Malta Retirement Visa

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Program Type:

Independent Means Visa

Processing Time:

2-3 months

Citizenship Timeline:

N/A

Permanent Residency Timeline:

N/A

Physical Presence Required:

90 days per year

Citizenship Visa-Free Access:

185 countries

Minimum Contribution:

None

Contribution Options:

Property Investment

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Malta Retirement Visa IMI

Program Overview

Malta Retirement Visa

The Malta Retirement Visa allows third-country nationals to reside in Malta if they meet specific eligibility criteria, including receiving a qualifying pension that makes up at least 75% of their income and owning or renting a qualifying property.

The property must meet minimum values, such as €275,000 for owned property in Malta or €9,600 annually for rented property.

Applicants must also demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and maintain health insurance. The program offers favorable tax treatment, with a minimum annual tax of €7,500 for the main applicant and €500 for dependents or household staff.

Malta Retirement Visa

How to Qualify

The Malta Retirement Visa is available to non-Maltese nationals who meet the following criteria:

Pension Income: Receive a qualifying pension constituting at least 75% of chargeable income, paid in Malta with proof.

No Other Tax Benefits: Must not benefit from other tax regimes (e.g., Global Residence Programme) and must renounce them if applicable.

Property: Own or rent qualifying property:

  • Owned: €275,000 (Malta) / €220,000 (Gozo or south).
  • Rented: €9,600/year (Malta) / €8,750/year (Gozo or south).

Financial Stability: Show enough resources to avoid social assistance.

Travel Document: Submit a valid travel document.

Health Insurance: Hold comprehensive EU-wide health insurance.

Non-Domicile: Declare no intent to establish domicile in Malta within five years.

Language: Must communicate in one of Malta’s official languages, Maltese or English.

Background Check: Provide a police certificate and confirm no ongoing legal issues.

Malta Retirement Visa

Salient Benefits

  • Freedom of movement (but not settlement) within Schengen
  • Lower taxes
  • Lower cost of living
  • Safety and security
  • Warm climate
  • Enhanced business access to large economies
  • English as official language

Malta Retirement Visa

Citizenship Timeline and Requirements

The Malta Retirement Visa program is designed to grant residency rights but does not provide a direct path to citizenship. While residents under this program can enjoy living in Malta and benefit from its favorable tax regime, they will not qualify for citizenship solely through participation in this scheme.

Individuals seeking Maltese citizenship would need to meet separate requirements, such as those under Malta’s naturalization process, which typically involves a longer period of residence (at least 5 to 6 years) and additional criteria.

The program is focused on providing a stable and attractive environment for retirees, without extending automatic citizenship rights.

Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.

Malta Retirement Visa

Program Authority and Legal Basis

Applications for this program may be directed to Office of The Commissioner for Revenue, Malta.

Legislation upon which this program is based Malta Retirement Programme Rules (LN 317 of 2012), as amended by LN 269 of 2014.

Malta Retirement Visa

IMI Pros Who Can Help You

IMI Pros who can help with Malta Retirement Visa

Malta Retirement Visa

Qualifying Real Estate

As noted in the program qualifications above, an investor can qualify for this program with a local property purchase above the minimum investment threshold. View eligible properties curated by IMI and our real estate partners:

Malta Retirement Visa

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Malta Retirement Visa

Program Statistics

See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.

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