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Long-stay visas (Type D)

Maltese Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

The MPRP gives non-EU investors permanent Maltese residency and Schengen access through a mix of qualifying property, a government contribution, an administrative fee and a small charitable donation.

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Important information

Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Malta government website before you apply.
On this page
Property — purchase option
Buy from €375,000
Qualifying residential property purchase, held for a minimum of five years.
Property — rental option
Rent from €14,000 per year
Qualifying residential lease, maintained for a minimum of five years.
Government contribution
€37,000 (flat)
Single non-refundable contribution under Legal Notice 146 of 2025, the same whether you buy or rent (previously split €28,000 for buyers / €58,000 for renters).
Administrative fee
€60,000
€15,000 payable within one month of application; €45,000 within two months of the Letter of Approval in Principle.
Charitable donation
€2,000
To a registered Maltese philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sport or animal-welfare NGO.
Financial-means test
€500,000 in assets (min €150,000 financial)
Alternatively €650,000 in assets with a minimum of €75,000 in financial assets.
Additional dependant fee
€7,500 per additional adult dependant
Charged for certain additional dependants added to the application.
Status granted
Permanent residence (Schengen)
Permanent residency with Schengen travel — not citizenship.
Path to citizenship
Not via MPRP
Malta operates a separate citizenship route; the MPRP itself does not lead to a passport.

Who the MPRP is for

The MPRP suits financially secure non-EU nationals who want permanent EU residency with immediate Schengen travel, without a stay requirement. It is popular with UK, Middle Eastern and Asian applicants who value Malta's English-speaking, common-law-influenced environment and its status as a full Schengen member.

  • Non-EU (third-country) nationals who pass strict due diligence
  • Investors wanting permanent status and Schengen access from day one
  • Applicants who meet the €500,000/€650,000 net-worth test
  • Families — the programme can cover multiple generations in one application

The MPRP cost structure

The MPRP is a package of fixed elements rather than a single investment: a qualifying property (buy or rent), a flat government contribution, an administrative fee and a small charitable donation. Since Legal Notice 146 of 2025 the government contribution is the same €37,000 whichever property option you choose, so renting lowers your property outlay without raising the contribution.

  • Buy a €375,000+ home, or rent from €14,000/year (held 5 years), plus
  • €37,000 flat government contribution — the same for buying or renting
  • €60,000 administrative fee (€15,000 up front, €45,000 after approval in principle)
  • €2,000 NGO donation, plus per-dependant fees where applicable

The property requirement

Every MPRP applicant must hold a qualifying residential property in Malta or Gozo — either purchased at €375,000 or more, or leased at €14,000 a year or more — for a minimum of five years. After the five-year period the specific value/rent thresholds relax, but you must still maintain a Maltese residential address to keep and renew the residence card.

  • Buy from €375,000 or rent from €14,000/year
  • Property in Malta or Gozo, residential use
  • Must be held/maintained for five years
  • A Maltese residential address remains required thereafter

Application process and timeline

pay the first €15,000 of the administrative fee, and undergo

  • Engage a licensed MPRP agent (mandatory)
  • Submit the application and pay the €15,000 up-front fee
  • Pass multi-tier due diligence checks
  • On approval, complete property, contribution and donation, then receive cards

What the MPRP gives you

Permanent residency in Malta with the right to settle, plus visa-free travel across the Schengen Area (typically up to 90 days in any 180). The status can include up to four generations — the main applicant, spouse, children, and dependent parents and grandparents — in a single application, making it efficient for larger families.

  • Permanent Maltese (EU) residence
  • Schengen visa-free travel
  • Multi-generational family inclusion in one application
  • No minimum-stay obligation to retain the status

Costs, fees and taxes

Total government-side costs are fixed at about €99,000 — a €37,000 contribution, a €60,000 administrative fee and a €2,000 donation — the same whether you buy or rent, before the property itself and professional fees. Malta taxes residents on a remittance basis for many non-domiciled individuals, so foreign income not brought into Malta is often outside the Maltese tax net — a key attraction for internationally mobile investors.

  • €37,000 contribution + €60,000 admin fee + €2,000 donation
  • Property purchase or five-year lease costs on top
  • Licensed-agent and legal/professional fees
  • Remittance-basis taxation for many non-domiciled residents

Recent changes and restrictions

Malta has revised the MPRP fees more than once. Legal Notice 146 of 2025 replaced the old buy-versus-rent contribution split with a single flat €37,000 contribution and raised the administrative fee to €60,000. In the wider market, Spain abolished its golden visa (effective 3 April 2025) and Portugal removed its property route (October 2023), leaving Malta and Greece as the prominent property-linked options.

  • Legal Notice 146/2025: contribution now a flat €37,000 (buy/rent split removed)
  • €60,000 administrative fee; €2,000 donation unchanged
  • Figures set by Residency Malta Agency — confirm current schedule before applying
  • Comparative context: Spain abolished its scheme (2025); Portugal dropped property (2023)

Frequently asked questions

  • No. The MPRP grants residence based on investment; it is not a work permit. To work you would still need the relevant employment authorisation.

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-09-14. Information only — not legal advice.

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