Moving to Malta? – Here Are All Your Residency Permit Options

May 25, 2023

Lots of people dream of moving to Malta. However, before you make the move, you need to consider many things, including the type of residency permit you want to apply for. There are several different types of residency permits for you to choose from. However, you won’t be eligible for them all. To find out which ones you are eligible for, and which one is best for you, check out the article below:

1. The Nomad Residence Permit

The Nomad Residence Permit is the newest option on this list. First introduced in 2021, this programme is a highly attractive scheme aimed at remote workers and digital nomads. The permit allows holders to reside in Malta for up to one year and gives them access to various benefits, including healthcare. To qualify for this permit, applicants must:

Have a valid passport.
Have purchased travel insurance.
Have enough money to support themselves during their time in Malta.

2. The Malta Ordinary Residence Programme

Unlike the Nomad Residence Permit, the Malta Ordinary Residence Programme has been around for many years. To be able to apply for this programme, you must be an EEA or EU national. Eligibility for this programme also depends on the following things:

You must reside in Malta for 183 days or six months in any calendar year.
Whether you have financial stability.
Whether you are employed or studying in the country.
Through renting or buying a property, you will need evidence of a physical address in Malta.
You must stay in Malta for at least three months before applying for this programme.

3. The Malta Global Residence Programme

Another permit available to people considering moving to Malta is the Malta Global Residence Programme. This programme is for non-EEA, EU, and Swiss nationals wanting to purchase high-value property in Malta. To apply for this programme, you must meet the following criteria:

You must have personal health insurance for yourself and any dependents.
You must be a third-country and non-Maltese, EU, EEA, or Swiss national.
You must be financially stable and a Fit and Proper Test passer.
You must be fluent in at least one of the languages spoken in Malta.
You are required to have valid travel documents.
You will need to purchase a qualifying property.
You must hire an Authorised Registered Mandatory (ARM) to represent you.

4. The Malta Startup Residence Programme

If you’re a third-country national looking to open a business in Malta, then the Malta Startup Residence Programme might be your perfect permit choice. This programme has many benefits including Maltese and EU Residency for three years. However, not everyone is eligible. To be eligible, you must:

Want to establish or grow your business in Malta.
Be the founder of the business – your business mustn’t have been registered for more than seven years.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Have health insurance cover.
Be able to support yourself and your family financially while in Malta.
Have no criminal record.

5. The Malta Single Permit Application

If you are a third-country national wanting to move to Malta but do not have the capital to purchase high-end property, then this permit might be the best choice for you. The Malta Single Permit application allows third-country nationals to lawfully work and reside in Malta for a specified amount of time. When this period runs out, applicants can apply to have it renewed and extended. To be accepted onto this programme, you must meet the following criteria:

You will need to show proof of a physical address in Malta. You do not need to own a property to do this; rental proof is enough.
You will need to prove that you are working in Malta. This can be through employment, self-employment or owning a company in Malta.
You must have the correct documentation to work here.
If you are self-employed, you must invest at least five hundred thousand euros in Malta’s capital expenditure. This must be done within six months of getting your license.
If you own a business, you must have a solid business plan that commits to hiring at least three Maltese, EEA, or Swiss nationals within 18 months of your business opening. As well as this, your business must lead a project that Malta Enterprise has formally approved.

6. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is the perfect choice of programme for people who want themselves and their families to become permanent residents of Malta. However, to be accepted on this programme, you must be a non-European national and have money to invest in the country. Requirements for this programme include: