The first vividly apparent benefit of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is the right to permanent residency within Malta which is granted within approximately six months. Once the compliance time has been satisfied and the application has been fully approved, applicants are also given a residence card, and the successful applicants have the freedom to remain indefinitely in Malta. Given the permanent residency status, successful applicants can apply for long-term residency option and eventually for Maltese Citizenship after 5 years of physical residency.

Another unmistakable benefit of the Malta Residency Programme is the obtainment of visa-free travel within the Schengen area, since Malta has formed part of the EU since 2004. Applicants have the right to travel in the 29 countries forming part of the Schengen Area and stay for 90 out of a 180 day period. 

All these rights are granted to both the main applicant as well as any family members included in the application as dependents.

In addition to this fast-tracked process of obtaining Maltese residency, there are also no minimum residency requirements which need to be met by applicants.

In order to qualify for the Malta Residency Programme, the main applicant must be at least 18 years of age, and must satisfy all investment requirements.

Applicants undergo due diligence procedures of the strictest nature so the government of Malta can ascertain their reputation. Applicants must demonstrate a clean criminal record, verified with the International Criminal Court, INTERPOL and other authorities.

Applicants must also be in good health and cannot in any way be considered as a threat to national security. The applicant must also not have been denied a visa to a country with which Malta has visa-free travel arrangements. Certain nationalities – namely individuals coming from Russia, Belarus, Afghanistan, Iran, N Korea, Congo, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen are not allowed to apply under the Malta Residency Programme.

The main applicant must also demonstrate that he he/she has assets of €500,000 – out of which a minimum of €150,000 must be in the form of liquid assets. 

Eligible dependents include the spouse or partner in a long and durable relationship,  unmarried and financially dependent children (no age limits), parents and grandparents, under certain conditions.

The applicant is required to pay a non-refundable government fee of €68,000 if opting for the property purchase option or €98,000 if opting for the property rental option.

Applicants must also make a €2,000 donation to a local registered cultural, charity, sport or philanthropic organisation. 

Lastly, property must be purchased at a minimum value of €300,000 (Gozo/South of Malta) or €350,000 in other parts of Malta. Alternatively the applicant may rent a property for a minimum annual rent of €10,000 per annum (Gozo/South of Malta) or €12,000 per annum in other parts of Malta. The qualifying property must be held for at least five years from the date of issuance of the Residency Certificate.