The Link Between Taxation and Citizenship by Investment in Malta
Nicky Gouder explains the nuances of the terms resident and domiciled and how each has different implications for taxability in Malta.
The successor scheme to Malta’s erstwhile MRVP, the MPRP gives investors permanent residency in an EU country immediately upon approval, as well as a clear path to EU citizenship in five years provided the applicant physically resides in Malta.
The program prescribes a number of different contribution types, all of which are mandatory.
Program page sponsor
Program Type | Golden Visa Program |
Time to citizenship | 5 years |
Time to permanent residency | 6-8 months |
Minimum investment | EUR 150,000 (minimum outlay, including lease) |
Physical presence requirement | None |
Application processing time | 6-8 months |
Citizenship grants visa-free travel to | 179 destinations, including Schengen countries and the United States |
Contribution types available | Donation, Property Investment |
General program requirements
The following application requirements must be met to qualify for the program:
The investor must hold €150,000 in liquid financial assets and be in possession of total assets worth no less than €500,000.
Applicants must either purchase or rent a home in Malta.
If purchasing, the minimum price is €350,000 or €300,000 if in South Malta or on Gozo
If leasing, the minimum price is €12,000 per annum or €10,000 per annum in South Malta or Gozo.
Applicants must make a €28,000 contribution to the Maltese economy if the residential property is purchased, or €58,000 if the property is leased.
Applicants must further make a €2,000 donation to a non-governmental organization and pay a €40,000 non-refundable administration fee.
Due diligence fees amount to €7,500 for each dependent over 18 years old except the applicant’s spouse.
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
To obtain citizenship, the applicant needs to physically reside in Malta for no less than four years out of the previous six, during which time they have not spent more than six consecutive or ten months total outside the country.
They will need to spend 12 uninterrupted months in Malta directly before applying for citizenship and will need Maltese nationals to vouch for the applicants in writing. There is a requirement to have passed a language test (English or Maltese). The applicant will be invited to take the oath of allegiance in Malta and be presented with a Maltese certificate of naturalization.
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Immigration Act Sec. 7A and 36 & Malta Permanent Residence Program Regulations, LN 121 of 2021
No statistics available yet for this program.
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Nicky Gouder explains the nuances of the terms resident and domiciled and how each has different implications for taxability in Malta.
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Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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