A free PDF guide — the status is open-ended
A guide to permanent residence in Malta underthe MPRP: the terms, the cost and the check
Permanent residence in the European Union from the start, with no interim cards and no renewals. Two ways in — buying a property from €375,000 or renting. We set out the full budget, how deep the check goes and what the status really gives.
- PDF in English
- Free of charge
- Verified on 11.08.2026
- Sent by email, WhatsApp or Telegram
Preliminary information is not a guarantee of approval. Whether the programme is open to you and the final cost are settled after the check on the applicant.
01 / The essentials first
What to know about the programme before the calculation
Four things that decide the budget and the chances of approval.
- The status is permanent and open-ended
The MPRP gives permanent residence from the start, with no interim cards and no renewals. That is what sets Malta apart from the programmes with a temporary permit.
- Two ways in: buying or renting
Buy a property from €375,000 or take a lease. Renting means no large sum is tied up, but the state contribution is paid either way.
- One of the strictest checks there is
Malta carries out deep due diligence. The file is prepared thoroughly, with the origin of the funds fully evidenced — and some applicants fall at that hurdle.
- Schengen means travel, not living there
The status allows 90 days in every 180 in the other countries of the area. To live permanently in another EU country you need that country’s own status.
02 / The budget
The budget for your family
Choose the way in and the family. The state contribution and the check are counted separately from the cost of the housing.
03 / Two ways in
Buying or renting
The status is the same; the difference is in the money — tying up capital in a property, or paying rent with nothing to show.
The values were checked against the official material on 11.08.2026. Only the rows for which there is no official wording are marked separately.
| Criterion | BuyingA property from €375,000 | RentingA lease of a home |
|---|---|---|
| The investment in housing | from €375,000 | the rent payable under the lease |
| Capital tied up | yes, in the property | none |
| The state contribution | payable | payable |
| Getting the money back | by selling the property once the holding period ends | the rent is not returned |
| The condition for keeping the status | the property is owned for the set period | the lease runs for the set period |
| Where you stand in the long runA BRIDGES estimate | the asset is still yours | the costs, with nothing to show |
| Who it usually suitsA BRIDGES estimate | Ready to put money into an asset | Unwilling to tie up capital |
- The investment in housing
- from €375,000
- the rent payable under the lease
- Capital tied up
- yes, in the property
- none
- The state contribution
- payable
- payable
- Getting the money back
- by selling the property once the holding period ends
- the rent is not returned
- The condition for keeping the status
- the property is owned for the set period
- the lease runs for the set period
- Where you stand in the long runA BRIDGES estimate
- the asset is still yours
- the costs, with nothing to show
- Who it usually suitsA BRIDGES estimate
- Ready to put money into an asset
- Unwilling to tie up capital
The state contribution is paid on either route and is not returned, unlike the price of the property bought.
04 / The country
What the country looks like
Briefly about the country and about what sets the terms of the programme.
- VallettaThe cover of the guide: the country and the key terms of the programme.
- The essentials firstWhat to know before the calculation: the key facts of the programme.
- The terms of the optionsThe parameters of the programme in one table, on the official terms.
- The road mapThe process step by step — from the check to the documents.
- The check on the applicantWhat is examined before the status is granted, and where people stumble.
- The limitsThe limits that bear on the timings and the sum.
- Your teamWho runs the case and what each specialist answers for.
05 / The order of work
How the process runs
The filing goes through a licensed agent, and the main stage is not the transaction but the check on the applicant.
- The preliminary check
The nationality, the family, the source of funds. Malta checks strictly, so the weak points are found before filing.
- Choosing the way in
Buying a property or renting. We count the full budget together with the state contribution and the fees.
- Preparing the file
The origin of the funds fully evidenced, the certificates, the family’s documents, legalisation and translations.
- Filing and due diligence
The application goes through a licensed agent. The applicant and every member of the family go through a deep check.
- The transaction or the lease
Once approved, the purchase or the lease is arranged and the state contribution paid.
- The status is granted
Permanent residence. The whole process takes 6-8 months. A visit to Malta is needed for the biometrics.
07 / The check
What Malta examines
One of the deepest checks in Europe. It is prepared for before filing, not as you go along.
- The origin of the funds
The main part of the file. A clear chain is needed from the earnings to the account the programme payments come from.
- A check on the whole family
Everyone in the application goes through due diligence, adult children and parents included.
- The property or the lease
The housing has to meet the requirements of the programme and be kept for the set period.
- No criminal record, and reputation
Certificates of no criminal record and a check against the international lists. Earlier refusals are disclosed in advance.
Everyone in the application goes through the check, adult children and dependent parents included.
08 / The limits
What to take into account in advance
Five limits that bear on the costs and on what the status gives you.
The state contribution is not returnedUnlike the price of the property
The contribution under the programme is a cost. Only the price of the property bought can come back, by selling it once the holding period ends.
The housing has to be keptThe property or the lease for the set period
Selling the property early or ending the lease means the status is cancelled.
A strict checkOne of the deepest in Europe
Malta examines applicants more thoroughly than most programmes. An unclear history of the funds is the chief reason for refusals.
Schengen is for travel only90 days in every 180
The status carries no right to live permanently in another EU country — that country’s own residence permit is needed for it.
Citizenship is a separate pathThe MPRP leads to no passport
The programme gives residence. Citizenship of Malta is granted only on the grounds in Cap. 188 — the investment scheme closed in 2025.
09 / Your team
Who runs your case
The work is led by specialists in the European programmes and in preparing files.
Daniel KovachSenior International Law AttorneyRepatriation and archive documents
Sofia MendesInvestment Migration ExpertPassive income and digital nomads
Darya MelnikSenior Investment Migration AdvisorPersonal client support
Martin DvorzhakDocument Processing SpecialistApostille, legalisation, translationsThe editorial record
The material was prepared and checked by
- First published
- 11 August 2026
- Last updated
- 11 August 2026
The official sources
- The Residency Malta Agency — the official site of the programmeThe Government of Malta · checked 11.08.2026The terms of the MPRP, the housing requirements, the contributions and how to file through a licensed agent.
- Identità — the identity agency of MaltaThe Government of Malta · checked 11.08.2026The issue of the resident’s documents and the biometrics.
- Legislation Malta — the statute bookThe Government of Malta · checked 11.08.2026The legal basis of the programme and the related procedures.
10 / Common questions
Questions about permanent residence in Malta
What does the MPRP give?
Permanent residence in Malta — an open-ended status in an EU country, with no renewals and no requirement to live there.
How much has to be invested?
Two ways: buying a property from €375,000, or renting a home under a lease. In both cases the state contribution is paid separately.
Which is better — buying or renting?
Buying ties up capital, but the asset stays yours and can be sold once the holding period ends. Renting needs no large sum, but the payments do not come back.
Do I have to live in Malta?
No, there is no residence requirement. A visit is needed for the biometrics; everything else is arranged remotely.
Does the status give the right to live in another EU country?
No. The status allows you to be in the other Schengen countries for 90 days in every 180. To live there permanently you need that country’s status.
How strict is the check?
One of the deepest in Europe. Everyone in the application is examined, and the main question is the origin of the funds.
How long does it take?
6-8 months with a complete set of documents.
Does the MPRP lead to citizenship?
No. This is residence. Citizenship of Malta is possible only on the grounds in Cap. 188: descent, birth to a citizen, marriage or naturalisation.
Free of charge
Take the guide and a quotation for your family
We will send the PDF with the terms of the programme and a budget calculation for your family.
- The two ways in and the full budget for each
- What Malta examines and how the file is built
- The conditions for keeping the status
- What the status gives you in the Schengen area, and what it does not