Malta PRP Changes: Cheaper for Families, New Instant Residency, and Leasing Rights

Ryan Darmanin
Malta

The Maltese government has announced a set of enhancements to the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) that mark a major shift in the investment migration landscape. The government designed these changes to increase accessibility and investor appeal, and they include:

• Immediate temporary residency card issued upon application submission with initial €15,000 fee
• Instant rental income for property purchasers through immediate leasing rights
• 25% reduction in adult dependent fees (from €10,000 to €7,500)
• Subletting rights for rental applicants after five years
• Agent licensing authority transferred to Residency Malta Agency with transition until December 2025

Temporary Residence Card Issued at Application Stage

One of the major changes the government introduced involves granting a temporary and renewable one-year residence card upon submission of the application for Permanent Residence, following the initial €15,000 administration fee. 

The process involves the licensed firm onboarding the applicant, submitting the complete application file, and the Residency Malta Agency conducting initial ‘visa-level’ checks. Once the Agency completes these checks and the applicant pays the contribution, the RMA issues the temporary residence card.

This measure directly responds to an increase in families seeking to immediately spend more time in Malta, enabling them to explore schooling and property options before the RMA issues their PR. Families want certainty and access. This update allows them to begin their new lives in Malta without delays.

Buyers Can Lease Immediately and Earn Returns

Applicants who choose to purchase property can now lease it from the date of acquisition. This aligns Malta with other European programs such as the Greek and Cypriot Golden Visas, both of which permit immediate leasing of qualifying investment properties.

This flexibility improves the program’s appeal from an investment standpoint, minimizing sunk costs and allowing applicants to generate rental income immediately while waiting for approval. 

Rental Applicants Gain Subletting Rights

For applicants selecting the rental route, the updates introduce the option to sub-lease the property after five years, provided the sub-tenant is not another MPRP applicant. This offers an avenue to generate returns and adds long-term value for those opting for the rental model. 

The updated rules may also allow applicants to rent long-term properties that owners concurrently use for short lets, enhancing flexibility in the rental market.

Reduced Total Cost for Families

The government has restructured the MPRP fee schedule to create more attractive pricing for families, particularly those choosing the rental route. Key changes include:

A Unified Contribution Structure: The contribution amount is now €37,000 regardless of whether applicants purchase or lease property. Previously, rental applicants paid €60,000 while purchasers paid €30,000; meaning rental applicants now save €23,000.

Lower family costs: Malta has now waived the former €10,000 contribution levied on each extra family member for the spouse and all minor children and has slashed the fee to €7,500 for each additional adult dependant (18 +). This materially reduces the overall fee burden for family applications.

Changed Administration Fee: The administration fee is now a single €60,000 payment, with a split-payment structure of €15,000 upfront and €45,000 upon approval.

Hence, the total capital outlay for families to obtain PR will now be at around €100,000, excluding the property lease or purchase.

The government hopes these revised policies will further incentivize the growing number of families to invest in property, settle their children in Malta’s education system, and establish long-term roots.

Agent Licensing Framework

The updates include a regulatory shift that transfers licensing authority from Agenzija Komunitá Malta to the Residency Malta Agency. This consolidation places oversight of licensed agents directly under the RMA’s purview.

Current licenses issued under Subsidiary Legislation 188.05 will remain valid until December 31, 2025, providing agents with a transition period to adapt to the new framework. 

The RMA will release detailed information and application forms for the new licensing structure in the coming weeks.

The RMA took into consideration agents’ feedback, from Latitude and others, and designed these changes based on that feedback.

MPRP Updates Amid Citizenship Program Overhaul

These enhancements to Malta’s permanent residence program arrive as the government simultaneously addresses the future of its citizenship offerings following the European Court of Justice ruling in April.

Malta will expand its existing citizenship by merit framework, removing all commercial elements and broadening eligibility to include philanthropists, technologists, and job creators.

The new system emphasizes discretionary assessments based on exceptional contributions to Malta’s national interests rather than predetermined financial thresholds, representing a fundamental shift from transaction-based to merit-based naturalization.