Malta Raises MPRP Investment Thresholds and Fees

Residency Malta will implement price increases and structural changes to the Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP) starting January 1st, 2025, according to a circular it issued yesterday.

The government announced these changes to maintain the program’s “unique position in the residency-by-investment landscape.”

The financial qualification criteria now offer investors two pathways: demonstrate €500,000 in total assets with €150,000 in liquid financial assets, or show €650,000 in total assets with a reduced €75,000 in financial assets.

Residency Malta has standardized property requirements across Malta and Gozo, eliminating previous regional pricing variations.

The minimum property purchase threshold increases to €375,000 nationwide, up from €350,000 in Malta and €300,000 in Gozo.

Annual rent requirements rise to €14,000 across both regions, marking increases of €2,000 and €4,000 from previous levels in Malta and Gozo, respectively.

Main applicants will face increased costs as administration fees climb to €50,000 – a €10,000 increase.

Investors must pay €15,000 of the fee within one month of application submission and €35,000 within two months of receiving approval in principle.

The program now requires a €10,000 fee per dependent – including spouses, children, parents, and grandparents.

Dependents included at the application stage must pay the €5,000 administration fee within two months of approval in principle. The €5,000 contribution follows within eight months of approval.

If a dependant joins after the government issues a residency certificate, investors must pay the non-refundable administration fee and contribution fee upon application submission.

Government contributions increase by €2,000 across both investment routes. Applicants purchasing property now contribute €30,000, while those choosing rental properties must pay €60,000.

The deadline for these contributions falls eight months after receiving approval in principle.

The government limited the age of unmarried, adult dependent children to 29 years at the time of application.

Residency Malta Agency emphasizes these changes aim to “reflect current economic and market trends” while promising improved processing times without compromising due diligence standards.

The new regulations will take effect on January 1st, 2025. The government will continue processing existing applications under the current rules.