Malta Residency and Citizenship

 

Malta is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. According to International Living, Malta is the country with the best climate in the world.

 

General information and advantages:

 

• Malta has been a member of the European Union since 2004
• Stable political climate and bi-partisan political scene
• Parliamentary democracy system, highly respected and considered neutral on the international stage
• Growing economy
• Some of the soundest banks in the world
• Very economically secure nation with the second largest banking sector in the Eurozone

 

RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP

 

1. Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation (Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation / MEIN):

 

In 2020, the Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment regulation, also referred to as the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN), replaced the successful Malta Individual Investor (IIP) program. The MEIN, which is available to EU/EEA and Non-EU Passport Holders, offers the applicant and his/her family members Malta residency and citizenship upon fulfilling the application requirements.

To be able to apply for Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, the applicant needs to make the following:

 

1. directly invest to the Maltese economy
2. donate
3. hold a residential property

 

A. Malta Exceptional Direct Investment (non-refundable):

The main applicant who would be able to prove residency status in Malta for 36 months prior to naturalization is required to make a direct investment in the amount of EUR 600,000 while the applicant who would be able to prove residency for at least 12 months is required to make an exceptional direct investment in the amount of EUR 750,000. Moreover, if the applicant has dependents, each dependent is required to make further investment in the amount of EUR 50,000.

 

B. Malta Philanthropic Donation:

In addition to the direct investment, the main applicant must make a philanthropic donation in the amount of EUR 10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization.

 

C. Malta Property Investment:

In addition to direct investment and donation, the main applicant must establish a residence in Malta through either purchasing real estate or renting a property. If the applicant opts to purchase a real estate, the residential property must be valued at no less than EUR 700,000.00 OR lease of residential property with minimum annual rental value of EUR 16’000. In both cases the property must be held for a minimum of five (5) years and must not be let or sublet.

 

2. Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP):

 

The Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP) grants non-EU individuals to reside indefinitely in Malta. The MPRP program requires a one-time investment in Malta. It gives the applicant a choice between purchasing a property, or renting a property.

 

Option 1: Purchase a property and pay the corresponding reduced government contribution:

• Purchase a property with a minimum value of EUR 350,000 in the northern and central parts of Malta, OR EUR 300,000 in the south or Gozo;
• Pay the non-refundable administrative fee in the amount of EUR 40,000 (non-refundable);
• Pay the amount of EUR 28,000 as the reduced Government contribution;
• Donate to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization the amount of EUR 2,000

 

Option 2: Rent a property and pay the full Government contribution

• Pay the non-refundable administrative fee of EUR 40,000;
• Rent a property with a minimum of EUR 12,000 per year in the northern and central parts of Malta, OR EUR 10,000 per year in the south or Gozo;
• Pay the amount of EUR 58,000 to the Government;
• Donate to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization the amount of EUR 2,000

 

To qualify, the main applicant must have a portfolio investment. He must declare that he owns assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, other) valued at no less than EUR 500,000 of which EUR 150,000 must be available in financial assets such as stocks, bonds, funds or bank deposits.

 

 

 

Benefits:

 

• The Malta citizenship by investment application process has been well established over the years
• Successful candidates will be granted citizenship in Malta by a Certificate of Naturalization, which can also be extended to include their families
• Malta citizenship, which includes EU citizenship, guarantees the right of establishment in all 28 EU countries and Switzerland
• Ability to set up business in Malta
• Malta passport guarantees visa-free travel to more than 160 countries across the world including the United States
• Children of Maltese citizens automatically get the Maltese citizenship, EU citizenship, regardless of which place of birth
• Low tax

 

 

3. Malta Global Residence Program (GRP):

 

Malta Global Residence Program provides non-EU nationals the chance to reside in Malta, to enjoy special Malta Tax Status, and to apply for Malta work permit. Successful applicants can also enjoy visa-free travel to any country within the Schengen area. Though are is no minimum day of stay requirement, successful applicants may not reside in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days per year.

 

To qualify for this program, an individual must purchase property or rent:

 

Option 1: Purchase a property

• Purchase a property with a minimum value EUR 275,000 in the northern and central parts of Malta, OR EUR 220,000 in the south or Gozo

 

Option 2: Rent a property

• Rent a property with a minimum rent payment of 9,600 in the northern and central parts of Malta, OR EUR 8,750 in the south or Gozo

 

4. Malta Residence Program:

 

Malta Residence Program gives EU nationals the chance to enjoy a special Malta Tax Status and to obtain Maltese residence permit through a minimum investment in property in Malta.

 

To qualify for this program, the individual must purchase property or rent:

 

Option 1: Purchase a property

• Purchase a property with a minimum value EUR 275,000 in the northern and central parts of Malta, OR EUR 220,000 in the south or Gozo

 

Option 2: Rent a property

• Rent a property with a minimum rent payment of 9,600 in the northern and central parts of Malta, OR EUR 8,750 in the south or Gozo

 

5. Malta Retirement Program:

 

Malta Retirement Program intended for retirees whether EU and non-EU nationals who receive income solely from their pension.

 

To qualify for this program, the individual must purchase property or rent:

 

Option 1: Purchase a property

• Purchase a property with a minimum value EUR 275,000 in the northern and central parts of Malta, OR EUR 220,000 in the south or Gozo

 

Option 2: Rent a property

• Rent a property with a minimum rent payment of 9,600 in the northern and central parts of Malta, OR EUR 8,750 in the south or Gozo

 

The applicant must also reside in Malta for a minimum of 90 days each calendar year, averaged over any five-year period. Individuals must not reside in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days in any calendar year during which they benefit from the Malta Retirement Program.

 

 

For more details, please do not hesitate to contact us for more details.