In short
US citizens can visit Malta visa-free for 90 days in any 180 (Schengen) but cannot work. To live there, remote workers use the Nomad Residence Permit (at least €42,000 a year gross, €300 fee, up to 4 years). Investors can get permanent residence through the MPRP — about €99,000 in fees and contributions plus a €375,000 property or €14,000 a year in rent. People with foreign income or pensions use the Global Residence Programme or the Malta Retirement Programme, both replaced from 1 January 2027 by a costlier Individual Tax Programme (applications filed by 31 December 2026 keep the old rules until 2031). Employees need the EU Blue Card (about €38,628 in 2026) or a single permit. Citizenship by investment closed in July 2025. English is an official language, and residents ride buses free.
Moving to Malta: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visits | US citizens can stay visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, without working# Source: US State Dept: Malta country info |
|---|---|
| Nomad Residence Permit | Remote work for a foreign employer, company or clients; at least €42,000 a year gross income; €300 fee; 1 year, renewable up to 4 years in total# Source: Residency Malta: Nomad eligibility · Residency Malta: Nomad FAQs v14.1 |
| Nomad tax | Nomad income is tax-free in Malta for the first 12 months, then taxed at a flat 10%# Source: Deloitte Malta tax alert |
| Permanent residence by investment (MPRP) | €60,000 admin fee, €37,000 contribution, €2,000 donation, plus a €375,000 property purchase or €14,000/year rent for 5 years; assets of €500,000 (€650,000 with fewer financial assets)# Source: BDO Malta: MPRP amendments · KPMG Malta (licensed agent): MPRP · Dixcart: MPRP key facts |
| Citizenship by investment | Closed: Malta removed the investment route in July 2025 after the EU Court of Justice ruling C-181/23 (29 April 2025)# Source: Komunità Malta press release 23 Jul 2025 |
| Global Residence Programme | Non-EU nationals; 15% tax on foreign income remitted to Malta, minimum €15,000 a year; buy from €275,000 (€220,000 South/Gozo) or rent from €9,600 a year (€8,750); €6,000 fee (€5,500)# Source: PwC Malta: Global Residence Programme |
| 2027 reform | From 1 January 2027 a new Individual Tax Programme replaces the GRP and the Retirement Programme: minimum tax €35,000 (€15,000 for pensioners), property €700,000 or €14,000 a year rent, €8,500 fee; applications filed by 31 December 2026 keep the old rules until 2031# Source: CC Malta: Malta launches the Individual Tax Programme (2027) · CSB Group: Malta tax residence programmes from 2027 |
| EU Blue Card | Salary of 1.5 × the average gross salary — about €38,628 a year in 2026; valid up to 2 years or the contract plus 3 months# Source: Identità: highly qualified and Key Employee Initiative FAQs · GVZH: Malta immigration for skilled workers |
| Citizenship | By naturalisation after 1 year of continuous residence plus 4 years in the preceding 6, at the minister's discretion; dual citizenship allowed# Source: Maltese Citizenship Act Cap.188 |
| Non-domiciled residents | Foreign income is taxed only if brought to Malta; a €5,000 minimum tax applies if foreign income is €35,000 or more# Source: PwC Tax Summaries: Malta — individual taxes |
| US tax treaty | The US–Malta income tax treaty has applied since 1 January 2011; the saving clause keeps US taxation of citizens# Source: IRS: Malta tax treaty documents |
| US Social Security agreement | None — the US has no totalization agreement with Malta# Source: SSA: International agreements |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Malta's residence routes are the same for all non-EU citizens, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits follow the same rules as Americans. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| EU citizens | EU, EEA and Swiss citizens simply register their residence; for the special tax status they use the Residence Programme (TRP) instead of the GRP. |
|---|---|
| Short stays | US citizens can stay visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, without working. |
| Home-country tax | US citizens remain taxable in the US on worldwide income, so Malta's "non-dom" and flat-tax benefits do not remove US tax. Most other nationals who move are taxed only where they live. |
| Pensions | There is no US–Malta Social Security agreement, so US and Maltese contributions cannot be combined. Other countries' agreements with Malta differ — check yours. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them. Documents in English need no translation.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Country Overview
Malta at a Glance
Key facts Americans need before deciding.
English + Maltese
Both are official; English is used in government, business, courts and schools.
Euro (€)
EU member since 2004, Schengen since December 2007, euro since 2008.
Seasonal nonstop
Delta flies New York–Malta three times a week from June to October (since 2026); otherwise connect in a European hub.
Public + private
Free public care if you pay Maltese social security; most residence routes require private insurance.
588,254
End of 2025, of whom 31.1% are foreign nationals.
0–35%
Top rate above €60,000. Non-doms are taxed on foreign income only when it is brought to Malta.
Mediterranean
Hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters; around 12 hours of sunshine a day in summer.
Pathways to Residency
Which Visa Route is Right for You?
US citizens can visit visa-free for 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. For a longer stay you need a Maltese residence permit; most routes are handled by Residency Malta or Identità.
Nomad Residence Permit
For people who work remotely for a foreign employer, their own foreign company or foreign clients. You need at least €42,000 a year gross, health insurance and housing. The permit lasts 1 year and can be renewed up to 4 years in total; income is tax-free for 12 months, then taxed at 10%.
- Min. income
- €42,000/year gross
- Fee
- €300
Permanent Residence (MPRP)
Permanent residence from day one for non-EU investors with assets of €500,000 (or €650,000 with fewer financial assets). You pay a €60,000 admin fee, a €37,000 contribution and a €2,000 donation, and buy a €375,000 property or rent for €14,000 a year for at least 5 years. Applications go through a licensed agent.
- Fees + contribution
- About €99,000
- Processing
- About 4–15 months
Global Residence Programme (GRP)
For non-EU nationals with foreign income. Income you bring to Malta is taxed at 15%, with a €15,000 minimum a year; you buy from €275,000 or rent from €9,600 a year (less in the South and Gozo). It gives a tax status and a residence permit, not permanent residence. From 2027 the minimum tax becomes €35,000.
- Min. tax
- €15,000 (€35,000 from 2027)
- Apply by
- 31 Dec 2026 for the old rules
Malta Retirement Programme
For pensioners whose pension is at least 75% of their taxable income. Pension income brought to Malta is taxed at 15%, minimum €7,500 a year; you must spend at least 90 days a year in Malta. Replaced from 2027 by a pensioner status with a €15,000 minimum tax.
- Min. tax
- €7,500 (€15,000 from 2027)
EU Blue Card or Single Permit
The Blue Card needs a qualified job paying 1.5 times the average salary — about €38,628 a year in 2026. Other jobs use the single permit, after the employer advertises the vacancy for 3 weeks. Jobs paying €45,000+ can use the 5-day Key Employee Initiative.
- Blue Card salary
- About €38,628
- Fast track
- €45,000+ salary
Long-Term Residence & Citizenship
EU long-term residence after 5 years. Citizenship by naturalisation needs 1 year of continuous residence plus 4 of the previous 6 years and is discretionary; dual citizenship is allowed. Citizenship by investment closed in July 2025.
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Investment citizenship
- Closed
Important Change
The 2027 Reform of Malta's Tax Programmes
A new Individual Tax Programme replaces the Global Residence Programme, the Residence Programme for EU citizens and the Malta Retirement Programme. The minimum tax rises to €35,000 a year (€15,000 for pensioners), property must cost at least €700,000 or €14,000 a year in rent, and the fee rises to €8,500. Applications filed by 31 December 2026 stay under the current rules until 31 December 2031.Source: CC Malta
Cost of Living
What Does Life in Malta Actually Cost?
Malta is no longer a cheap option — rents in the harbour towns rival Lisbon and Berlin. Gozo and the south are noticeably cheaper.
| Item | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, Valletta centre | about €1,263 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Sliema centre | about €1,564 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Gozo centre | about €813 |
| Everyday costs without rent (single person, Valletta) | about €880 |
| Utilities (85 m² apartment) + internet, Valletta | about €165 |
| Buses and Valletta ferries (residents with a tallinja card) | Free |
Estimates from Numbeo (Valletta June 2026, Sliema September 2026, Gozo July 2026). Source: Numbeo: Valletta · Numbeo: Sliema
A single person spends about €2,100–2,500 a month including rent in Valletta or Sliema, and less in Gozo or the south. Remember that the Nomad permit needs €42,000 a year gross and most routes require private health insurance.
Why Malta
What Americans Love About Malta
Beyond the visa — the real reasons expats choose Malta.
English Everywhere
English is an official language, so paperwork, schools, courts and daily life work in English.
Sun and Sea
A Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers, mild winters and the sea a few minutes away almost everywhere.
Free Buses
Residents with a personalised tallinja card have ridden buses free since October 2022 — including Gozo routes and the Valletta ferries.
Remote-Work Friendly
The Nomad permit lets you live in an EU country while working for US clients or employers, with a 12-month tax holiday on that income.
International Community
Almost a third of residents are foreign nationals, with American-style and IB international schools.
EU and Schengen
Euro, EU membership and Schengen travel — with short flights to Italy and the rest of Europe.
Where to Live
Life in Malta's Towns
Malta is small — most expats choose between the capital, the harbour towns and Gozo.
Valletta
The fortified UNESCO capital — compact, historic and quiet at night. See our Living in Valletta guide.
Sliema and St Julian's
The busiest expat area, with seafront apartments, cafés, offices and nightlife — and Malta's highest rents.
Gzira, Msida and Swieqi
Close to Sliema and the university, a little cheaper and popular with young professionals.
The Three Cities and the south
Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua across the Grand Harbour, and the quieter south, offer character and lower prices.
Gozo
Malta's rural sister island, a 25-minute ferry away — the cheapest rents and a slower pace.
How It Works
From Decision to Your Malta Residence Permit
We guide you through every step — from first consultation to settled life in Malta.
Free consultation
We assess your situation and confirm the right route — Nomad, MPRP, GRP or retirement, or a work permit.
Prepare your documents
Collect apostilled US documents, a clean criminal record, proof of income and health insurance.
Apply
Nomad applications go to Residency Malta; MPRP and GRP applications go through a licensed or authorised agent; work permits are filed with Identità.
Secure housing
Sign a lease or buy a property that meets your programme's minimum.
Collect your residence card
Give your biometrics at Identità and collect your residence card; register for tax and, if you work, social security.
Free Tools
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Frequently asked questions
What is Malta's Nomad Residence Permit?
A permit for people who work remotely for a foreign employer, their own foreign company or foreign clients. You need at least €42,000 a year gross (since April 2024), health insurance and housing; the fee is €300. It lasts 1 year and can be renewed up to 4 years in total.
Is Malta's golden visa still open in 2026?
Yes. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is open, with about €99,000 in fees and contributions plus a €375,000 property or €14,000 a year in rent. Citizenship by investment, however, closed in July 2025 after an EU Court of Justice ruling.
What are the tax benefits of living in Malta?
People who are resident but not domiciled are taxed on foreign income only when it is brought to Malta,; a €5,000 minimum tax applies if foreign income is €35,000 or more. There is no inheritance or wealth tax. US citizens still owe US tax on worldwide income.
Is English an official language in Malta?
Yes. Maltese and English are both official languages, and English is used in government, business and education.
Does Malta allow dual citizenship?
Yes, since 2000. Naturalisation needs 1 year of continuous residence plus 4 years in the previous 6 and is at the minister's discretion.
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