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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Malta · Residence permit

How an adult child with special needs was included in Malta's permanent residence

For families with an adult child with special needs, the second question after "how to relocate" is "will he be able to join us under the status." Age is a concern: many programs exclude children upon reaching adulthood. However, Malta's permanent residence (MPRP) focuses not on age, but on dependency. Our client wanted to obtain status together with his adult son with special needs. We explain how we confirmed his dependency and included him in the application.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time9 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How an adult child with special needs was included in Malta's permanent residence
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Nina, about 55, from Moscow, with her husband and adult son with special needs
Objective
Malta permanent residence for the entire family, including the adult son
Programme
Malta, Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
Concern
that the adult child could not be included due to age
Key point
MPRP permits a dependent adult child - the focus is on dependency, not age
What was proven
the son's financial and factual dependency on the applicant
Result
son included in MPRP together with the family

Client story

Client's story

Where they started

A family approached us for whom the question of status was inseparable from caring for their adult son with special needs. He was not independent - he was financially and practically dependent on his parents - and they could not leave him out of the relocation process. Their primary concern was typical: since their son was of legal age, they could not include him as a child, and the family would be "separated" by age.

Why the standard route did not work

It is important to understand the logic of Malta's permanent residence programme. MPRP permits the inclusion of dependent family members in the application, and for children, the key factor is not age itself, but dependency. An adult child who is not economically self-sufficient and genuinely depends on the principal applicant can be included as a dependent person. For a child with special needs, this is particularly relevant: their dependency is typically stable and demonstrable.

What BRIDGES had to solve

Therefore, the work was not about "circumventing age," but about correctly proving dependency: demonstrating that the son is supported by his parents and does not lead an independent economic life, and substantiating this with documentation. The quality of evidence of dependency determines whether an adult child will be accepted as a dependent person.

Why a standard answer would not do

At BRIDGES, we prepared a complete family case and separately addressed the inclusion of the adult son: we confirmed his financial and factual dependency on the applicant and proceeded with his application as a dependent family member. The family obtained Malta's permanent residence together, leaving no one behind based on the formal criterion of age.

Our son is an adult but depends on us for everything, and we feared he would not be included. Hanna proved his dependency with documents and worked out how he will be protected in the future. Our son is in the status with us.

Nina · mother of an adult sonThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

What was at risk

What was at risk

There was no threat of loss - there was a risk that the family would be separated based on a formal criterion. If they decided that the adult son could not be included due to age, the parents could either refuse relocation or leave him without status. The key was to understand that MPRP focuses on dependency, not age, and to correctly prove the son's dependency.

that for MPRP, the key factor is the family member's dependency, not age itself;

  1. 01that an adult child who is not economically self-sufficient and depends on the applicant can be included;
  2. 02that for a child with special needs, dependency is typically stable and demonstrable;
  3. 03that dependency must be proven with documentation, not merely stated;
  4. 04that the quality of evidence determines whether an adult child will be accepted as a dependent person.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    We eliminated age-related concerns. First, we explained to the family that MPRP assesses dependence, not majority age - meaning an adult son can be included if we prove his dependence.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    We identified the basis for inclusion. We established that the son is included as a dependent family member and built the evidentiary part around this basis.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    We gathered evidence of dependence. We prepared documents confirming that the son is financially supported by his parents and does not lead an independent economic life - this is what decides the matter.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    We accounted for special needs. We reflected the sustained nature of the son's dependence related to his special needs - which strengthened the evidence.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    We submitted the full family composition. We filed the application for everyone at once, including the son as a dependent, rather than processing him separately.

Takeaway. Conclusion: MPRP when including children looks at dependence, not age; an adult child who depends on the applicant can be included as a dependent - which is particularly applicable in cases of special needs. The key is to documentally prove dependence.

How we solved the issue

How we solved the issue

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    We eliminated age-related concerns

    First, we explained to the family that MPRP assesses dependence, not majority age - meaning an adult son can be included if we prove his dependence.

  2. 02

    We identified the basis for inclusion

    We established that the son is included as a dependent family member and built the evidentiary part around this basis.

  3. 03

    We gathered evidence of dependence

    We prepared documents confirming that the son is financially supported by his parents and does not lead an independent economic life - this is what decides the matter.

  4. 04

    We accounted for special needs

    We reflected the sustained nature of the son's dependence related to his special needs - which strengthened the evidence.

  5. 05

    We submitted the full family composition

    We filed the application for everyone at once, including the son as a dependent, rather than processing him separately.

  6. 06

    We obtained permanent residence for the entire family

    The family obtained Malta's permanent residence status in full composition, including the adult son. Age did not separate the family - because we proved the dependence, which is what the programme evaluates.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01We eliminated age-related concerns
  2. 02We identified the basis for inclusion
  3. 03We gathered evidence of dependence
  4. 04We accounted for special needs
  5. 05We submitted the full family composition
  6. 06We obtained permanent residence for the entire family

The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.

Expert comment

This is a very human case, and I am pleased that Malta offers a good solution for it. Parents of an adult child with special needs always fear one thing: that due to majority age, he will be "cut off" and the family will be separated. But MPRP does not look at age - it looks at dependence. If an adult child is not economically self-sufficient and genuinely depends on the applicant, he can be included as a dependent. For a child with special needs, this is particularly applicable - his dependence is sustained and well-documented. Our work here is not to "circumvent age," but to carefully and documentally prove dependence: that he is supported by his parents and does not lead an independent life. We did this, and the family obtained permanent residence together, including the son. No one had to be left out because of a formal number in the passport.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we accomplished it · Result
Not to separate the family
Inclusion based on dependence · Age is not an obstacle
Basis for the son
Dependent person · Correct inclusion status
Prove dependence
Documents of financial support · Dependence proven
Obtain permanent residence for all
Application for full family composition · Status for the entire family
Obtain permanent residence for all
Application for full family composition · Status for the entire family

What was: the family wanted to obtain Malta's permanent residence together with their adult son with special needs and feared he could not be included due to age. What we did: eliminated age concerns; identified the basis for inclusion; gathered evidence of dependence; accounted for special needs; submitted the full family composition. What the client received: Malta permanent residence for the entire family, including the adult son as a dependent.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: MPRP when including children looks at dependence, not age; an adult child who depends on the applicant can be included as a dependent - which is particularly applicable in cases of special needs. The key is to documentally prove dependence.
  • The family obtained permanent residence together with the adult son - because we proved his dependence, which is what the programme evaluates, rather than getting stuck on age.
  • MPRP allows adult dependent family members to be included if special needs are proven. We will look at your family.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can an adult child be included in Malta's permanent residence programme?

Yes, if he is a dependent: not economically self-sufficient and genuinely depends on the principal applicant. MPRP looks at dependence, not age per se. Dependence must be proven documentally.

02Does it matter that the child has special needs?

This typically strengthens the evidence: a child with special needs' dependence is sustained and well-documented. However, the basis for inclusion is the proven dependence itself, not the diagnosis per se.

03What is needed to prove dependence?

Documents demonstrating that the adult child is financially dependent on the applicant and does not lead an independent economic life. The quality of this evidence determines whether they will qualify as a dependent person.

04Who else can be included in the MPRP?

Generally, a spouse, children (including dependent adults), and dependent parents subject to conditions. The exact composition and conditions are determined by the competent Maltese authority; confirm current regulations with your consultant.

05Is the child's age irrelevant?

Dependency is what matters. Reaching adulthood does not automatically preclude inclusion: if dependency on the applicant is proven, an adult child can be included as a dependent person.

06Which documents were key in this case?

We eliminated age-related concerns. First, we explained to the family that MPRP assesses dependence, not majority age - meaning an adult son can be included if we prove his dependence. We identified the basis for inclusion. We established that the son is included as a dependent family member and built the evidentiary part around this basis.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

It is important to understand the logic of Malta's permanent residence programme. MPRP permits the inclusion of dependent family members in the application, and for children, the key factor is not age itself, but dependency. An adult child who is not economically self-sufficient and genuinely depends on the principal applicant can be included as a dependent person. For a child with special needs, this is particularly relevant: their dependency is typically stable and demonstrable.

08What risk had to be closed before filing?

There was no threat of loss - there was a risk that the family would be separated based on a formal criterion. If they decided that the adult son could not be included due to age, the parents could either refuse relocation or leave him without status. The key was to understand that MPRP focuses on dependency, not age, and to correctly prove the son's dependency. that for MPRP, the key factor is the family member's dependency, not age itself;

09How did BRIDGES check that the chosen solution would hold?

We submitted the full family composition. We filed the application for everyone at once, including the son as a dependent, rather than processing him separately. We obtained permanent residence for the entire family. The family obtained Malta's permanent residence status in full composition, including the adult son. Age did not separate the family - because we proved the dependence, which is what the programme evaluates.

About the author

Sergey Evdokimov

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.