Malta Residence Programmes

Alternative Routes to Maltese Residency

Admin | 11 Sep 2020

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Maltese immigration law provides a number of Malta residence programmes open to EU and non-EU nationals. The various Malta Residence Programmes give the opportunity to a number of individuals and families to relocate to Malta or to hold residency status in Malta for various reasons.

Malta Ordinary Residence Scheme

The Malta Ordinary Residence Scheme gives EU/EEA nationals, the right to transfer their tax residence to a safe, high quality and tax jurisdiction such as Malta. Applicants for ordinary resident status must buy or rent a property in Malta and must also demonstrate financial independence without being subjected to complex means eligibility testing. Once approved, beneficiaries will be issued with a Maltese e-residence card valid for five years. Beneficiaries of the ordinary residence scheme and who are not domiciled in Malta are taxable on a remittance basis. Accordingly, ordinary residents are not taxable on foreign source income not received in Malta and also not taxable on any capital gains arising outside Malta.

The Malta Residence Programme

The Malta Residence Programme (TRP) gives wealthy EU/EEA nationals and their families who do not enjoy permanent residence status in Malta, the right to take up residence in Malta. Beneficiaries may also have household staff providing a service in their qualifying property, as long as all the requisite procedures are satisfied. For a person to be eligible for the Malta Residence Programme, one must own or rent property which the individual occupies as his principal place of residence worldwide. The Residence Programme (TRP) grants a 15 per cent tax status for the applicant and his family on any income they bring to Malta.

Malta Global Residence Programme

The Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP) gives wealthy non-EU nationals and their families who do not enjoy permanent residence status in Malta, the right to take up residence in Malta. Similar to the Malta Residence Programmes available to EU nationals this gives the beneficiaries the opportunity to have household staff providing a service in their qualifying property, as long as all the requisite procedures are satisfied. For a person to be eligible for the Global Residence Programme, one must own or rent property which the individual occupies as his principal place of residence worldwide. The Global Residence Programme (GRP) grants a 15 per cent tax status for the applicant and his family on any income they bring to Malta.

Benefits of Malta Global Residence Programme
Eligibility Criteria of Malta Global Residence Programme

Malta Residence by Investment

The Malta Residency by Investment Programme is designed to attract reputable individuals and their dependents who are not nationals of the EU/EEA and who are not long term residents or residents in Malta under any other Residence programme. Malta's Schengen membership and full implementation of the Schengen Area Treaty since 2007 offers holders of Maltese investor visas greater ease of travel within the Schengen Area and the right to reside, settle and stay indefinitely in Malta for individuals benefitting under this programme. The Malta Investor Visa Programme beneficiaries who are not domiciled but resident in Malta are taxable on a remittance basis are not subject to pay an annual tax of €15,000. Beneficiaries of this programme are taxable on a remittance basis only on foreign source income remitted to Malta and only to the extent remitted. Individuals are not taxed on foreign source capital remitted to Malta. Income and capital gains arising in Malta are subject to tax while capital gains arising outside Malta fall outside the scope of Maltese tax. This is the same treatment available to all Malta Residence Programmes, with the exception of those that provide a special tax status, capping tax on foreign source income at 15%.

Benefits of Malta Residence by Investment
Eligibility of Malta Residence by Investment

Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme

Launched in 2014, the Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme the Individual Investor Programme, was the first EU-approved citizenship programme open to reputable EU and Non EU individuals and families making an outstanding contribution to the European Island of Malta. Malta Citizenship obtained under this programme grants the rights of full citizenship for life and can be passed on to future generations by descent. Maltese citizenship grants access to all investment opportunities in Malta and throughout the European Union open to Maltese and European Union citizens.  Applicants under the Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme are granted full residence status during their minimum of 12 months residency, allowing free travel within Schengen.  Naturalisation as Maltese citizens under the 2014 Individual Investor Programme, is only open to persons who have passed the strict due diligence of the investment programme, who have completed the significant investment into Malta and who have held their residence in Malta for at least 12 months. 

Benefits of Malta Citizenship by Investment

 

Malta Residence Programmes Comparison

 Ordinary ResidenceThe Residence ProgrammeGlobal Residence ProgrammeMalta Permanent ResidenceMalta Citizenship by Investment 2014
EU / Non-EU onlyEUEUNon-EUNon-EUEU & Non-EU
Gov. Bonds00000
Real EstateRent or Buy property (no minimum value)Buy @ 220,000 / Rent @ 8.750 p.a.Buy @ 220,000 / Rent @ 8.750 p.a.Buy @ 320,000 / Rent @ 10.000 p.a.Buy @ €350,000 / Rent @ €16.000 p.a.
One-time Contribution0€6,000€6,000€30,000€650,000
Minimum Residence6 months000Legal residence for 12 months
Minimum Tax0€15,000€15,00000

Our Maltese Residence Services

Our Malta immigration law practice has over 20 years experience and is Malta's only dedicated specialist immigration law practice.  Our Maltese residence law specialists provide the full gamut of residency services, including:

  • advising you on your chances of success before filing your application.
  • providing you with pre-immigration legal and tax advice.
  • guiding you with the preparation and forwarding of the necessary documentation.
  • vetting and preparing all supporting documentation for submission.
  • corresponding and liaising with client's lawyers and advisors in compiling documentation.
  • keeping you informed with the progress of your application.
  • assisting you with the purchase / rental of property in Malta including applications for AIP permits (foreigners need AIP permit to purchase property in Malta), reviews of your contract, liaising with the Maltese Notary.

Why Chetcuti Cauchi?

The law firm is a leader in investment migration law and advises international families on all aspects of taxation, citizenship and residence law.  The law firm's Maltese citizenship law practice is lead by founder and senior immigration lawyer Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti and senior partner Dr Priscilla Mifsud Partner.

  • Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates is a law firm bound by professional secrecy: lawyer-client privilege is fully protected under Maltese law,
  • The law firm covers the full spectrum of private client law services.
  • Personal partner attention on all matters.
  • Full concierge services available in a friendly and personalised environment.
  • Full-service multi-disciplinary law firm specialising in the use of Malta in international legal and tax planning, company & trust formation & management.

Experience:

  • Chetcuti Cauchi enjoys a sterling reputation in the areas of citizenship and residence planning and in the handling of legal and tax matters relevant to the structuring and planning of personal wealth and personal interests and business worldwide.
  • Over twenty years’ experience in citizenship and residency applications, specialising exclusively on Malta in an international context.

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