Malta Revokes Citizenship of Convicted Money Launderer
October 25, 2025
Malta revoked Semen Kuksov’s citizenship after he was sentenced to five years in UK prison for money laundering.
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
This Page is Sponsored by:
Program Type:
Independent Means Visa
Processing Time:
2-3 months
Citizenship Timeline:
5 years
Permanent Residency Timeline:
5 years
Physical Presence Required:
None
Citizenship Visa-Free Access:
190 countries
Minimum Contribution:
€15,000 per year in taxes
On This Page
Program Overview
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
Malta’s Global Residence Program (GRP) is a physical residency and tax residency program designed to attract non-EU/EEA nationals to the country by offering preferential tax rates.
The program permits families to settle in Malta and pay sharply reduced tax rates on overseas income.
The residence permit is initially valid for one year and, subsequently, renewable in two-year increments. After five years in Malta, the individual can apply for long-term residence and naturalization.
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
How to Qualify
To qualify for the Global Residence Program, the applicant must:
- Be a national of a country outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland.
- Own or rent a qualifying property in Malta.
If owning a property, it must have a minimum value of EUR 220,000 (on Southern Malta or Gozo) or €275,000 (elsewhere in the country).
If renting, the minimum annual rent is €8,750 (Southern Malta or Gozo) or €9,600 (elsewhere).
- Have stable and regular resources sufficient to maintain himself and his dependents.
- Hold medical insurance covering the whole family.
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
Salient Benefits
- Freedom of movement (but not settlement) within Schengen
- No investment or donation requirement
- Path to citizenship
- Permits dual/multiple citizenship (under certain circumstances)
- Safety and security
- Lower taxes
- Warm climate
- Enhanced education opportunities
- Enhanced business access to large economies
- Short processing time
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
The initial residence permit is valid for one year. As long as the applicant continues to meet the requirements, he can renew the permit in two-year intervals.
After five years of residency, the applicant can become a long-term resident of Malta (effectively PR).
Also following five years (four years continuously immediately preceding the application) of residency, the applicant is eligible for naturalization.
The decision to grant citizenship is at the discretion of Maltese authorities.
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Applications for this program may be directed to Office of the Commissioner for Revenue.
Legislation upon which this program is based Maltese Income Tax Act Article 56(23), Subsidiary Legislation SL 123.156, Legal Notice 167 of 2013.
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
IMI Pros Who Can Help You
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
Recent Stories About This Destination
“Every Application Will Be Different” Experts Analyze Malta’s Transition to Citizenship by Merit
August 20, 2025
Muscat Azzopardi, Major, Willis, and Aysever agree that Malta’s CBM model won’t rest on fixed-value donations or one-off payments.
Malta Becomes Popular Destination for UK’s Non-Dom Exodus
August 6, 2025
Vertex Alliance details how the Mediterranean jurisdiction is positioned to capture displaced wealth as London loses appeal.
Malta Global Residence Program (GRP)
Program Statistics
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.