Malta Permanent Residence Programme: Key Changes Coming in 2025

At Kyshen International, we strive to keep our clients informed of the latest developments regarding residency options in Malta. We have been notified by the Residency Malta Agency about important revisions to the current legislation (SL 217.26) governing the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). These changes will come into effect on January 1, 2025, as outlined in Legal Notice No 310 of 2024.

The MPRP, which was designed to offer valuable solutions for fit-and-proper individuals and families wishing to relocate to Malta or hold a second residency, will undergo significant revisions. These adjustments aim to reflect current economic and market trends while maintaining the programme’s unique position in the residency-by-investment landscape.

As part of these improvements, the Malta Residency Agency is revising the eligibility criteria and investment requirements to enhance the attractiveness of the programme for prospective applicants. Additionally, the agency is committed to improving internal processes to significantly reduce processing timelines, ensuring that robust due diligence checks are maintained.

Key Changes Effective January 1, 2025:

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Main Applicants must provide evidence of assets valued at no less than €500,000, with at least €150,000 in financial assets, or a total value of €650,000 with at least €75,000 in financial assets.
2. An adult child of the Main Applicant or spouse may qualify as a dependent if they are over 18 but under 29 years of age, unmarried, and chiefly dependent on the Main Applicant.

Qualifying Property:

1. Purchased property must have a minimum value of €375,000 in Malta or Gozo.
2. Rented property must be leased at a minimum annual rent of €14,000 in Malta or Gozo.

Administration Fees / Contributions:

1. A non-refundable administration fee of €50,000 for the Main Applicant, with €15,000 payable within one month of application submission and the remaining €35,000 due within two months of receiving the Letter of Approval in Principle.
2. A fee of €10,000 for each dependent (spouse, children, parents, and grandparents), with €5,000 as a non-refundable administration fee payable within two months of the Letter of Approval in Principle, and the remaining €5,000 due within eight months.
3. A contribution of €30,000 for qualifying owned property or €60,000 for qualifying rented property, payable within eight months of the Letter of Approval in Principle.

It is important to note that applicants who submit their applications before these new regulations come into effect will continue to be governed by the existing regulations at the time of their application.

At Kyshen International, we are dedicated to assisting our clients in navigating these changes to maximize the benefits of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. Please feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries regarding the new eligibility criteria or investment requirements.