the main applicant and the

MPRP Requirements

• Individual must be at least 19 years of age and must be a non-EU citizen
• Meeting the qualifying investment requirements
• Hold the property investment for a minimum of at least five years
• Hold the property investment for a minimum of 5 years
• You must have a clean criminal record, as mentioned earlier
• Acquire global health insurance coverage
• Expatriates must be in good health condition and good reputation
• You must be able to provide evidence of the source of funds used for the application
• Expatriates must have sufficient resources to support themselves
• You must be able to provide proof of assets of at least EUR 500,000 with at least EUR 150,000 in financial assets

Processes involved in MPRP

• Preparation and submission of original application documents
• Review of the application by Maltese authorities and conducting of applicants background checks
• You may need to submit proof of health insurance coverage and fulfill the investment requirements
• Complete the biometrics in Malta and application for the permanent residency
• Issuance of the permanent residency certificate as well as the card
• Expected application processing time of six to eight-month

Does MPRP Program in Malta Worth it?

Before we answer the question above, it’s quite essential to highlight the benefits of the Malta permanent residence program. Without further ado, check it out below.

• Opportunity to have permanent residence status in Malta valid for life
• You’ll be given the right to reside indefinitely in the country
• Opportunity to invest in property for the first five years
• You’ll be given visa-free travel within the Schengen Area
• Expatriates will be given the opportunity to include family members in the same application
• You don’t have minimum stay requirements if you apply for the Malta MPRP program

Now, to come back to your question is as simple as what you could think of. From the benefits mentioned above, we can tell you that the Malta MPRP program really worth it. This is because; it gives you an edge to reside in the country without disturbance.

Aside from this fact, the MPRP is unique because it is the only residence program to grant permanent residence immediately in Malta. So, what are you waiting for? And in fact, the MPRP is thus the only European residence by investment program which allows the applicant to rent a property without having to purchase before applying for residency.

Best Places Suitable For Expats in Malta

Most villages in Malta have what you’re looking for as an expat. Also, some villages have a good hospital and a large grocery store. Besides, we can tell you that those villages are generally very densely populated. In a bid to know more about the best places to live as an expat, we have compiled the following.

Valletta

Valletta is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe, as we all know. More so, this place is recognized as the country’s capital, and it’s one of the best places to live in the country. Here, there’s no active nightlife to speak of.

Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site imposes certain obligations and restrictions, after all. Although Valletta is not the most popular choice for expats, but if you’re into culture, history, and arts, you’ll find it all here.

Harbour Area

If you’re after a more social life in Malta, then look around the harbor Area to enjoy yourself. This place is also known as Greater Valletta and is situated around the Grand Harbour, which is one of the most fabulous natural harbors in the world.

Aside from this fact, this city (or village) is a very lively and cosmopolitan place to live, full of shops, bars, and cafes. Besides, it is built up, often congested with traffic and busy all year round. If you think this place is too expensive for you to live in, you can look at the opposite end, which is the south side of the Grand Harbour.

Swieqi & Pembroke

This is another place to take into consideration if you’re looking to live in Malta as an expat. West of St. Julian’s, lying inland is a little town of Swieqi, which is a quiet residential area just 15 minutes by bus from Sliema and within walking distance of Paceville and St. Julian’s

Due to this city location, and peaceful character, we can tell you that the area is very popular with the local upper-middle class. Not only is that, but this city has all the necessary amenities and facilities to make life there comfortable and convenient. In fact, there are numerous paths for hiking available along the coast.

Madliena

Of course, a little west and inland is the lovely little town of Madliena, which is situated at a high elevation and has fabulous views of the northern bays. Being in close proximity to both St. Paul’s Bay and St. Julian’s, we can tell you that this city resident can take advantage of the beaches in those regions.

Besides, Madliena is mainly a villa residential area where you will find detached villas. That being said, the villas are quite an expensive type of property on the island due to the natural lack of land. Meanwhile, there are also luxury apartment developments, as well as maisonettes, available in the area.

Ta Xbiex

Ta Xbiex is known as a small town in the eastern part of Malta that overlooks a beautiful Marsamxetto harbor. Additionally, Ta Xbiex is mostly known for its stunning marina and a number of foreign embassies, including those of Egypt, Italy, France, and the British High Commission.

Marsaxlokk

Do you love seafood, and would you love to enjoy a wonderful moment in Malta? If that sounds like a yes, this is the right place. Marsaxlokk is famous for its big Sunday fish market and its many decorative-eyed painted boats known as Luzzus.

Conclusion

If you’re planning to relocate to any country in Europe, Malta should be your top priority. Beyond that, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme allows you to become a Maltese resident without disturbance from a third party. Would you love to know more about this program? Refer to this guide.