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Immigrate to Malta to live and work. Explore Malta visas, residency, citizenship, and passport.
Why Immigrate to Malta?
Immigrate to Malta for the powerful passport, the island lifestyle, and the strong economy. Does it sound like this life is for you? If you’re looking for a place with a beautiful character, one of the Maltese islands might be a great place for you to settle. We’ll look at your options for a Malta visa or residence permit to live and work in Malta.
The Maltese people are famous for welcoming Expats to their country. You soon become part of a community of 23,000 foreigners from over 150 different countries already living in Malta.
People love the islands for the relaxed way of life, low cost of living and of course the beautiful surroundings. These surroundings offer excellent opportunities for outdoor pursuits and water sports. Often voted one of the world’s best climates, Malta has over 300 days of sunshine a year and short winters. This climate makes the island a perfect home for sun worshippers and those who like a tropical lifestyle. Serious crime is limited, and a lot of locals still leave their doors unlocked.
English is one of two official languages in Malta, along with Maltese. As such the vast majority of people speak excellent English. Being a country with such a high proportion of Expats, many languages are common. As many as 66% of the population speak Italian showcasing the close relationship between these countries. You also commonly hear French, Russian, Spanish and German.
Immigrate to Malta for business and commerce
Many international companies have offices in Malta. This concentration has created a demand for specialist jobs. Expats with foreign language skills are often in short supply, offering exciting opportunities for immigrants. Another appealing aspect of the island is the attractive tax policies and stable financial and political climate.
Malta ranks 20th on the Legatum Prosperity Rankings. This ranking reflects outstanding resulting area including Safety and Security, Living Conditions, and Health.
Maltese health care, the sixth-best in Europe, is also free when you’re employed.
The islands are also perfectly placed as a travel hub. The capital, Valletta, has an international airport that schedules regular flights around Europe and North Africa.
Malta visa and residence permit information
Malta is a member of the European Union (EU). This membership allows people with citizenship of countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) to move, live and work freely in Malta. Additionally, Malta is a party to the SCHENGEN agreement. This agreement means that a visa or permit issued by any of the 26 member states will be valid in Malta.
Tourist Visa
To find out if you need a tourist visa to visit Malta, please use the VisaHQ tool below. Please note, Malta is a SCHENGEN state, and so any SCHENGEN visa is valid in Malta and all of the 26 member states.
Youth Mobility Visa
Malta has a popular Working Holiday Visa program. It is only available to young people from Australia or New Zealand. If you are an Aussie, you must be between the ages of eighteen to twenty-five. Kiwi’s must be between eighteen and thirty. This temporary residence permit allows you to live and work in Malta. The Working Holiday Visa is valid for one year.
Family Visa
If your spouse is a citizen or permanent resident of Malta, you are probably eligible for Malta residency by marriage. Malta does recognize gay marriage and offers full immigration rights to spouses in same-sex marriages.
See the citizenship section below for more information on residency or citizenship based on descent and by Malta citizenship by marriage.
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How to get Maltese nationality, citizenship and a passport
Citizenship of Malta is valuable. Malta is a member of the European Union and is a SCHENGEN member state. It is a stable democracy with a strong economy. Additionally, Malta has a good reputation globally. When traveling under Maltese citizenship, and with a Malta passport you can be sure of a warm welcome.
Malta passport power
The Malta passport is highly ranked compared to others in most passport power rankings. It allows visa-free access to more than 180 countries and territories. This includes all of the European Union, Canada, and Switzerland.
Your children can inherit your Maltese citizenship and will be eligible for a Malta passport.
Here are some of the ways to get citizenship in Malta:
Investment
Malta Individual Investor Programme (IIP) is part of the European Union’s most active CBI programs. Please see the Investment Visa section of this page for full details of this program.
Through family
Maltese citizenship through family depends on several factors, including when you were born.
If you were born in Malta between 21 September 1964 and 1 August 1989, you are a citizen of Malta by birth.
For those born between 21 September 1964 and 1 August 1989, your situation is clear. If your father was a Maltese citizen when you were born, you are a citizen of Malta by birth. This ruling applies even if you were born outside Malta.
Were one or both of your parents citizens of Malta when you were born after 1 August 1989? If so, then you are probably also a citizen of Malta.
If you were born in Malta before 21 September 1964 a different rule applies. If one of your parents was also born in Malta, you are probably a citizen of Malta.
For those born outside of Malta before 21 September 1964 your heritage is critical. If your father and paternal grandfather were both born in Malta, you are a probably also a citizen of Malta.
Malta’s Golden Visa. Residency and Citizenship by Investment
Malta offers one of the most active Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment programs in the world. These programs provide access to the powerful and highly ranked Malta passport. Additionally, you can live and work in this prosperous and beautiful country.
Citizenship by Investment – Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP)
If it is EU citizenship you are looking for, you can’t go past Malta’s Individual Investor Programme (MIIP). This Investor Visa program was the first to be recognised by the European Union. Importantly, after only one year, you can apply for citizenship and a Maltese passport. These come with all the benefits of being a citizen of the European Union. You do not need to live in Malta for this time. However, you will need to show that you have established real connections within Malta.
Financial requirements of the MIIP
One-off non-refundable contribution to the Malta development fund.
- Principal applicant – €650,000
- Spouse – €25,000
- Young children – €25,000 per child
- Unmarried children 18-26 – €50,000 per child
- Dependent parents and grandparents – €50,000 each
Purchase of Maltese stocks or bonds
You must purchase €150,000 worth of shares in a company registered in Malta, or Maltese government bonds.
Securing a property
You must also purchase a property with a value of €350,000 or rent a property for at least €16,000 per year.
Residency by Investment – Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP)
The MRVP has four requirements.
Firstly, is your financial situation. You’ll need to show income of €100,000 per year from sources outside Malta. Also, you’ll need to show assets of at least €500,000.
Secondly is an administration fee payable to the Maltese government. The cost is €30,000 for the primary applicant and €5,000 for each family member on the application.
Third, you must make an approved five-year investment. The amount is €250,000 in Malta government bonds or shares listed on the Maltese stock exchange.
Finally, you need a property to establish your residence in Malta. There are two options for this.
- Purchase property valued at no less than €320,000 (€270,000 if the property is in South Malta or Gozo).
or
- Rent property at no less than €12,000 annum (€10,000 per annum if the property is in South Malta or Gozo).
After the visa is granted, the Maltese government will periodically check that you are still meeting the requirements of the visa. These checks are annually for the first five years, and then every five years.
This program can be a pathway to permanent residency and then Maltese citizenship and a Malta passport.
Residency by Investment – Global Residence Programme
Malta also has a residency by investment program to attract people with a high income from outside of Malta. You become a resident in Malta for tax purposes and are subject to a flat 15% tax rate on income earned both outside Malta. This program is a fast track to European Union and SCHENGEN permanent residency in just three months.
To be eligible for the visa, you need a minimum of €15,000 per year tax liability. In other words, you need a stable income of more than €100,000.
Also, you need to buy or rent a property. For purchase, the minimum purchase price is €275,000 (or €220,000 if the property is in South Malta or Gozo). For a rental property, the minimum annual rent is €9,600 (€8,750 if the property is in South Malta or Gozo). If you rent, you need to sign a lease of at least twelve months.
There is a residency requirement for this visa.
While you don’t have to spend all year in Malta, you must be in the country for at least 185 days per year.
You’ll also need to show you have sufficient funds to cover you and that you have adequate health insurance.
Other Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment opportunities
For information on other Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment programs around the world, please see our article here.
We’d love to hear your Malta Expat story. If you have moved to Malta to live and work share your experience here. We’re especially keen to hear about how you accessed Malta residency, citizenship, and passport. Contact us to find out more.
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