Malta · Temporary Residence
Residence Options in Malta for Founders
Founders in Malta usually hold the three-year startup permit. Remote workers can use the one-year Nomad Residence Permit, and investors can apply to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, which grants permanent status from the start.
- Startup route
- Malta Startup Residence Programme
- Minimum capital
- EUR 25,000 investment or paid-up share capital
- Permanent residence
- 5 years; MPRP grants permanent residence directly
- Citizenship
- 5 years within 7, including the final 12 months
Residence permit under the Malta Startup Residence Programme
Approved founders, co-founders and core employees receive a residence permit for an initial three years. It can be renewed for a further five years if the startup is still operating and the holder continues to meet the eligibility conditions, such as health insurance, sufficient funds and a clean record. Beneficiaries are expected to live in Malta and pay tax there, so the permit supports a genuine relocation rather than occasional visits. Dependents stay covered as long as the insurance and funding requirements continue to be met for each family member included in the application.
- Initial term
- 3 years
- Extension
- A further 5 years if the startup continues
- Presence
- Live and pay tax in Malta
- Family
- Immediate family included as dependents
- Issued by
- Residency Malta Agency
Requirements
- The startup must still be operating when the extension is requested.
- Continued eligibility, including health insurance and sufficient own funds.
- Physical residence and tax residence in Malta.
- No criminal charges or security concerns arising during the permit term.
How to apply
- Keep the startup active and keep insurance and bank documents current.
- Apply to Residency Malta for the five-year extension before the initial three years end.
- Track years of legal and continuous residence toward long-term status.
Nomad Residence Permit
The Nomad Residence Permit lets third-country nationals live in Malta while keeping a job, business or clients based in another country and working remotely. Applicants need gross income of at least EUR 42,000 a year, health insurance covering the EU, including Malta, and the UK, and a rental or purchase agreement for housing in Malta. The permit is issued for one year and can be renewed three times, for a maximum stay of four years. Residency Malta's guidance states plainly that it does not lead to any form of permanent or long-term residence, or to citizenship.
- Income
- Gross EUR 42,000 a year (EUR 32,400 if filed before April 2024)
- Fees
- EUR 300 per applicant plus EUR 100 for the card
- Processing
- About 30 working days after receipt of funds
- Validity
- 1 year, renewable 3 times, up to 4 years
- Family
- Spouse, minor children and certain adult children
- Leads to
- No long-term residence or citizenship
Requirements
- Third-country national able to work remotely for an employer, business or clients based outside Malta.
- Gross income of at least EUR 42,000 a year.
- Health insurance covering risks in the EU, including Malta, and the UK.
- A valid rental or purchase agreement for accommodation in Malta.
How to apply
- Submit the application through the Residency Malta portal and pay the EUR 300 fee per applicant.
- Wait about 30 working days from the receipt of funds, plus any visa processing time.
- Give biometrics and collect the residence card, usually three to four weeks later.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
The MPRP grants permanent residence to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss investors who meet capital, property and contribution conditions after multi-tier due diligence. The main applicant pays a non-refundable administrative fee of EUR 60,000 and a government contribution of EUR 37,000, donates EUR 2,000 to a registered local NGO, and either buys property worth at least EUR 375,000 or rents one for at least EUR 14,000 a year. Applicants must hold capital of EUR 500,000, including EUR 150,000 in financial assets, or EUR 650,000, including EUR 75,000 in financial assets. The property must be held for at least five years.
- Admin fee
- EUR 60,000 (EUR 15,000 on filing, EUR 45,000 later)
- Contribution
- EUR 37,000, whether the property is bought or rented
- Property
- Buy from EUR 375,000 or rent from EUR 14,000 a year
- Capital
- EUR 500,000 (EUR 150,000 financial) or EUR 650,000
- Dependents
- EUR 7,500 per adult dependent other than the spouse
- Residence card
- EUR 500 per person, valid 5 years
Requirements
- Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss national with a clean criminal record.
- Capital of EUR 500,000 with EUR 150,000 in financial assets, or EUR 650,000 with EUR 75,000 in financial assets.
- Qualifying property bought for at least EUR 375,000 or rented for at least EUR 14,000 a year, kept for five years.
- Health insurance covering Malta and other European countries, and due diligence cleared for every person included.
How to apply
- Apply through a licensed agent and pay EUR 15,000 of the administrative fee within one month of filing.
- After the Letter of Approval in Principle, pay the remaining EUR 45,000 within two months.
- Within eight months of approval in principle, pay the EUR 37,000 contribution, secure the property and make the NGO donation.
- Receive the permanent residence certificate and residence cards, which cover five years.
Which Maltese permit fits which founder
The three routes answer different needs. The startup permit suits founders who will build and run a company in Malta and accept the requirement to live and pay tax there. The Nomad Residence Permit fits people whose income stays abroad, but it ends after four years at most and is not a path to long-term status. The MPRP suits investors who want permanent status from the outset without running a local business, at a cost of at least EUR 99,000 in fee, contribution and donation for the main applicant, before any property purchase or rent.
Questions and answers
Does the Malta Nomad Residence Permit lead to permanent residence?
No. Residency Malta states that the Nomad Residence Permit does not lead to any form of permanent or long-term residence or to citizenship. It is issued for one year and can be renewed three times, so the longest possible stay under this permit is four years.
What does the MPRP cost in 2026?
For the main applicant, the published figures are a EUR 60,000 administrative fee, a EUR 37,000 government contribution and a EUR 2,000 NGO donation, plus EUR 7,500 for each adult dependent other than the spouse and EUR 500 per person for residence cards. Property purchase or rent comes on top.
How long does a Nomad Residence Permit application take?
Processing is expected to take about 30 working days from the date Residency Malta issues the receipt of funds, not counting any visa processing. Residence cards usually follow three to four weeks after biometrics are taken. Each applicant pays a EUR 300 administrative fee and EUR 100 for the card.
Official sources
- Eligibility - Malta Startup Residence Programmestartup.residencymalta.gov.mt
- Nomad Residence Permit - FAQsnomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
- Nomad Residence Permit - Eligibilitynomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
- Malta Permanent Residence Programme - Legal Frameworkresidencymalta.gov.mt
- S.L. 217.26 Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations (amended by LN 310 of 2024 and LN 146 of 2025)residencymalta.gov.mt
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Malta.
Startup visa
Malta Enterprise and Residency Malta approve a startup under 7 years old
02Temporary residence
3-year residence permit, extendable for a further 5 years
03Permanent residence
Long-term residence after 5 years; the MPRP grants it on investment
04Citizenship
Naturalization after 5 years within 7; investment route repealed in 2025