In short
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is open in 2026. The main applicant needs assets of €500,000 (at least €150,000 in financial assets) or €650,000 (at least €75,000 financial), and pays a €60,000 administration fee, a €37,000 government contribution and a €2,000 donation to a Maltese NGO — about €99,000 in total. You must also buy a property for at least €375,000 or rent one for at least €14,000 a year, and keep it for 5 years. Spouse, dependent children, parents and grandparents can be included. Applications go only through a licensed agent and take about 4–15 months; a temporary 1-year permit is available meanwhile. There is no minimum stay. Malta's separate citizenship-by-investment route closed in July 2025.
Malta MPRP: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| 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 |
|---|---|
| MPRP minimum outlay | About €99,000 in fees and contributions for the main applicant, plus the property; applications only through a licensed agent# Source: BDO Malta: MPRP amendments · KPMG Malta (licensed agent): MPRP |
| 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 |
| Long-term residence | EU long-term resident status after 5 years of legal residence# Source: EUR-Lex Directive 2003/109/EC |
| 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 |
| Inheritance tax | No inheritance, gift or wealth tax; 5% stamp duty on inherited Maltese property# Source: PwC Tax Summaries: Malta — other taxes |
| Healthcare | Free public healthcare for people paying Maltese social security; permit holders on the Nomad, GRP, retirement and MPRP routes need private health insurance# Source: Malta EESSI healthcare info |
| 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 reporting | FBAR if foreign accounts exceed $10,000 at any time; Form 8938 from $200,000 at year-end ($300,000 at any time) for a single filer living abroad# Source: IRS: Form 8938 vs FBAR |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The MPRP is the same for every non-EU investor, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits apply exactly as described here. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| EU citizens | Not eligible — EU, EEA and Swiss citizens already have the right to live in Malta. |
|---|---|
| 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 stay taxable in the US on worldwide income and must report Maltese accounts (FBAR, FATCA); most other nationals are taxed only where they live. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
At a Glance
Why Investors Choose Malta's Permanent Residence Programme
The MPRP gives permanent residence to the whole family from approval, with no minimum stay, in an EU and Schengen country where English is official. The 2025 rules raised the fees and set one property threshold for the whole country. It is a residence programme, not a tax programme — your tax position depends on where you actually live.
Investment Structure
MPRP Costs in 2026: Fees, Contribution and Property
| Requirement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Assets | €500,000 with at least €150,000 financial assets, or €650,000 with at least €75,000 financial assets |
| Administration fee | €60,000 (€15,000 within 1 month of applying, €45,000 within 2 months of approval in principle) |
| Government contribution | €37,000 — the same whether you buy or rent |
| Donation | €2,000 to a registered Maltese NGO |
| Property | Buy for at least €375,000 or rent for at least €14,000 a year, anywhere in Malta, for at least 5 years |
| Adult dependants | €7,500 each — waived for a spouse, minor children and disabled adult children |
Rules in force since July 2025. Source: BDO Malta · KPMG Malta
The administration fee rose from €40,000 to €50,000 in January 2025 and to €60,000 in July 2025. The contribution became a flat €37,000, the separate per-dependant contribution was removed, and the property thresholds became €375,000 or €14,000 a year nationwide. Since 2025 a purchased property may also be let short-term.
Family
Who Can Be Included
Spouse or partner
Included without the dependant fee.
Children
Minor children, and adult children up to 28 if they are dependent and unmarried.
Parents and grandparents
Of either spouse, if they depend on the main applicant (€7,500 each).
How It Works
The MPRP Application Process
Choose a licensed agent
Only licensed agents can file MPRP applications with Residency Malta.
Apply and pay the first fee
Submit the application with apostilled documents and pay €15,000 within 1 month. You can get a temporary 1-year residence permit while the file is processed.
Due diligence
Background checks usually take about 3–7 months.
Approval in principle
Pay the remaining €45,000 within 2 months, then the contribution and donation.
Property and health insurance
Buy or rent the qualifying property and show health insurance and your assets.
Residence cards
Give biometrics and receive permanent residence cards for the family.
Before You Apply
What You Need to Know
No 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). MPRP holders can only apply through normal naturalisation.
Tax is separate
Permanent residence does not make you tax-resident. If you live in Malta, you are taxed as a resident; the GRP and retirement programmes are separate tax statuses.
Healthcare
Free public healthcare for people paying Maltese social security; permit holders on the Nomad, GRP, retirement and MPRP routes need private health insurance.
US tax still applies
US citizens report income and Maltese accounts every year. None — the US has no totalization agreement with Malta.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Malta's golden visa (MPRP) still open in 2026?
Yes. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is open under the rules in force since July 2025. Only the citizenship-by-investment route closed.
How much does the Malta MPRP cost in 2026?
About €99,000 for the main applicant (€60,000 admin fee, €37,000 contribution, €2,000 donation), plus a property bought for at least €375,000 or rented for at least €14,000 a year, plus agent and legal fees.
Do I have to live in Malta?
No. There is no minimum stay, but you must keep the qualifying property for at least 5 years.
Is Malta part of the Schengen area?
Yes, since December 2007, so the residence card lets you travel across Schengen for up to 90 days in any 180.
Does the MPRP lead to Maltese citizenship?
Not directly. Citizenship by investment closed in July 2025; MPRP holders can only apply for naturalisation, which is discretionary.
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