Families applying for residency or citizenship in Malta frequently wish to extend the benefits of their status to close family members. Determining who qualifies as a dependant is therefore a key step in the application process and often one of the first questions raised by prospective applicants. However, the definition of a dependant is not uniform across Maltese immigration routes. Each programme sets its own eligibility criteria based on age, financial reliance, and family relationship, and these distinctions can significantly impact both eligibility and overall application strategy. Understanding these differences at the outset helps families plan effectively, avoid delays, and ensure that all qualifying relatives can be included from the beginning of the process.
A Comprehensive Guide to Dependant Eligibility
In Maltese immigration law, a dependant is generally defined as a family member who is materially reliant on the principal applicant. This reliance typically covers accommodation, daily living expenses, education, healthcare, and other essential needs.
As a general rule, individuals who are financially self-sufficient or economically independent will not qualify to be added to a residency or citizenship application. Married children are also excluded from dependant status, as they are presumed to form part of a separate household unit.
By contrast, the spouse of the principal applicant may be included within the same application regardless of employment status or personal income. The determining factor is the existence of the marital relationship rather than financial reliance.
For all other adult family members, substantial financial dependence must be demonstrated at the time of application, usually through evidence of ongoing support and shared household arrangements.
Malta Residency and Citizenship Routes: Qualifying Family Members
Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP) and The Residence Programme (TRP)
The Malta Global Residence Programme aimed at attracting Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, and it’s equivalent for EU nationals, The Residence Programme (TRP) allows for the inclusion of family members, with slightly different age thresholds and conditions.
Eligible dependants include:
- The spouse of the main applicant in a legally recognised marriage or a partner with whom the beneficiary is in a stable and durable relationship.
- Minor children under 18 years of age.
- Unmarried adult children between 18 and 25 years of age, provided they are wholly or mainly financially dependent on the main applicant.
- Parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse who are principally maintained by the applicant.
- Siblings of the main applicant or spouse, where financial dependence can be demonstrated and where the main applicant is a legal guardian.
- In specific circumstances, household staff who have formed part of the applicant’s household for at least two years, prior to the submission of an application, and continue to be supported by the applicant. For Non-EU employees, work permit in Malta will be required.
In all cases, the competent authorities assess dependency on the basis of actual maintenance and financial reliance rather than solely on age or employment status.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) grants permanent residence rights in Malta to non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their families through a government-regulated investment and contribution framework. Successful applicants obtain lifelong residence status in Malta, visa-free travel across the Schengen Area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), and the ability to settle in a stable EU jurisdiction with access to high standards of healthcare, education, and security.
A main applicant may include the following dependants, provided the applicable dependency conditions are satisfied:
- Spouse or partner in a long and durable relationship.
- Children up to 28 years of age, provided they are unmarried and fully financially dependent on the Main Applicant.
- Dependent parents or grandparents of both the main applicant or the spouse, provided they show full financial dependency on the main applicant.
- Adult children with certified disabilities regardless of age where they are financially dependent on the main applicant.
Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit is designed for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs employed or operating outside Malta who wish to live in the country while continuing their foreign-based professional activity. The permit allows third-country nationals to legally reside in Malta for an initial one-year period (renewable), enjoy visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for short stays, and experience life in an EU member state without becoming tax resident by default (subject to individual circumstances). The programme is particularly suited for location-independent professionals seeking a safe, English-speaking Mediterranean base.
The Main Applicant can include the following qualifying family members in an application. The eligible dependants are:
- The spouse of the applicant.
- Minor children of the applicant and/or of the spouse.
- Adult children of the applicant and/or spouse, who are not married and are principally dependent on the applicant.
In the case of a minor child for whom the applicant does not hold sole custody and who will not be accompanied by both parents in the same application, prior approval to include the dependant must be obtained from Residency Malta, as these requests are examined on a case-by-case basis.
Malta Retirement Programme
The Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) is a special tax residence scheme designed for non-Maltese nationals who receive a pension as their regular source of income and wish to relocate to Malta. The programme grants residence in Malta together with a favourable tax status, including a flat tax rate on foreign-source income remitted to Malta (subject to minimum annual tax). Beneficiaries must hold qualifying property in Malta and genuinely reside in the country, making the programme particularly attractive for retirees seeking an EU lifestyle, security, and access to high-quality healthcare in an English-speaking environment.
An applicant for the Malta Retirement Programme (MRP), can include certain close family members as dependants as follows:
- A legally married spouse or a long-term partner in a stable and durable relationship with the beneficiary.
- Minor children including adopted children.
- Adult children up to the age of 25 as long as they are not economically active.
- Brothers, sisters and direct relatives in the ascending line of the main applicant and the beneficiary’s spouse or partner. To be eligible, the main applicant must be a legal guardian of their siblings.
- Household staff who have been providing services to the beneficiary for at least two years prior to an application. For Non-EU employees, work permit in Malta will be required.
Maltese Citizenship by Merit
For Maltese Citizenship by Merit applications, family inclusion is more limited as outlined below:
- Spouse or recognised partner of the main applicant.
- Unmarried children up to the age of 28 years if they can show that they are financially dependent on the main applicant.
- Adult children (regardless of age) who have a recognised disability and are substantially supported by the main applicant.
Dependants Eligibility Summary
| Route | Spouse / Partner | Minor Children | Unmarried Adult Children | Parents | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Residence Programme (GRP) | Yes | Yes | Up to 25 years (and any age if with disability) | Yes | Siblings & Household Staff |
| The Residence Programme (TRP) | Yes | Yes | Up to 25 years (and any age if with disability) | Yes | Siblings & Household Staff |
| Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | Yes | Yes | Up to 28 years (and any age if with disability) | Yes | N/A |
| Malta Nomad Residence Permit | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | N/A |
| Malta Retirement Programme | Yes | Yes | Up to 25 years | Yes | Siblings & Household Staff |
| Maltese Citizenship by Merit | Yes | Yes | Up to 28 years (and any age if with disability) | No | N/A |
Key Principles Across All Routes
Across Malta’s residence programmes, certain dependency principles consistently apply:
Spouses and minor children are generally recognised as eligible dependants.
Adult dependants must typically be unmarried and financially dependent on the main applicant, unless specific exceptions apply, such as a certified disability or medical condition.
Practical Considerations
As outlined above, each Maltese pathway adopts its own definitions, age thresholds, and evidentiary requirements for family inclusion. Some programmes permit adult children up to a specified age, others focus strictly on financial dependency, while certain routes extend eligibility to wider family members under particular conditions.
Given these distinctions and the documentary scrutiny involved, applicants should seek professional guidance to assess how the rules apply to their specific family structure and to ensure the correct supporting documentation is prepared from the outset.
For expert, confidential advice on the MPRP, citizenship by merit, or other Maltese residency options, contact us to discuss how Malta can enhance your future.
