Permanent residence · Malta Golden Visa · 2026
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
The MPRP — Malta’s “Golden Visa” — gives non-EU nationals and up to four generations of family permanent residence in an EU, Schengen, English-speaking country, with no minimum stay. Here is exactly what it costs in 2026, by family size and property route, sourced and dated.
Last updated 2026-09-04. Reviewed for accuracy by a licensed Malta immigration agent (Zenturo Ltd., licence AKM-DALI). Figures verified against the Residency Malta Agency and S.L. 217.26 — see sources.
A single applicant commits about €474,500 to buy (€375,000 property + €99,500 non-refundable government charges) or €169,500 to rent over five years. Government charges are a €60,000 administrative fee, a €37,000 contribution, a €2,000 NGO donation and a €500 residence card per person. Non-EU applicants, up to four generations, no minimum stay. It grants permanent residence, not citizenship.
Malta MPRP fee breakdown (2026)
| Item | Amount | Basis | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative fee | €60,000 | Main applicant, once | No |
| Government contribution | €37,000 | Per application | No |
| NGO donation | €2,000 | Per application | No |
| Residence card | €500 | Per person, covers 5 years | No |
| Adult dependant fee | €7,500 | Per adult dependant, excl. spouse | No |
| Qualifying property — purchase | ≥ €375,000 | Held 5 years | Asset (recoverable) |
| Qualifying property — rent | ≥ €14,000/yr | Held 5 years | Cost |
Spouse and minor children pay only the €500 card; adult dependants other than the spouse each add €8,000 (€7,500 fee + €500 card). Government charges are the same on the purchase and rental routes.
Malta MPRP cost by family size (2026)
Every row applies the published Residency Malta Agency schedule to a family shape. The rent route is costed over the five-year minimum retention (5 × €14,000); the purchase route shows the €375,000 minimum property value, which is a retained asset.
| Applicant group | People | Government cost | Purchase route | Rent route (5 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single main applicant | 1 | €99,500 | €474,500 | €169,500 |
| Main applicant + spouse | 2 | €100,000 | €475,000 | €170,000 |
| Couple + 2 minor children | 4 | €101,000 | €476,000 | €171,000 |
| Couple + 2 children + 1 parent | 5 | €109,000 | €484,000 | €179,000 |
| Couple + 2 children + 2 parents | 6 | €117,000 | €492,000 | €187,000 |
Government cost is non-refundable; the purchase-route total includes the €375,000 property, a retained asset rather than a sunk cost. Legal, agent, due-diligence and insurance costs are excluded. For your exact family, use the MPRP cost calculator.
Who qualifies, and what else is required
Non-EU nationals + family
Third-country (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) nationals aged 18+, of good standing, who pass due diligence. Up to four generations can be included: spouse, children, parents and grandparents.
Capital assets
Assets of at least €500,000 (of which €150,000 financial), or €650,000 (of which €75,000 financial). Separate from the property and the fees.
Property, cover, no stay
Keep the qualifying property and comprehensive health insurance. There is no minimum stay, but you must maintain the status conditions; cards renew periodically.
Applications may only be filed through a licensed agent. Source: Residency Malta Agency; S.L. 217.26, as amended by LN 310/2024 and LN 146/2025. Verified September 2026.
The process, briefly
In outline: eligibility screening and AML/KYC pre-check; file preparation (IDs, police certificates, financials, insurance, choice of rent or purchase); submission and due diligence; approval in principle; payment of the government fees, contribution and donation and finalising the property; and issuance of residence cards. Typical timeline is around four to six months from a complete submission. The government contribution falls due only after approval in principle.
Go deeper on malta-citizenship.info: MPRP cost calculator · full MPRP guide · 121-question MPRP FAQ.
Key terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| MPRP (Malta Golden Visa) | The Malta Permanent Residence Programme — permanent residence by investment for non-EU nationals under S.L. 217.26, run by the Residency Malta Agency. |
| Government contribution | A €37,000 non-refundable contribution payable as part of the application. |
| Administrative fee | A €60,000 non-refundable fee covering assessment and due diligence. |
| Qualifying property | Residential property meeting the threshold: ≥ €375,000 to buy or ≥ €14,000/year to rent, held 5 years. |
| Adult dependant | A dependent adult other than the spouse (parent, grandparent, adult child), each adding €8,000. |
| Capital assets test | Means test: €500,000 (incl. €150,000 financial) or €650,000 (incl. €75,000 financial). |
Get your exact MPRP cost
Tell us your family and whether you would buy or rent, and we’ll give you an itemised quotation — or run the numbers yourself first.
Try the MPRP cost calculator Get a free assessmentSources & last updated
Verified September 2026. Sources: Residency Malta Agency; the Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, S.L. 217.26, as amended by Legal Notice 310 of 2024 and Legal Notice 146 of 2025.
Reviewed by Zenturo Ltd. Licence: AKM-DALI. Corrections welcome — contact us and we will verify and update.
This page is a sourced informational guide, not legal or tax advice. Totals exclude legal and agent fees; confirm your position with a licensed agent before applying or committing funds.
Common questions
How much does the Malta MPRP cost?
A single applicant commits about €474,500 to buy (€375,000 property + €99,500 government charges) or €169,500 to rent over five years. Charges are a €60,000 administrative fee, €37,000 contribution, €2,000 donation and a €500 card. Agent and legal fees are extra.
What are the MPRP government fees?
For a single applicant, €99,500: a €60,000 administrative fee, €37,000 contribution, €2,000 NGO donation and a €500 residence card. Each adult dependant other than the spouse adds €7,500 plus a €500 card.
Is the administrative fee refundable?
No — the €60,000 administrative fee, the €37,000 contribution and the €2,000 donation are all non-refundable. The administrative fee buys assessment, not approval.
What is the property requirement?
Buy from €375,000 anywhere in Malta including Gozo, or rent from €14,000 a year, held five years. A residential property in Malta must be maintained thereafter.
Is buying cheaper than renting?
Government fees are the same. Buying has a higher headline (~€474,500) but most is a retained, recoverable asset; the five-year rental total (~€169,500) is a cost. They are not directly comparable as spending.
How much does each family member add?
A spouse or minor child adds only the €500 card. Each adult dependant other than the spouse (parent, grandparent, adult child) adds €8,000 — a €7,500 fee plus the €500 card.
Who can be included?
Up to four generations: main applicant, spouse or partner, dependent children (including unmarried, financially dependent adult children) and dependent parents and grandparents, with dependency evidenced.
What capital do I need?
Assets of at least €500,000 (of which €150,000 financial) or €650,000 (of which €75,000 financial). This is a means test, separate from the property and fees.
Is there a minimum stay?
No published minimum stay requirement applies under the MPRP, although beneficiaries are generally expected to maintain a genuine connection with Malta and continue to satisfy the program's ongoing requirements.
Does the MPRP lead to citizenship?
No — it grants permanent residence. Maltese citizenship comes by descent, by naturalisation after residence, or through the discretionary Citizenship by Merit route.
How long does it take?
Around four to six months from a complete submission, with cards issued after post-approval formalities. Due diligence and document readiness drive the timeline.
Can non-EU and US citizens apply?
Yes — the MPRP is for third-country nationals, including US citizens, subject to due diligence. US citizens still report worldwide income to the IRS regardless of Maltese residence.
Is the MPRP affected by Malta’s 2027 tax changes?
No. The 2027 Individual Tax Programme (LN 195/2026) governs the special tax-residence programmes. The MPRP is separate (S.L. 217.26) and unchanged.