Frequently Asked Questions About Malta Immigration
A. Permanent Residency Program
1. What are some of the reasons the Malta residency/ citizenship by investment programs are attracting so many international investors?
Many international business executives, investors, public figures, VIPs, and affluent citizens of other countries consider an alternative residency or citizenship and passport a powerful tool for international tax planning and a safety net should the living conditions at home become challenging.
Applicants realize that the Maltese residency/citizenship provides several benefits, including:
- Visa-free travel to over 160 countries, including the USA, Canada, and Europe
- Retirement in a safe country with a warm climate
- Better education for the applicant’s children
- Children and grandchildren gain visa-free travel and the right to live, work, or study in many countries
- A better quality of life for the family, including better healthcare and an unpolluted environment
- Relatively low real estate prices
- Personal security
- Tax advantages
- Freedom associated with having multiple passports
- Applicants are not required to continuously live in Malta before or after citizenship approval.
See more Cost of Living in Malta compared to other countries
2. How do I qualify for Malta Permanent Residency Program?
To obtain PR in Malta, the client has to spend
- A financial contribution of 30.000 Euro for the main applicant, the spouse, and their children. (addition of 5.000 Euro for parents or grandparents)
- Property purchase of a minimum of 320.000 Euro (270.000 in South Malta or Gozo) or rental of 12.000 Euro (10.000 Euro in south Malta or Gozo).
- Bond investment of 250.000 Euro OR 70.000 Euro financing “walk away OR 125.000 Euro financial refundable.
3. Who can apply for Malta Permanent Residency Program?
- The main applicant (at least 18) and their spouse
- Any children under 18
- Any children up to 26 who are still dependent on their parents (still studying etc)
- The parents of the main applicant or spouse but they must make a financial contribution of 5.000 Euro more.
- Grandparents (with certain conditions)
4. What is the process to obtain Malta Permanent Residence?
Document preparation: 2-3 weeks
Processing: 5 months
- Application is confirmed formal validity
- Pass due diligence
- Approval in principal
Appliance time: 3 months
- Approve Property purchase or renting
- Invest bond or Financing walk away
- Settle financial contribution
- Purchase Health insurance
See more about Malta residency and European permanent Residency
5. When can I upgrade to passports?
By law, you can submit Citizenship application after 5 years, provided you are not vacant of more than 6 months during 5 years. But it’s very likely that the Government will refuse.
In another likely way, clients have to wait for 20 years.
– In the first 10 years, the client doesn’t need to reside at Malta
– In the next 10 years, the client has to stay at least 10 months totally for 10 years.
6. Can I sell my property investment after I receive the Permanent Residence?
No. You must keep the whole investment including bond and property (both purchase and rental) for 5 years. After 5 years, the client can sell the bond and real estate (if they purchased).
7. Am I allowed to live and work in Malta after I receive my Malta Permanent Residence?
The client can reside and study at Malta. If they want to work, they have to apply for work permit, which is nearly 100% successful.
8. How many percentages can I get my bond investment back in 5 years? How much is the interest if possible?
The bonds are government secured, so clients will get the bond back. Interest is about 1-3% /year.
B. Citizenship Program
9. What is the minimum investment required to obtain Malta citizenship (EU citizenship)? Who will receive these funds?
Applicants for the Malta (EU) citizenship program are required to make a contribution directly to the Maltese Government’s National Development and Social Fund.
The contribution is set at 650,000 Euro for the main applicant, 25,000 Euro for a spouse and each minor child under 18 years of age, and 50,000 Euro for each dependent parent over 55 years of age and each dependent child between 18 – 26 years of age.
In addition, the applicant is required to:
(a) invest 350,000 Euro into Malta real estate, or
(b) lease a Malta property for at least 16,000 Euro per year. If purchased, the real estate may be liquidated after the five-year holding period.
Further, the applicant is required to purchase 150,000 Euro worth of Government approved securities to be held for at least five years. The securities may also be liquidated after the five-year holding period.
NOTE: No contribution or investments need to be paid to the Maltese government before the Approval in Principle is issued by the government. This ensures your investments will only become due after your application has been approved. Our attorneys will advise you of the probability of success prior to submitting your application to protect you from filing an application (and making any investments) that might be rejected.
10. Who can apply for the Malta Citizenship program?
- The main applicant (at least 18) and their spouse
- Any children under 18
- Any children up to 26 who are still dependent on their parents (still studying etc)
- The parents of the main applicant or spouse but they must make a financial contribution of 50.000 Euro more.
- Grandparents with an additional contribution
11. Can I include my family with my application?
Yes. The main applicant may include a spouse, children, and all parents.
12. Do I need to move to Malta or live in Malta for a minimum number of days during the year to qualify for the program?
Applicants do not need to move to Malta or live in the country for a full year to satisfy the one-year residency requirement. Instead, an applicant can meet the requirement by proving a genuine link with Malta as evidenced by, for example, a minimum of two visits within the year, or showing water and electricity bills, or having a club membership, engaging in any business activity in Malta, or similar. Our attorneys will assist you to be in full compliance with Maltese regulations.
13. Do I need to invest in a Malta company and create jobs to qualify for the program?
No. Unlike other programs such as the EB-5 Investor Visa in the United States, Malta has no requirements to invest in a business or create new jobs.
14. Will Malta citizenship automatically grant me European citizenship?
Yes. Because Malta is a member of the European Union its citizens are automatically European citizens, which means you are allowed to live, work or study anywhere in Europe.
15. Will I be able to travel to the United States with the Malta passport?
Yes. The Malta passport will allow you to travel to the U.S. under the visa waiver program which allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less.
16. Can I sell my property investment after I receive the Citizenship?
No. You must keep the whole investment including bond and property (both purchase and rental) for 5 years.
17. How many countries can I travel with Malta passport without visa?
Malta is currently the 7th strongest passport in the world. With a Malta passport, you can now travel to 183 countries visa-free.
18. Can I get Denied/ Rejected for the Malta Citizenship by Investment Program?
In simple terms, yes. Malta Citizenship by Investment is a very exclusive program designed only to accept the best individuals into Malta. However, this typically only occurs if the applicant:
- Has a criminal record
- Is a threat to national security
- Submits a false application
- Uncertain or illegitimate source of wealth
- The applicant has been rejected or denied a visa by a country with ties to Malta.
19. Will my citizenship expire?
No. When you acquire citizenship under the Maltese citizenship program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.
20. What are the documents?
On proof of purchase of a Citizenship qualifying property from the buyers Malta bank account, the client can then apply for Citizenship. The buyer must provide:
- Passport
- Proof of Address
- Police Certificate (for anyone over 16)
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
21. If I go to Malta, who can assist me?
Odin Land provides a full service for our clients including preparing all the documents, obtaining the necessary visa and flights. We also can offer clients full inspection tours if you decide to view the properties before buying.
