Getting residence in Malta
Malta combines EU access, nomad permits, residence programmes and investor routes. Temporary and permanent process detail.
The essentials · reside · July 2026
For comparing a residence title: timeline, cost, limits.
1–2 months
EU citizen: registration
$50–$300
2–4 months
Nomad Residence Permit
$300–$1,500
6–12 months
Malta Permanent Residence Programme
$150,000–$400,000
12–24 months
Citizenship by investment (IIP, closed)
$600,000–$1,200,000
The routes
- EU citizen: registration — Registration certificate
- Nomad Residence Permit — 1-year renewable permit
- Malta Permanent Residence Programme — Permanent residence (not citizenship)
- Citizenship by investment (IIP, closed) — Maltese (EU) passport. Not available via legacy IIP for new applicants
Who it fits
- EU citizen: registration — EU citizen with job or means
- Nomad Residence Permit — Remote for employer/clients outside Malta, minimum income
- Malta Permanent Residence Programme — Minimum investment/lease + government contributions (high thresholds)
- Citizenship by investment (IIP, closed) — Historical: major contributions + investment; individual programme closed to new files
The limits
- Citizenship by investment (IIP, closed) — Clear split: MPRP = permanent residence; legacy citizenship IIP is closed. Verify any “Malta passport” offer with Residency Malta Agency.
Paths by category
Indicative thresholds, timelines and fees. Verify with official sources and local counsel.
EU free movement
EU citizen: registration
Process steps
- Housing
- Proof of means
- Identity Malta / expatriates unit
- Card
Sources: identitymalta.com
Nomad / remote
Nomad Residence Permit
Process steps
- Remote income proof
- Insurance
- File Residency Malta Agency
- Card
Sources: residencymalta.gov.mt
Residence by investment
Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Process steps
- Licensed agent
- Due diligence
- Investment/lease
- Approval
- Family cards
Sources: residencymalta.gov.mt
Citizenship by investment
Citizenship by investment (IIP, closed)
Clear split: MPRP = permanent residence; legacy citizenship IIP is closed. Verify any “Malta passport” offer with Residency Malta Agency.
Historical orders of magnitude. Do not plan on a closed programme.
Process steps
- Verify programmes still open (MPRP ≠ citizenship)
- Due diligence via licensed agent only
- Do not confuse permanent residence and passport
Sources: residencymalta.gov.mt
How to read the paths
Each card combines a category (how you qualify), an outcome (what you get) and duration (renewable title or permanent). RBI ≠ CBI: the first grants residence, the second a passport.
- EU free movement : EU/EEA citizens register their stay. A consular visa is a different route.
- Work / employment : Status tied to a local employer or qualifying contract.
- Entrepreneur / company : Activity or company setup: the visa follows the project. A passport is a different outcome.
- Passive income / retirement : Stable income (pension, dividends, rent) without local employment.
- Nomad / remote : Remote work for an employer or clients outside the country.
- Residence by investment : Investment or financial threshold leads to residence. A passport is a different outcome.
- Citizenship by investment : Investment or contribution → passport (programmes often restricted).
- Naturalisation / long stay : After years of legal stay: PR, ILR, C permit, etc.
- Other : Visit, transit or routes outside the frames above.