Which route is right for you?
There is no single "Malta visa". The right route depends on where you are from and why you want to live here.
- EU, EEA or Swiss citizen? You can live and work in Malta freely. You only need to register and get an e-Residence card. See Residence Cards.
- Non-EU and you have a job in Malta? You usually need a Single Permit through your employer. See Permits and IDs.
- Non-EU and you work remotely for a foreign company? Look at the Nomad Residence Permit. See Digital Nomads.
- You want to move with your own money, not a job? Look at the programmes on this page.
The programmes at a glance
| Programme | Who it is for | Main costs (2026) | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | Non-EU people who want to live in Malta for good | €99,000 in fees, plus a home to buy or rent | Normal Malta tax rules |
| Global Residence Programme (GRP) | Non-EU people with income from abroad | €6,000 fee, plus a home to buy or rent | 15% on foreign income you bring to Malta, at least €15,000 a year |
| The Residence Programme (TRP) | EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with income from abroad | Similar to the GRP | Similar to the GRP |
| Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) | Pensioners | Fee, plus a home to buy or rent | 15% on your pension brought to Malta, at least €7,500 a year |
| Nomad Residence Permit | Non-EU remote workers | €300 fee | See Digital Nomads |
Malta no longer sells citizenship. The citizenship-by-investment route closed in 2025 after a ruling of the EU Court of Justice.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
The MPRP gives non-EU citizens and their family permanent residence in Malta. It is run by the Residency Malta Agency, and you must apply through a licensed agent.
What you need (2026):
- Capital: €500,000 (with at least €150,000 in cash or investments), or €650,000 (with at least €75,000 in cash or investments).
- A home for at least 5 years: buy a property worth at least €375,000, or rent one for at least €14,000 a year.
- Fees: €60,000 administration fee + €37,000 government contribution + €2,000 donation to a Maltese charity = €99,000. Each extra adult family member costs €7,500.
- Clean record and health insurance for the whole family.
You can usually get a one-year temporary permit while your application is checked. There is no minimum number of days you must spend in Malta each year.
Global Residence Programme and The Residence Programme
These two programmes are mainly about tax. They are for people who live on income from abroad, such as investments or a foreign business.
- GRP is for non-EU citizens. TRP is for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.
- Foreign income you bring into Malta is taxed at a flat 15%. You pay at least €15,000 tax a year.
- Home: buy a property worth at least €275,000 (€220,000 in Gozo or the south), or rent for at least €9,600 a year (€8,750 in Gozo or the south).
- Fee: €6,000 (€5,500 for a home in Gozo or the south).
Change from 2027: from 1 January 2027 these programmes join a new Individual Tax Programme, with higher minimum tax and property amounts. Applications sent by 31 December 2026 can keep the current rules for some years. Ask a licensed adviser if you are thinking of applying.
Malta Retirement Programme
This programme is for pensioners from any country. Your pension brought into Malta is taxed at 15%, with a minimum tax of €7,500 a year (plus €500 for each dependant). You need a home that meets the same property amounts as the GRP, and your pension must be at least 75% of your income.
Good to know
- Use a licensed agent. The MPRP and the tax programmes must go through an approved agent or registered mandatary. Check they are licensed before you pay anything.
- Rules change often. Amounts and conditions change with new laws. Always check the latest rules with the Residency Malta Agency or the Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA).
- Residence is not the same as tax. Having a residence card does not always make you a tax resident. Read our Taxation guide.