Malta Golden Visas & Citizenship for Investors

Malta Investor Visas

Malta is a very attractive location for a private residence. The island nation enjoys a stable political climate and is strategically located with excellent air links. The Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP) offers non-Maltese persons the possibility of acquiring an EU residence card which offers visa-free travel within the Schengen area. Minimum requirements:

• An investment in government bonds of EUR 250,000 to be retained for a minimum period of five years
• Property purchase of EUR 320,000 (EUR 270,000 in South Malta or Gozo)

OR

• A property lease of EUR 12,000 per annum (EUR 10,000 in South Malta or Gozo)
• A non-refundable government contribution of EUR 30,000 (EUR 5,500 of which is an advance government administrative fee)

Benefits of MRVP:

• EU residence card gives visa-free travel within the Schengen area
• Right to reside indefinitely in Malta
• Five years’ permanent residence, renewable indefinitely
• Investment required only for the first five years
• No residence requirement
• Taxed only on Maltese source income and remitted income
• Family members can be included

Procedures and Time-Frame:

The MRVP application requirements and procedures are reasonable and straightforward. The application is submitted to Identity Malta, the government agency responsible for applications, with a non-refundable deposit of the contribution amount in the sum of EUR 5,500. After stringent due diligence checks, successful applicants will be requested to complete the qualifying investments and will then be issued a residence permit. Identity Malta will issue successful applicants with a Maltese Residence Certificate which will be deemed to be a permit. The certificate will be monitored annually for the first five years from its issue, and every five years thereafter.

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Complete our enquiry form to find out more from our experts to ensure you secure your EU residency and Maltese citizenship.

Citizenship by Investment In Malta

The government of Malta established the Individual Investor Programme (IIP) in 2014. The Malta IIP is aimed at ultra-high net worth individuals and families worldwide. It offers citizenship in an EU Member State that is stable, neutral and highly respected, an efficient application process, and the world’s strictest due diligence standards and vetting of applicants, thus ensuring only highly respectable clients will be admitted.

EU citizenship gives the right of establishment in all 28 EU countries.

Citizenship is granted to suitable individuals and families who hold resident status in Malta for a period of twelve months immediately preceding the day of issuing of the certificate of naturalisation and who qualify under the very strict due diligence regime. All individuals and families applying to the Malta Individual Investor Programme must make a significant contribution to the National Development and Social Fund established by the Government. The minimum contribution levels that must be met in the initial phase of the program have been set as follows:

• Contribution to National Development and Social Fund of EUR 650,000 for the main applicant
• Contribution for spouse and minor children: EUR 25,000 each
• Contribution for dependent children 18 to 26 years or dependent parents above 55 years: EUR 50,000 each

Furthermore, Due Diligence fees apply, and these have been set at the following levels: For the main applicant: EUR 7,500; for the spouses, adult children and parents: EUR 5,000; for children between 13 and 18 years of age: EUR 3,000 each.

The applicant must commit to retaining a residence in Malta for a period of at least 5 years, either through the purchase of a property, for which the minimum value must exceed EUR 350,000 or through leasing of a property, for which the minimum annual rent must exceed EUR 16,000.

In addition, an investment of EUR 150,000 in Government approved financial instruments, which must be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years is required.

When you acquire citizenship under the Malta Individual Investor Programme, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.

The Law in Malta

Although a former British dependency, Maltese law is codified and there is no British "common law" tradition. Broadly speaking, the law is divided into two main branches, the Civil law and Criminal law, which follow different traditions.

Maltese Civil law is based on the Napoleonic Code, itself based on the older Roman Law concepts. Therefore, particularly in the older areas of civil law, especially those concerning property, contracts, obligations and so on, Maltese law is very similar to French and Italian law and reference is often made to French and Italian authors in the interpretation of Maltese law.

In the Criminal Law field, however, Malta has borrowed heavily from the British system. Therefore all trials are tried by juries (except for lesser offences) and the whole system is based on the British Criminal Law set-up.

In the newer fields of law, particularly in the environmental, financial, company and fiscal legislative areas, a large number of new laws have been enacted over the past ten years and these tend to be borrowed from other countries (in particular from Britain) and adapted to Maltese requirements. Today Malta is amending its body of laws to bring it into line with the laws of the European Union for which Malta has applied for membership and is now in the process of negotiations.

Malta offers many advantages, including:

• Very low-income tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax
• Favourable double-taxation agreements with key countries
• Highly respected jurisdiction for incorporating low-tax companies
• Excellent banking centre with a presence of major international banks
• Ideal location in the centre of the Mediterranean
• Excellent access by sea and the international airport of Malta
• English-speaking environment, high standard of living

Geography

The Republic of Malta consists of three islands, situated just 80 kilometres off the southern coast of Sicily, Italy, in the centre of the Mediterranean sea. The climate is typically Mediterranean with scare rainfall between March and October. The population is just under 400,000 and the official languages are English and Maltese, though Italian is widely spoken.

Political situation

Malta became independent from Britain in 1964 and is a Republic since 1973. It is a democratic country with respect for the rule of law. Malta is a member of the major international organizations including the United Nations and the Council of Europe, the International Monetary Fund and is a member of the European Union as well as the Eurozone and the Schengen Area.

Living in Malta

Malta has a sound infrastructural setup. Telecommunications, postal and courier services, banking and all other services are generally very efficient and of a high standard. The national airline, Air Malta, operates 35 flight routes, mostly within Europe and the Mediterranean region, and most major European airlines have frequent flights to Malta. There is a regular sea link with Italy.

Malta is one of the most attractive locations in Europe for tax-advantaged private residence.

The English-speaking population makes integration and communication easy. All official documentation is in English, commercial and business relationships are in English, and laws are in English and Maltese. There are also private English-speaking schools, which offer a high level of education; the University is open to children of Permanent Residents. There are also a number of private hospitals offering a high-quality medical service. Malta has been ranked 5th in the world by the World Health Organization for medical services and facilities.

While Malta has a high standard of living, comparable to other European countries of the Mediterranean region, the cost of living is generally lower than in Europe. It is, therefore, possible to live a comfortable life with lesser expenses. Life is more laid back than in Europe, and particularly in Gozo the pace of life is slow and relaxed and the charm of this little island is difficult to get away from. The crime rate is very low, drug abuse is still very limited and is not a problem. Children can be very safely brought up and there is a general care and awareness given by the people to children and elderly persons, particularly where foreigners are concerned. Most foreigners who come to live in Malta are surprised at the help and attention they are given by the local population.

The warm climate is a particular attraction to persons coming from colder regions of the world. Particularly in spring and autumn, Malta is an excellent place to be.

The taxes imposed on Permanent Residents are very low. The low tax rate, coupled with the many double taxation treaties that Malta has negotiated with other countries, makes residence in Malta a very attractive solution for high-net-worth individuals. An income tax of just 15% is levied only on income brought into Malta. There is no tax on worldwide income or assets.