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What Is the Malta Golden Visa?
The Malta Golden Visa Programme, officially known as the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), allows eligible third-country nationals and their families to obtain permanent residence in Malta through a qualifying investment. The Malta Golden Visa is regulated under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations (Legal Notice 121 of 2021) and is designed for non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals seeking the right to reside, settle and stay in Malta indefinitely.
The Malta Golden Visa was introduced to replace the earlier Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP). On 29 March 2021, the MRVP was formally replaced by the current MPRP under Legal Notice 121of 2021, introducing a more structured and comprehensive residency-by-investment framework. The programme is administered by the Residency Malta Agency, a government body responsible for processing applications and issuing residence certificates under the Malta Golden Visa scheme.
The Malta Golden Visa confers permanent residence status, not citizenship. It provides the holder with the right to live in Malta on a permanent basis and to travel freely within the Schengen Area, making it one of the most sought-after residence-by-investment programmes in the European Union.
Malta Golden Visa - Programme Overview
Eligibility for the Malta Golden Visa
To qualify for the Malta Golden Visa, applicants must satisfy both personal eligibility criteria and financial investment thresholds. All applicants and their dependants are subject to thorough background checks as part of the Malta Golden Visa application process.
Personal Eligibility Requirements
The following baseline requirements must be met by all Malta Golden Visa applicants:
• Must be an adult aged 18 or over
• Must be a third-country national — not an EU, EEA or Swiss national
• Must hold no criminal record and must not be subject to any ongoing criminal investigation
• Must pass a rigorous four-tier due diligence and background check process
• Must be able to financially support themselves and their dependants without recourse to Malta’s social assistance system
• Must hold a valid sickness and health insurance policy covering all risks normally covered for Maltese nationals
Eligible Dependants Under the Malta Golden Visa
One of the key advantages of the Malta Golden Visa is the ability to include an entire family unit under a single application. The following dependants may be included:
• Spouse of the main applicant or lifetime partner
• Dependent minor children of the main applicant or spouse
• Unmarried and financially dependent adult children up to the age of 28
• Disabled adult children, regardless of age
• Financially dependent parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse
Children who obtain Malta permanent residence under the Malta Golden Visa alongside the main applicant will not lose their residency status if they subsequently get married or take up employment. Furthermore, children who obtained Malta PR under the Malta Golden Visa may later obtain PR status for their own future spouse and children.
Typical Documents Required
Applicants for the Malta Golden Visa are generally required to provide the following documentation:
• Passport copies for all applicants and dependants
• Civil status certificates (birth, marriage certificates, etc.)
• Police clearance certificates from all countries of citizenship and also where they have resided for more than 6 months in the last ten years.
• Proof of residential address
• Bank statements and proof of financial resources
• Source of funds and source of wealth documentation
• Valid health insurance policy documentation
Malta Golden Visa Investment Requirements
To obtain the Malta Golden Visa, applicants must fulfil a set of financial investment requirements. These include a property investment (either purchase or rental), a government contribution, an administrative fee and a donation to a registered local non-governmental organisation. The investment is only required after the application has been approved — applicants are not required to commit funds during the application stage.
Financial Asset Thresholds
In addition to the direct investment requirements, Malta Golden Visa applicants must demonstrate that they hold sufficient capital assets. Applicants must satisfy one of the following two options:
• Option A: Capital assets of at least €500,000, of which a minimum of €150,000 must be held in financial assets such as cash deposits, equities or bonds
• Option B: Capital assets of at least €650,000, of which a minimum of €75,000 must be held in financial assets
These thresholds are intended to confirm that Malta Golden Visa holders and their families are financially self-sufficient and will not place a burden on Malta’s public resources.
Route A — Malta Golden Visa via Property Rental
Under the rental route, the Malta Golden Visa applicant must:
• Rent a qualifying residential property in Malta or Gozo at a minimum annual cost of €14,000 for at least five years (total minimum rental commitment: €70,000)
• Pay a non-refundable administrative fee of €60,000
• Make a government contribution of €37,000 for the main applicant, plus €7,500 for each adult dependant who is not the spouse
• Make a €2,000 donation to a qualifying local NGO or voluntary organisation registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations
After the initial five-year rental period, Malta Golden Visa holders under the rental route have the option to continue renting or to purchase a property at a lower threshold than the original programme requirement.
3.3 Route B — Malta Golden Visa via Property Purchase
Under the purchase route, the Malta Golden Visa applicant must:
• Purchase a qualifying residential property in Malta or Gozo with a minimum value of €375,000
• Pay a non-refundable administrative fee of €60,000
• Make a government contributionof €37,000 for the main applicant, plus €7,500 for each adult dependant who is not the spouse
• Make a €2,000 donation to a qualifying local NGO or voluntary organisation registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations
Property acquired under the Malta Golden Visa purchase route may be rented out, allowing applicants to generate rental income from their qualifying investment property.
Malta Golden Visa Investment Summary
The tables below set out the full cost breakdown for each route. Both routes share the same administrative fee, government contribution, NGO donation and capital asset requirements.
Route A - Rental Option
Route B - Purchase Option
Malta Golden Visa — Residence Card and Renewal
Upon successful approval of the Malta Golden Visa application, holders are issued with a Malta residence card. The residence card is initially valid for a period of five years.
After the initial five-year period, Malta Golden Visa holders are required to renew their residence cards. Importantly, all beneficiaries including dependants are required to be physically present in Malta at the time of renewal, as biometric data must be recaptured before new cards can be issued.
Key Benefits of the Malta Golden Visa
The Malta Golden Visa offers a broad range of benefits for the main applicant and their entire family. Below is a comprehensive overview of the main advantages of obtaining permanent residence in Malta through the MPRP.
• Permanent residence for life —the Malta Golden Visa grants permanent residency status to the main applicant and all qualifying family members
• Entire family covered under one application — spouse, children, adult dependent children, parents and grandparents can all be included
• Addition of unmarried and financially dependent children up to the age of 28
• Addition of financially dependent parents and grandparents of both the main applicant and the spouse
• Children who obtain Malta permanent residence under the Malta Golden Visa do not lose their PR status upon marriage or commencement of employment
• Children who obtained Malta PR under the Malta Golden Visa can subsequently obtain PR for their own future spouse and children
• Permanent residence is effective immediately upon approval — no waiting period
• Possibility to apply for a temporary residence permit alongside the permanent one
• Property bought or leased under the Malta Golden Visa programme may be rented out
• Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
• No minimum physical stayrequirement in Malta — no obligation to reside in Malta for a minimum number of days per year
• No language test required as part of the Malta Golden Visa application
• Investment is only required after approval — no upfront financial commitment during the application stage
• No restrictions on dualcitizenship — Malta Golden Visa holders may retain their existing nationality
Malta Golden Visa and Schengen Area Travel
One of the most significant advantages of the Malta Golden Visa is the Schengen travel benefit it confers. The Schengen Area comprises 29 European states that have officially abolished internal passport controls and border procedures, effectively functioning as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes with a shared visa policy.
Being granted a Malta Golden Visa means that the main applicant and all included dependants whether dependent children or otherwise will be entitled to live in Malta and travel freely within the Schengen Area without the need to apply for a separate visa. Malta Golden Visa holders can travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-dayperiod.
This makes the Malta Golden Visa particularly attractive for international investors, business people and families who require regular and unrestricted access to continental Europe for business or personal purposes.
Why Choose Andersen Malta for Your Malta Golden Visa Application?
Navigating the Malta Golden Visa process requires specialist expertise in Maltese immigration law, tax regulation and property advice. Andersen Malta offers clients a fully integrated service, guiding applicants through every stage of the Malta Golden Visa process from initial eligibility assessment through to the issuance of the Malta residence card.
The firm takes responsibility for conducting the initial due diligence review, compiling the full application dossier, liaising with the Residency Malta Agency via our licenced agent throughout the process and advising on all investment structuring decisions required under the programme.
Beyond the Malta Golden Visa application itself, Andersen Malta provides complementary services that are particularly relevant to new Malta residents, including Maltese tax planning and optimisation, property acquisition advisory for those seeking a qualifying property under the MPRP, and ongoing regulatory and compliance support throughout the residency period. For high-net-worth clients, the firm also offers family office and wealth structuring services tailored to the Maltese and wider EU regulatory environment.
Whether the objective is lifestyle, security, tax efficiency, estate planning or Schengen access, Andersen Malta provides the expertise, regulatory standing and personalised service required to make the Malta Golden Visa journey as straightforward and efficient as possible.
