The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is a route to obtain residence for non-EU nationals wishing to reside in Malta or to travel within the Schengen Area without the requirement of a visa. The MPRP is a residence by investment programme which is based on three main requirements, which are: an investment in property, a government contribution and a donation to a Maltese registered charity or NGO. The main benefit of the MPRP is that the programme is a straightforward one with applications processed within 4 to 6 months as long as the applicant satisfies all the eligibility requirements.
Which legislation regulates the MPRP?
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme was launched by means of Legal Notice 121 of 2021. This legislation lists down the eligibility criteria and requirements for non-EU nationals to obtain residence in Malta through the MPRP.
Is The Malta Permanent Residence Programme open only for non-EU nationals?
The MPRP is only available to Non-EU nationals. Currently the Malta residency agency is not accepting applications from nationals of Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Venezuela.
Will holders of MPRP be allowed to travel visa-free in the Schengen Area?
Beneficiaries of the MPRP may travel Visa-free to Schengen countries, and for a maximum period of 90 days within a 180-day period. The 26 Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Do I need to satisfy all the investment requirements under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme?
The applicant must satisfy all the investment requirements and cannot choose only one of them. The applicant must thus: 1) invest in property, 2) pay a government contribution and 3) give a donation to charity or an NGO.
How much is an applicant required to invest in property?
An applicant is only required to invest in property once a letter of approval is issued. This is different from the residence programmes of Portugal and Greece whereby the applicant is not able to submit an application without first purchasing a property.
In Malta, the applicant is required to either rent or purchase a property once the application is approved.
The applicant is required to rent a property for a minimum of €12,000 annually in Malta or €10,000 in the South of Malta or Gozo.
If the applicant opts to purchasing a property, he is required to purchase a property for a minimum of €350,000 in Malta or €300,000 in the South of Malta or Gozo.
How much is an applicant requited to contribute to the Government of Malta?
The Government contribution depends on whether an applicant decides to purchase or rent a property in Malta.
If the applicant decides to rent a property, the direct contribution and administration fee is of €98,000.
If the applicant decides to purchase a property, the direct contribution and administration fee is of €68,000.
At what stage is the applicant required to pay the Government Contribution and Administration Fee?
The applicant is only required to pay the €68,000 (purchase) or €98,000 (rent) once the letter of approval is issued. From this only €10,000 is to be paid within one month from the submission of the application.
Is the applicant required to pay additional fee for the spouse and children?
The Government Contribution and Administration fee of €68,000 (purchase) or €98,000 (rent) covers the main applicant, the spouse and their children. The applicant may also add the parents and/or grandparents at an additional government contribution of €7,500.
How much is an applicant required to donate to a charity organisation?
Once the letter of approval is issued, the applicant is required to donate €2,000 to a local registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organisation or society registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, or as otherwise approved by the Agency.
Which family members are eligible to be added in the same application of the Main Applicant?
The main applicant may include in the same application, the spouse, financially dependent and unmarried children (no age limits) and parents/grandparents of the applicant and/or of the spouse who are also economically dependent on the main applicant.
Would a child of the main applicant be entitled to free education in Malta?
Under the MPRP, a minor is not entitled to free education. However, if the main applicant or spouse acquires a work permit, the children would be entitled to free primary and secondary education in state schools.
Is the permanent residence permit valid for life?
The residence certificate issued under the MPRP is valid for life as long as all the programme obligations are adhered to. The residence card is valid for 5 years and renewed every 5 years.
Can the applicant first rent and then buy a property?
An applicant may opt to rent a property and then replace it with a purchased property. During the first 5 years the applicant is however not allowed to first purchase, and then rent a property.
For how long is the applicant required to keep the property in Malta?
The applicant is required to hold the qualifying rented or purchased property for at least five years during which it cannot be rented out to other persons. After the five-year period, the applicant is still required to have a property rented or purchased in Malta to retain the residence card.
Is the applicant required to proof that he is economically self-sufficient?
The applicant is required to show evidence that he is in possession of €500,000 out of which €150,000 should be in the form of financial assets. This amount does not change according to the number of persons included in the application.
Liquid assets can be stocks, bonds, funds and bank deposits. Cryptocurrency does not qualify as financial assets.
For how long is the Applicant required to be in compliance with the economic self sufficiency requirement?
Monitoring of beneficiary’s €500,000 in assets, out of which a minimum of €150,000 need to be financial assets will be made yearly for the first 5 years.
Is the applicant required to have a Health Insurance Policy?
Under the MPRP, a health insurance policy is required. The health insurance should cover all beneficiaries for a minimum of €30,000 per annum and covering full expenses for Malta.
Is an applicant required to be in Malta to start the application?
The applicant is not required to be in Malta to submit an application, since an application can only be submitted by an Accredited Agent.
How can ACC Immigration Assist?
We are a licenced firm by Agenzija Komunita Malta, accredited to submit permanent residence applications on behalf of applicants. ACC holds licence number AKM-ACCA-22.
