MALTA INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR PROGRAMME (IIP)

Maltese Citizenship by Investment may be granted under an amendment passed in November 2013 to the Maltese Citizenship Act, Chapter 188 of the Laws of Malta.

The Malta Individual Investor Programme (IIP) offers affluent persons of impeccable standing and their families and repute to be naturalized and to receive Maltese Citizenship by Investment on the basis of a contribution to and investment in Malta. The program is the first of its kind to have the approval of the European Commission.

The Maltese passport is similar to the passports of Germany, France, or any other EU country; Malta passport holders may live, work or study in any country belonging to the European Union.

International business executives, investors, and important persons who are active worldwide 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 unbearable.

Malta (EU) Citizenship Program Requirements

The main applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have a clean criminal record. The main applicant may also add dependents to a citizenship application, including his/her spouse, children, and parents or grandparents.

Main applicants are required to make a Euro 650,000 contribution to the National Development and Social Fund. The contribution for a spouse and minor children is Euro 25,000 each. The contribution for dependent parents over 55 years of age and dependent children between 18 - 26 years of age is Euro 50,000.

In addition, the applicant is required to (a) invest Euro 350,000 into Malta real estate, or (b) lease a Malta property for at least Euro 16,000 per year, for a minimum of five years. The real estate may be liquidated after the five year holding period.

Further, the applicant is required to purchase Euro 150,000 in 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 final approval is issued within four months from IIP application. This ensures your investments will only become due if and when your application is approved.

The timeframe for application processing and issuance of the passport can be short as six months if the applicant has already met the one-year residency requirement.

Please use our contact form to obtain a detailed cost estimate.

Malta (EU) Residency Program Requirements

The main applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have a clean criminal record. The main applicant may also add dependents to a residency application.

A) Malta Residency for Non-EU Citizens: Malta Residency and Visa Program (MRVP)

The Malta Residency and Visa Program (MRVP), also known as the "Malta Golden Visa", the MRVP leads to residency (meaning the permission to live in Malta as long as desired), visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, and the option to apply for a Malta work permit.

This program requires a one-time investment and does not need to be renewed each year. The processing time is about 3 - 6 months.



The MRVP program offers two investment options. The first option is a financing package at a one-time, non-recoverable expense of EUR 160,000 plus EUR 10,000 annual property lease for 5 years (a property purchase is also acceptable). This expense covers all government, financing, and legal fees. The benefit of this option is a lower upfront cash payment.

The second option is a bond investment which can be sold after a 5 year holding period. The total cost for this option is EUR 250,000 for the bonds (refundable) plus EUR 30,000 government contribution plus EUR 10,000 annual property lease for 5 years (a property purchase is also acceptable) plus legal fees which depend on how many family members are to be included. The benefit of this option is a lower overall cost because the investor may sell the bonds after 5 years.

B) Malta Residency for Non-EU Citizens: Malta Global Residency Program (GRP)

The Global Residency Program offers residency in Malta (meaning the permission to live in Malta as long as desired), visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, and the option to apply for a Malta work permit.

Residency status under the GRP program needs to be renewed annually to avoid expiration. This program is desirable especially for applicants who only require temporary EU residency status.



The annual expense, a minimum tax, to renew residency is approximately €15,000. Further, the applicant is required to rent a residence (house or apartment) at an annual lease of no less than €8,750 (a property purchase is also acceptable). Thus, the total minimum expense to renew the GRP permit each year is approximately €24,000.

C) Malta Residency for EU Citizens: The Ordinary Residence (OR) Program

The Ordinary Residence Program requires the applicant demonstrates financial self-sufficiency, which is defined as having available funds of at least EUR 14,000 for a single person (EUR 23,000 for married couples). Further, the applicant must purchase or lease a property in Malta. There is no minimum property value requirement. Benefits include the freedom to reside and work in Malta, visa-free Schengen travel, and fast processing (6-8 weeks). Family members can be included.

D) Malta Residency for EU Citizens: The Residence Program (TRP)

The Residence Program requires applicants to declare they do not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction outside of Malta. The tax rate on income brought into Malta is 15% (annual minimum tax: EUR 15,000). Further, the applicant must purchase or lease a property in Malta with a minimum property value of EUR 275,000 for property in Central/North Malta (or EUR 220,000 for property in Gozo or South Malta). Candidates may alternatively opt for rental of property at EUR 9,600 (or EUR 8,750 per year in Gozo/South Malta). Benefits include the freedom to reside and work in Malta, visa-free Schengen travel, fast processing (3 – 4 months), and a 15% flat rate tax on income remitted to Malta. Family members and domestic staff can be included.

Please use our contact form to obtain a detailed cost estimate.

Why Malta?

Malta is a stable, neutral and respected member of the European Union since 2004 and part of the Schengen Area since 2007. The country enjoys a stable political climate and a bi-partisan political scene that is largely convergent on issues of national and economic importance. Malta has weathered the financial crises well and shared the limelight with Germany as the only two states maintaining economic growth in the Euro Zone. Malta's banks have been ranked amongst the top 5 soundest banks in the world.

Malta is a safe country that enjoys a low cost of living index. Multiple cultures live side by side in peace and harmony.

The Island offers a rich, contemporary cultural lifestyle, temperate climate and fascinating history. Malta is also a state of the art financial and business hub due to its competitive tax system and offers significant advantages to foreign entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and investors seeking an attractive yet safe business environment.

For the last two decades Malta has enjoyed solid and constant growth in its financial services industry and is fast becoming the jurisdiction of choice to international corporate groups seeking an ideal hub from which to do business within the EU, Middle East and North African markets.

Citizenship under the Individual Investor Programme grants the European passport and all benefits of full EU citizenship. This means access to all investment opportunities in Malta and throughout the 28 European Union countries, as well as visa-free travel to more than 160 countries in the world, including the USA, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and most countries in North, Central and South America.

Our Qualifications

Our team consists of immigration specialists working exclusively on Citizenship & Residence matters and will stand by your side throughout the entire application process, from start to finish. We will work with you until your residence or citizenship by investment application has been approved and you have received your residence certificate or Malta (EU) passport.

In addition to immigration law our associates are providing advisory services to clients including high net worth individuals, owner-managed businesses, and larger corporations in the areas of company formation and tax law.
 

Services Provided:

Next Steps:

If the applicant has already been a resident prior to filing an application he/she can obtain the Maltese passport as early as six months. This makes the Malta IIP program one of the fastest options for international investors looking to obtain EU citizenship.

Please contact us to receive a detailed cost estimate or to schedule a confidential consultation.  Our associated attorneys are ready to assist you with attaining your investment objectives and answer any questions you might have about the Residency / Citizenship by Investment programs available to non-EU citizens.

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