With the EU moving to finalise a mechanism to suspend Schengen visa-free travel for Caribbean countries offering citizenship by investment, interest is shifting towards more secure alternatives within Europe. Residency by investment programmes are gaining ground as strategic options, offering residence rights in the EU without losing Schengen access. Among these, Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) stands out for its stability, transparency, and long-term benefits.
From Caribbean to Europe: A Shift in Global Mobility Strategy
The global investment migration landscape is shifting rapidly, since Caribbean citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes are under increasing scrutiny. This has been especially true following recent decisions by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States to tighten their approach to visa waivers for countries offering citizenship with minimal genuine ties.
Meanwhile, the United States issued a travel ban memorandum naming Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia, citing concerns over citizenship grants without residency or genuine connection.
As the viability of Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes comes under increasing pressure, European residency by investment regulations, are gaining prominence as lawful and strategically sound alternatives. While the Schengen Area currently remains accessible to Caribbean passport holders, the situation may change with the European Union’s announcement of legislative reforms to tighten its visa policy.
EU Reform: The Updated Visa Suspension Mechanism
In April 2025, the European Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement to revise the EU’s visa suspension mechanism. Originally introduced in 2013, the regulation allows the EU to suspend visa-free travel from third countries under specific conditions.
The updated regulation introduces broader grounds for suspension. Chief among them is the operation of investor citizenship schemes that offer nationality without genuine links or long-term commitments. The EU now has greater authority to suspend visa-free access for countries running such programmes, with initial suspensions lasting up to 12 months and potential extensions reaching 24 months.
Additional triggers include:
- Divergence in visa policy from EU standards;
- Weaknesses in document security and hybrid threats;
- Increased asylum claims or overstay rates;
- Deterioration in human rights or rule of law.
The Schengen Area: Europe’s Passport-Free Zone
The Schengen Area includes 29 European countries that have eliminated internal border controls, allowing passport-free movement for residents and eligible visa holders. Malta, a full Schengen member, grants visa-free access to residents under the MPRP for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire zone.
As of 2025, Schengen includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Malta’s MPRP: A Secure Route to European Residency
Unlike Caribbean citizenship programmes, Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme grants residence in a Schengen Member State. As a result, beneficiaries gain the right to reside in Malta indefinitely and can travel visa-free within the Schengen Area using their Maltese residence card.
Malta has built a reputation for political and economic stability, a sound legal system, and a strong compliance culture. The country actively participates in EU and OECD anti-money laundering and financial transparency frameworks.
Key Requirements of the MPRP
To qualify for the MPRP, applicants must meet several legal, financial, and due diligence obligations:
- Government Contribution: €110,000 if leasing a qualifying property, or €80,000 if purchasing.
- Property Requirement: Minimum annual rent of €14,000 or minimum purchase price of €375,000. The property must be retained for at least five years, and a qualifying property must always be maintained.
- Philanthropic Donation: A donation of €2,000 to a registered Maltese NGO.
- Financial Threshold: Applicants must declare assets of at least €500,000, with €150,000 in liquid financial assets. Alternatively, €650,000 in total assets, with at least €75,000 in liquid financial assets.
- Due Diligence: Applicants must undergo thorough background checks and demonstrate good conduct, along with sufficient stable resources to support themselves and dependants. In addition applicants must disclose their assets and provide evidence of source of wealth and funds.
What Makes MPRP a Standout Alternative?
For individuals seeking secure, long-term residency in Europe with the benefits of Schengen mobility, the MPRP offers a compelling value proposition:
- Lifetime permanent residency for the main applicant and family
- One streamlined application for the entire family unit
- Inclusion of children (unmarried, dependent, up to age 28) and financially dependent parents or grandparents
- PR retention even if children later marry or start working
- Future family rights, including spouses and children of the originally approved children
- Immediate issuance of residence status
- Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area
- Investment obligations payable only after approval
In light of the increasing regulatory scrutiny and the anticipated suspension of visa-free access to the Schengen Area, the legal certainty and mobility benefits historically associated with Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes are progressively diminishing. Consequently, investors prioritising stability, lawful access to the European Union, and long-term mobility are turning to more secure and compliant alternatives.
Malta’s MPRP provides such a solution with a clear, legal pathway to permanent residency, backed by strong due diligence, regulatory alignment, and continued access to the Schengen zone.
How We Can Assist
Our firm’s Immigration & Relocation Law department is Malta’s longest-standing team dedicated to investment migration. We have advised high-net-worth individuals, global entrepreneurs, and internationally mobile families on how best to achieve their goals through Malta’s residency solutions.
Our services cover all legal, administrative, and practical aspects of relocation—from programme eligibility and tax planning to education, housing, and health logistics.
Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker, our Senior Partner and a licensed agent for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (Licence No. AKM-ACCA), leads our team in providing clear, comprehensive advice tailored to your individual needs.
If you are looking for a long-term, Schengen-accessible residency solution that aligns with international standards, Malta’s MPRP could be your next strategic move.
