Invest in Malta
Sign up for a free expert consultation
Don't know what to do ?
Get Free Counseling
Opportunities In Malta
Last Updated: 11 September 2026
Malta Permanent Residence by Investment from the UAE
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), also known as the Malta Golden Visa, offers non-EU nationals a direct route to permanent residence in Malta through investment. Applicants can meet the property requirement by purchasing a property for €375,000 or renting for €14,000 per year. The programme also provides visa-free travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, family inclusion for up to four generations, and no minimum stay requirement. Permanent residents can continue living and working in the UAE while holding permanent residence in Malta.
*Planning to invest in Malta permanent residence? Book a free consultation with Y-Axis today.
Why Invest in Malta for Permanent Residency?
- No need to relocate: Enjoy Malta residence while continuing to live and work in the UAE.
- Property-backed investment: Hold a tangible property asset alongside the required programme fees.
- Low entry point: Access Malta residency through rental from €14,000 per year.
- Permanent residence: Secure permanent status upon approval without relying on renewable temporary permits.
- Long-term family security: Extend permanent residence to your family across generations.
- EU and Eurozone benefits: Enjoy Malta’s position within the EU and Eurozone.
What is Malta Permanent Residence by Investment?
Malta Permanent Residence by Investment is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), which allows non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals to obtain permanent residence in Malta through investment. Commonly known as the Malta Golden Visa, the programme provides a Malta residence card and allows family members to be included in the same application.
The Residency Malta Agency (RMA) manages the programme, conducts due diligence and reviews applications. All applications must be submitted through a licensed agent.
*Looking for Malta PR by investment? Book a free consultation with Y-Axis today.
Malta Golden Visa at a Glance
| Factor | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), also known as the Malta Golden Visa |
| Investment Routes | Property purchase from €375,000 or rental from €14,000 per year |
| Financial Requirement | €500,000 total assets (€150,000 financial assets) or €650,000 total assets (€75,000 financial assets) |
| Government, Administrative & Charity Costs | €99,000 for the main applicant |
| Family Inclusion | Up to four generations in one application |
| Schengen Access | Visa-free travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum stay required |
| Processing Time | Approximately 12–13 months for permanent residence |
Benefits of Malta Permanent Residency by Investment
- No minimum stay: Maintain MPRP status without living in Malta.
- Property income: Lease a purchased property in a Special Designated Area or sublet a rental property after 5 years.
- Lifetime PR status: Renew your residence card every 5 years while retaining permanent residence.
- Tax flexibility: Malta tax residence generally applies after 183+ days of stay or by election.
- Live and work in Malta: Reside permanently, with a separate work permit for employment.
- Family inclusion: Include your spouse, children, parents and grandparents in one application.
- Schengen travel: Travel visa-free across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Malta Residency by Investment: Property Purchase or Rental
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) offers two property routes: purchase a qualifying property for at least €375,000 or rent one for at least €14,000 per year. The qualifying property must be retained for at least five years. After five years, applicants must continue to maintain a residential property in Malta to retain their residence status.
Buy a Property
- Minimum property value: €375,000
- Property must be maintained for at least 5 years
- Purchased property can be leased in Special Designated Areas
Rent a Property
- Minimum annual rent: €14,000
- Rental agreement must be maintained for at least 5 years.
- The rented property can be sub-leased after 5 years
Malta Residency by Investment Requirements
Malta Permanent Residence by Investment requires applicants to meet age, nationality, financial, property and health insurance requirements and pass the Residency Malta Agency’s due diligence checks.
Age & Personal Requirements
- Main applicant must be at least 18 years old
- Valid passport and required identity documents
- Clean criminal record
Nationality
- Open to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals
- Nationality must not be on Malta’s excluded list
Financial Requirement
Applicants must meet one of these asset thresholds:
- €500,000 total assets, including at least €150,000 in financial assets, or
- €650,000 total assets, including at least €75,000 in financial assets
Property Requirement
- Purchase a qualifying property for at least €375,000, or rent one for at least €14,000 per year
- Maintain the qualifying property for at least 5 years
Health Insurance
- Valid health insurance covering Malta and the Schengen Area
- Required for the main applicant and dependants
Due Diligence
The Residency Malta Agency conducts checks covering:
- Source of wealth
- Source of funds
- Criminal and legal history
- Financial background
Malta Golden Visa Excluded Nationalities
Malta Permanent Residence by Investment currently excludes nationals of 12 countries. Applicants holding nationality from any of these countries cannot invest in or apply for the programme. The list is set by the Residency Malta Agency and may be revised from time to time.
| Russia | D.R. of Congo |
| Somalia | Venezuela |
| Belarus | Iran |
| Sudan | Yemen |
| Afghanistan | North Korea |
| South Sudan | Syria |
Documents Required for Malta Permanent Residency
A Malta Permanent Residence by Investment (MPRP) application requires personal, financial, property and supporting documents. A licensed agent checks the documents, prepares the application and submits it to the Residency Malta Agency (RMA).
Personal Documents
- Valid passport, including all pages, for the main applicant and dependants
- Certified birth certificates for all applicants
- Marriage certificate, where applicable
- Police conduct certificates from the country of origin and countries of residence, as required by the RMA
Financial Documents
- Proof of source of wealth, such as bank statements, salary records, investment portfolios and property valuations
- Proof of financial assets meeting the applicable €150,000 or €75,000 threshold
Property Documents
- Purchase contract or rental agreement for the qualifying property in Malta
Other Documents
- Health insurance covering Malta and the Schengen Area
- Power of Attorney authorising the licensed agent to act on the application
- Completed KYC forms required by the RMA
- Completed MPRP application forms
Note: Documents not in English must be translated into English.
How to Apply for Malta Residency by Investment from the UAE?
Applying for Malta Permanent Residence by Investment (MPRP) from the UAE involves choosing a licensed agent, preparing documents, completing due diligence, receiving Approval in Principle, meeting the property requirement and completing biometrics in Malta.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Confirm nationality, financial capacity, health insurance and other MPRP requirements.
Step 2: Choose a Licensed Agent
Sign the engagement letter and provide the information required for the application.
Step 3: Prepare Documents
Gather the passport, Power of Attorney, KYC forms, source-of-wealth documents and other required documents.
Step 4: Submit the Application
The licensed agent submits the application and supporting documents to the Residency Malta Agency (RMA) for review and due diligence.
Step 5: Receive Approval in Principle
After receiving AIP, complete the required government and charity payments.
Step 6: Complete the Property Requirement and Biometrics
Purchase a qualifying property or sign a qualifying rental agreement, then travel to Malta for the biometrics appointment.
Step 7: Receive the Malta Residence Card
After final approval, the Malta permanent residence card is issued.
*Want to invest in Malta MPRP from the UAE? Book a Free Consultation with Y-Axis Today.
Cost of Malta Residency by Investment from the UAE
Malta Permanent Residence by Investment requires €99,000 in government, administrative and charity payments for the main applicant, plus either a property purchase from €375,000 or rental from €14,000 per year.
| Category | Amount (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Administrative fee on submission | €15,000 |
| Administrative fee after Approval in Principle | €45,000 |
| Government contribution | €37,000 |
| Charity donation | €2,000 |
| Total Government, Administrative & Charity Costs | €99,000 |
| Property purchase (Option A) | €375,000 |
| Property rental (Option B) | €14,000 per year |
| Residence card (per person) | €500 |
| Optional Temporary 1-Year Residence Card (per person) | €1,500 |
| Each additional adult dependant | €7,500 |
The €15,000 submission fee is non-refundable. The additional dependant fee does not apply to the spouse.
For a family of four with two adults and two minor children, government, administrative and charity payments total €99,000, plus €2,000 for four residence cards.
| Route | Total Cost for Family of Four |
|---|---|
| Purchase route | €476,000 |
| Rental route (Year 1) | €115,000 |
*Planning your Malta MPRP investment? Book a Free Consultation with Y-Axis to get started.
Malta Residency by Investment Processing Time
The Malta Permanent Residence by Investment process takes around 12 to 13 months from appointing a licensed agent to receiving the permanent residence card. The timeline includes document preparation, application submission, RMA due diligence, Approval in Principle, property and payment completion, biometrics and final approval.
Applicants seeking to live in Malta while their MPRP application is processed can apply for an optional Temporary 1-Year Residence Card after submission.
| Application Stage | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Engage a licensed agent | Week 1 |
| Document preparation and application filing | Months 1–3 |
| RMA due diligence | Months 4–8 |
| Approval in Principle (AIP) | Month 8 |
| Property and payment completion | Months 8–10 |
| Biometrics in Malta | Month 10.5 |
| Permanent residence card issued | Months 11.5–13 |
Malta Golden Visa vs UAE Golden Visa
The Malta Golden Visa and UAE Golden Visa differ in residence status, investment cost, family benefits and travel access. Malta offers permanent residence with Schengen travel, while the UAE Golden Visa provides renewable long-term residence in the UAE.
| Factor | Malta Golden Visa | UAE Golden Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Residence Type | Permanent residence in Malta | Long-term residence in the UAE |
| Schengen Travel | Visa-free travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period | Schengen visa requirements apply |
| Investment Requirement | Property purchase from €375,000 or rental from €14,000 per year | Varies by category, including property, business and talent |
| Family Inclusion | Up to 4 generations — spouse, children, parents and grandparents | Family sponsorship based on visa category |
| Validity | Permanent residence and residence card can be renewed every 5 years | 5 or 10 years, depending on category |
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Malta Residency by Investment
- Incomplete documents: Missing documents can delay processing.
- Unclear source of wealth: Insufficient financial evidence can trigger further checks.
- Non-qualifying property: The property must meet MPRP requirements.
- Incomplete information: Missing personal or financial details can delay due diligence.
- Assuming rental income: Rental income depends on location, demand and local regulations.
- Overlooking the five-year commitment: The qualifying property must be maintained for at least five years.
How Can Y-Axis Help With Malta Residency by Investment?
Y-Axis is a global immigration and residency consultancy with 25+ years of experience and over 1 million clients served worldwide. Our team provides end-to-end support for Malta Permanent Residence by Investment, covering eligibility, documentation, property requirements and application coordination.
- Free Eligibility Assessment: Review your profile against MPRP requirements.
- Property Guidance: Understand qualifying property options and leasing restrictions.
- Document Support: Prepare Power of Attorney, KYC and source-of-wealth documents.
- Application Support: Prepare and submit the MPRP application through a licensed agent.
- RMA Coordination: Manage application queries and document requests during processing.
- Biometrics & Residence Card: Coordinate the Malta biometrics process and residence card formalities.
- UAE Document Support: Assist with certification requirements for UAE-issued documents.
*Planning to invest in Malta through MPRP? Book a Free Consultation with Y-Axis for end-to-end investment support.
Looking for Inspiration
Explore what Global Citizens have to say about Y-Axis in shaping their future
Frequently Asked Questions
