What Is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is Malta’s residence by investment route for non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals. It grants successful applicants and their families the right to reside indefinitely in Malta, along with visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for 90 days out of every 180.
Often referred to as Malta residence by investment, the MPRP is administered by Residency Malta Agency and requires applicants to work through a licensed agent since applications cannot be submitted directly.
The programme was introduced under Legal Notice 121 of 2021, replacing the earlier Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP), and has since been updated multiple times, most recently and significantly under Legal Notice 146 of 2025. That 2025 update introduced several important changes that materially affect how the programme works today:
- The introduction of a temporary residence permit: applicants can now obtain a one-year, renewable temporary residence permit shortly after submitting a redacted application and clearing initial background checks, letting them legally reside in Malta while the permanent residence application is still being processed
- Simplified contributions: a single flat government contribution now applies to the main applicant, replacing the previous two-tier system that charged a higher contribution for applicants on the lease route than the purchase route
- Greater flexibility on property rules: the regulations now allow more scope for renting out or subletting a qualifying property, where previously the rules were considerably more restrictive
Who Is the MPRP For?
The MPRP tends to suit a fairly specific set of profiles, more than a one-size-fits-all audience:
- Frequent travellers who want Schengen access: For Non-EU nationals who want to spend meaningful time in Europe, MPRP status gives them access to the Schengen Area for 90 in a 180-day period.
- Retirees: Malta’s climate, healthcare system, and English-speaking environment make it a popular base for retirees from outside the EU looking for a slower pace of life without giving up easy access to the rest of Europe.
- Those wanting to live in an English-speaking EU country: Malta is the only full EU member state where English is an official language, which removes a major barrier for applicants who don’t want to learn a new language to settle in Europe.
- Families wanting a multi-generational base: The programme’s four-generation dependant structure (spouse, children up to 28, parents, grandparents) suits applicants looking to relocate or provide security for an extended family, not just themselves.
- Those who don’t need or want to relocate immediately: Because there’s no minimum stay requirement, it also appeals to applicants who want the optionality of Maltese residence without committing to living there full-time.
Benefits of the MPRP
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme bestows a number of benefits to applicants and their family members including:
- Lifetime validity: The residence certificate itself does not expire, provided programme obligations are maintained, making it a genuinely permanent status rather than one requiring periodic requalification
- No minimum physical residence requirement: Unlike some EU residence routes, there’s no obligation to live in Malta for a set number of days each year
- Schengen mobility: Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- English-speaking environment: Day-to-day life, schooling, communication, road signs are all in English
- Family inclusion: A genuinely wide dependant framework spanning up to four generations and possibility to add another generation
- Political and economic stability: Malta is a long-standing EU and Eurozone member with a stable legal system and growing economy.
- Straightforward asset options: The qualifying investment can be met through a lease as well as a purchase, which lowers the up-front capital commitment compared to other residence options in Europe.
- Children’s residence rights are locked in for life: This is one of the MPRP’s biggest differentiators. Once a child is validly included as a dependant, they keep their Maltese permanent residence for life, even after they marry, turn 29, or are no longer financially dependent on the main applicant. What matters is the position at the time of application through to approval: at that point, the child must be under 29, unmarried, and financially dependent on the main applicant. Once approved, none of those conditions need to continue to be true for the child to keep their status.
Who Qualifies for the MPRP
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a third-country national (not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland)
- Not be a national of, or have close ties to, a currently ineligible country. As of the latest programme guidelines, this list includes Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen, and Venezuela, along with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
- Hold a clean criminal record and pass Malta’s four-tier due diligence process
Eligible dependants can include:
- Spouse, or partner in a long-term relationship equivalent to marriage (de facto partnerships are accepted with adequate supporting proof of the relationship)
- Children (including adopted) under 18
- Unmarried children up to 28 years of age, provided they are principally dependent on the main applicant.
- Parents and grandparents of the main applicant and/or their spouse
This “four-generation” structure is one of the more generous dependant frameworks among European residence-by-investment options. There is no upper age limit for parents or grandparents.
For any adult dependant the main applicant must provide a sworn affidavit confirming that the dependant is principally reliant on them, ideally supported by documentary evidence such as financial records or proof of shared residence. In practical terms, “principally dependent” means the dependant cannot maintain an independent, self-sufficient lifestyle without the main applicant’s support — an adult dependant with substantial personal wealth, significant income, or business interests of their own will generally not qualify, even if the main applicant continues to support them financially.
Retirement income does not automatically disqualify a parent or grandparent, provided genuine dependency can still be shown.
An additional government fee of €7,500 applies for each adult dependant included in the application, and household staff cannot be included as dependants under any circumstances.
Financial Requirements (Self-Sufficiency Test)
Applicants must demonstrate one of the following capital positions:
- €500,000 in capital, of which at least €150,000 must be in liquid financial assets, or
- €650,000 in capital, of which at least €75,000 must be in liquid financial assets
This capital requirement sits alongside and is separate from the property and government contribution obligations below. It applies only to the main applicant and does not scale up with the number of dependants included.
What counts as a financial asset: liquid holdings such as bank deposits, bonds, publicly listed or traded shares, and funds. Cryptocurrency is explicitly not accepted as a financial asset under the programme.
What counts toward the wider capital position: real estate can form part of the main applicant’s total capital, supported by an independent architect’s valuation. A jointly owned property is only counted toward the capital requirement to the extent of the spouse’s share, and only where the spouse is included in the application. Applicants who hold shares in a publicly listed company exceeding 10% of total shareholding must also submit supporting company documentation.
This capital position must be maintained and is monitored annually for the first five years via the official compliance declaration, signed by both the beneficiary and the licensed agent.
The MPRP Financial Requirements
Current requirements to qualify for the MPRP are:
- Administration fee: €60,000 total, payable in two stages:
- €15,000 on submission of the application
- €45,000 following issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle
- Government contribution: €37,000
- Qualifying property, either:
- Purchase: minimum €375,000
- Lease: minimum €14,000 per year
- NGO donation: €2,000 to a local non-governmental organisation registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, or another body approved by the Agency.
The €97,000 government fees cover the main applicant, spouse, and children under 18 who are principally dependent on the main applicant at the time of application. Every adult dependant beyond that carries an additional €7,500 government fee.
Applicants must also have a health insurance policy covering a minimum of €100,000 per year, for health expenses in Malta and other European countries.
Buying or Renting Property in Malta under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Property is one of the areas which is important as applicants need to rent or buy a property once they receive a letter of approval in principle, so it’s worth covering in depth.
Timing: Applicants do not need to already own or lease a qualifying property at the point of application. The property must be secured and the relevant documentation submitted within 8 months of the date the Letter of Approval in Principle is issued. Applicants would only need to have a property before approval, if opting to apply for the 1 year temporary residence permit.
Purchase route: The minimum value if purchasing a property should be of €375,000. Where a property was bought before the application date and improved at the applicant’s own expense, an independent architect’s valuation report can be used to demonstrate the property now meets the €375,000 threshold. A hotel room or similar unit does not qualify as the property must be residential.
Lease route: The minimum value if renting a property should be of €14,000 per year. The rental must also be registered with the Housing Authority.
Compliance, Renewals, and Ongoing Obligations
In order to maintain one’s status under the MPRP, applicants must for the first five years submit an annual compliance form, confirming that they still own or rent a property, that they still have a health insurance policy and also still maintain the minimum wealth.
The Role of Residency Malta Agency
Residency Malta Agency is the Maltese government body responsible for administering the MPRP from end to end. It sets and enforces the programme’s eligibility criteria, reviews every application through a four-tier due diligence process, and holds final decision-making authority via its Board of Approvals. Beyond due diligence, the Agency issues the Letter of Approval in Principle, the residence certificate, and the Letter of Final Approval, oversees biometric data capture, and conducts ongoing compliance monitoring for at least the first five years of a beneficiary’s residence, including the right to carry out random property spot-checks. It also maintains and enforces the list of licensed agents authorised to submit applications.
The Role of a Licensed Agent
An MPRP application can only be submitted through an officially licensed and approved agent, appointed under a formal Power of Attorney, such as our firm – holding licence RES-ACCA.
In practice, a licensed agent’s role covers the full lifecycle of an application:
- Carrying out an initial eligibility assessment before taking on a case
- Preparing and assembling the full application pack and supporting documentation to the Agency’s required standard
- Conducting and evidencing Know-Your-Client (KYC) checks on the and family members
- Submitting the application through the Agency’s Agents’ Portal, and liaising with case officers throughout the review process
- Guiding the applicant through the property, government contribution, and NGO donation obligations once the Letter of Approval in Principle is issued
- Certifying key application forms, including verifying the applicant’s identity via the Agency’s approved digital verification software
- Managing the mandatory five-year compliance period on the applicant’s behalf, including annual compliance declarations and card renewals
ACC Immigration (ACC Advisors Ltd.), holding Residency Malta Agency Licence Number RES-ACCA, has represented hundreds of applicants under the MPRP.
Documents Required for an MPRP Application
While the exact checklist varies slightly depending on individual circumstances (marital status, number of dependants, source of funds), the core documentation an agent will typically need to prepare an application pack includes:
- Identity documents: Full passport, national ID card, and driving licence (where applicable) for the main applicant and each dependant
- Civil status documents: Birth certificates for all applicants and dependants, marriage certificate(s), and any divorce certificates, even where the individual has since remarried.
- Military records, where applicable
- Police conduct certificates: From the applicant’s country of origin and from any country where they have resided for more than 6 months in the last 10 years
- Bank statements: Typically the last 3 months for the account the administration fee and contribution will be paid from
- Evidence of source of wealth and funds: Supporting documentation for how the applicant’s capital was accumulated, which may include security or investment portfolios, property appraisals, company financial statements, or equivalent evidence from a reputable or official source
- Health insurance policy: The health insurance should cover each beneficiary for a minimum of €100,000 per annum, and must cover full health expenses in both Malta and other European countries
Malta Permanent Residence Application Process and Timeline
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration |
| 1. Engage a licensed agent (RES-ACCA) | Sign a Power of Attorney and commence document preparation. | |
| 2. Submit application pack | Full application, KYC evidence, and supporting documents submitted to Residency Malta Agency | |
| 3. Pay initial fee to Residency Malta AGENCY | €15,000 of the €60,000 administration fee | Due within 1 month of submission (or before the biometric appointment, if applying for a temporary permit) |
| 4. Due diligence review | Four-tier vetting of the main applicant and dependants, including international checks | 3-7 months |
| 6. Letter of Approval in Principle | Issued once due diligence process is completed. | Remaining €45,000 administration fee due within 2 months of issuance |
| 7. Secure qualifying property | Purchase (€375,000+) or lease (€14,000+/year), plus the €37,000 contribution and €2,000 NGO donation | Property must be finalised within 8 months of the Approval in Principle |
| 8. Residence certificate issued | Once all documentation is submitted and accepted | Within about 7 days of final documentation being confirmed complete |
| 9. Biometrics and card issuance | Main applicant and all dependants attend in person to give biometric data | Residence cards printed roughly 2 weeks after biometrics are captured |
MPRP Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I apply for the MPRP without buying property?
Yes. Applicants can satisfy the property requirement through a qualifying lease (minimum €14,000/year) instead of a purchase.
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Do I need to live in Malta to keep my permanent residence status?
No continuous physical presence is required.
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How long does the MPRP process take?
With the 2025 changes, applicants can obtain a temporary residence permit shortly within 1 month, with the full permanent residence certificate typically following after 4-7 months, depending on due diligence timelines.
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Can my parents and grandparents be included in my application?
Yes. The MPRP allows a four-generation family structure, including parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse, subject to eligibility conditions.
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Can applications be rejected under the MPRP regulations?
Yes. Every application goes through rigorous due diligence, analysing source of wealth and reputation of the applicant. Common grounds for rejection include: a criminal record, pending charges, or ongoing investigation for any offence carrying more than a year’s imprisonment; any involvement, past or present, in terrorism, money laundering, war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights violations; any history of serious offences against minors or of a violent or sexual nature; or appearing on an international sanctions list the Agency is bound to observe. This applies to the main applicant and to every dependant included in the application.
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What happens if my MPRP application is refused?
Any temporary residence permit issued is revoked within 15 days of the refusal notice, and the Approvals Board’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
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Are cryptocurrency holdings accepted as proof of the capital requirement?
No. Financial assets must be liquid holdings such as bank deposits, bonds, or publicly traded shares — cryptocurrency does not qualify.
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What happens to my dependants if I later divorce?
A spouse’s residence rights and, potentially, those of their parents, grandparents, or children from outside the relationship are generally lost on divorce, though the Agency assesses each case individually.
How ACC Immigration Can Help
Navigating the MPRP involves coordinating documentation, timelines, and due diligence across multiple parties. As a licensed agent (RES-ACCA), we manage that process for you end to end:
- Eligibility review: We assess your likelihood of success upfront, based on your wealth profile, family composition, and nationality, before you commit any time or fees
- Application preparation: We prepare the full application pack and supporting documentation to the standard the Agency expects.
- Source of wealth review: We review your financial documentation in advance to identify and resolve any gaps before submission, reducing the risk of delays during due diligence
- Certification support: We assist with certifying documents and verifying identity through the Agency’s approved digital process
- Submission: We submit your application through Residency Malta Agency’s official channels and manage the relationship with the Agency on your behalf
- Follow-up: We track your application’s progress and respond promptly to any Agency queries as they arise
- Biometrics support: We accompany you and your family to your biometric data appointment in Malta
- Card delivery: Once issued, we will collect your residence card and send it to you
- Annual compliance: We handle your compliance declarations for the first five years so your status stays in good standing without you needing to track deadlines yourself
