Malta
Secure EU residency via property or capital investment—citizenship in 5 years.
EU Citizenship
Favourable Tax Planning
European access
Overview
Malta, a strategically located island nation in the Mediterranean, is one of the most prestigious and stable jurisdictions in Europe. A member of the European Union, the Schengen Zone, and the Commonwealth, Malta offers investors and families access to a safe, business-friendly, and globally connected environment. With a population of around 520,000 and English as an official language, Malta combines a cosmopolitan lifestyle with deep historical and cultural roots.

The Maltese economy is robust and diverse—driven by financial services, technology, maritime, aviation, and increasingly, blockchain and AI. The country maintains a highly regulated yet agile framework for foreign investors, with transparent governance, an attractive tax regime, and world-class healthcare and education. Its legal and residency frameworks are internationally recognized for their compliance and rigor, making Malta a premium destination for serious global citizens.
Why Malta?
Securing Maltese residency or citizenship is more than a relocation—it is an entrance into the heart of the European Union. Enjoy visa-free travel to over 180 destinations, including the US (through ESTA), Canada, UK, and all EU/Schengen countries. Maltese citizenship offers the right to live, work, and study in any EU country, and comes with an internationally respected passport and strong diplomatic protections. With a stable political system and one of the highest standards of living in Europe, Malta is a natural choice for investors focused on legacy planning, global mobility, and EU market access.

Explore how Malta can secure your family’s future.
Discover how Malta can fit into your global strategy.
Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN)
Malta offers one of the few citizenship-by-investment options within the European Union, via its regulated and rigorous MEIN framework, granting citizenship by naturalization following a period of reside
Qualifying Contributions:
  • €600,000–€750,000 government contribution (depending on length of residency: 36 or 12 months)
  • €10,000 donation to an approved NGO
  • €700,000 property purchase or €16,000/year lease for 5 years
Highlights
  • EU citizenship and passport within 1–3 years
  • No language test required
  • Full Schengen, EU, and global travel rights
  • Includes family (spouse, dependent children under 29, dependent parents over 55)
  • Stringent due diligence ensures international credibility
Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP)
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An attractive residency option for non-EU investors who wish to establish a base in Malta, either for relocation, lifestyle, or business expansion purposes.
Eligibility Requirements:
  • €100,000 in combined government contributions and administrative fees
  • €300,000 property purchase or €10,000/year lease (for 5 years)
  • Valid health insurance and proof of financial self-sufficiency
Advantages
  • Permanent EU residency from Day 1
  • No minimum physical stay required
  • Includes spouse, children, and dependent parents
  • Access to Malta’s tax incentives for foreign investors
  • Access to MaltPathway to long-term EU presence without citizenship obligationa’s tax incentives for foreign investors
Malta - Investment
Malta’s investment scheme historically offered an accelerated route to EU citizenship—but following the April 29, 2025 ECJ ruling, only the residence-by-investment pathway remains active. Investors can still secure EU-standard residency, enjoy high quality of life, and build genuine ties with Malta—while a clear path to naturalisation remains.
Key Benefits
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Legal EU residence for investor and family via property or capital investment.
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Right to live, study and work in Malta and travel within Schengen (short-term visa-free).
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Family inclusion—spouse, children, and parents can qualify under one application.
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Naturalisation possible after 5+ years of genuine residency (no commercial pathway).
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Robust due diligence and genuine link requirements ensure compliance with EU law.
Requirements
To qualify, applicants must meet the following:
Capital Investment in Malta
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€300,000–€350,000 purchase or rental of qualifying property (5-year minimum).
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Or equivalent investment in Malta’s approved financial instruments/funds.
Genuine Residency Requirement
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Demonstrate real, physical presence in Malta over 5+ years.
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Clean Background and sources-of-funds documentation.
Family Inclusion Options
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Additional investment contributions required for spouse/dependents.

Application Process

1
Initial Consultation

Assess profile, investment route, and residency objectives.

1
Consultation & Option Selection

Choose investment route (fund, real estate, bonds, or enterprise)

2
Document Preparation

Immigration forms, proof of funds, background checks.

3
Investment & Submission

Purchase/lease property or invest; submit residency application.

4
Permit Issuance

Receive temporary residence permit; renew annually.

5
Ongoing Compliance

Maintain real residence and investment over the permit period.

6
Naturalisation Application

After ~5 years, apply for Maltese citizenship under standard rules.

Minimum Stay Requirements
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Significant physical presence required: at least ~183 days per year in Malta.
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No accelerated, nominal-residence shortcuts available post-ECJ ruling.
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Genuine integration essential—residency, community ties, and investment continuity.
Malta Citizenship-by-Investment (Until Apr 2025)is Citizenship
Terminated by ECJ—commercial pathway no longer valid
Previously, investors could obtain Maltese (and thus EU) citizenship within 12–36 months through significant donations and property investment. However, the April 29, 2025 ECJ decision struck down the CBI program, ruling it an unlawful "commercialisation" of citizenship that lacked a genuine connection to Malta.
EU Travel Rights
CBI abolished
Residency active
5-Year Naturalisation
Potential Return on Investment
Minimal stay
Pathways to Portugal
Investment
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Enterpreneurship
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 Malta - Business
Malta’s business visa empowers entrepreneurs and professionals to live, work, and build a business in a stable EU jurisdiction, with a route to permanent residency and citizenship via residence. This program offers fast access to Schengen travel, strong financial services, and community integration—all while preserving global mobility and family inclusion.
Key Benefits
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Live and work legally in Malta under a business or employment permit.
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Visa-free short-stay travel throughout the Schengen Area (up to 90 days/180 days).
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Family inclusion, allowing spouse and dependent children to join.
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Residency-to-citizenship path: permanent residence possible after 5 years; citizenship thereafter.   
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Boost to startup ambitions via the Startup Residence Program (from €25K investment).
Requirements for Applicants
To qualify for Malta’s business or entrepreneur visa, you must:
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Demonstrate a valid business plan or secured employment with a Maltese employer.
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Provide proof of accommodation, health insurance, clean criminal record, and sufficient funds.  
Meet minimum investment thresholds, such as:
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€25,000+ into a qualifying startup (Startup Residence), or
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€300K–€650K net worth, plus property purchase/rental and government contributions (Permanent Residence)

Application Process

1
Consultation & Application Strategy

Choose between work-visa, startup route, or residency-by-investment.

2
Prepare Documentation

Business plan/employment offer, proof of funds, background checks, health cover.

3
Submit to Identity Malta

Applies through visa agent or portal.

4
Approval & Permit Issuance

Short-term permit (long-stay National D visa), then residence card.

5
Permit Renewal

Typically annual (business) or 3+5 years (startup), with compliance checks.

6
Permanent Residency & Naturalisation

After 5 years with valid residency, apply for citizenship via integration.

Minimum Stay Requirements
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Residency presence of ~183 days/year is mandatory.
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Work/business permit holders must remain actively engaged in Malta.
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Citizenship eligibility follows 5 years of continuous, genuine residence.
Build and Live in Malta
Mediterranean business hub with an EU edge
Overview:
 Malta offers a politically stable, English-speaking, and tax-friendly environment for entrepreneurs and professionals. Through structured visa programs, applicants gain access to the EU market and high-quality lifestyle, without immediate citizenship—but with a clear path to it after 5 years.
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Legally live and work in an EU
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Bring your family under one permit
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Fast visa processing (1–3 months for long‑stay D visa)
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Startup Residency from €25K investment
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Path to permanent residence, then citizenship after 5 years
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Malta’s double-taxation treaties and EU Schengen access
Malta Citizenship-by-Investment (Until Apr 2025)is Citizenship
Terminated by ECJ—commercial pathway no longer valid
Previously, investors could obtain Maltese (and thus EU) citizenship within 12–36 months through significant donations and property investment. However, the April 29, 2025 ECJ decision struck down the CBI program, ruling it an unlawful "commercialisation" of citizenship that lacked a genuine connection to Malta.
EU Travel Rights
CBI abolished
Residency active
Naturalisation after 5 years
Potential Return on Investment
Minimal stay
Pathways to Portugal

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the visa and billing.

Does the business visa grant citizenship?
How long does visa processing take?
 Can my family join me?
What investment is required for the startup route?
Am I taxed on world income?
What’s the minimum stay required?
Can this citizenship be passed to future generations?

Who is eligible to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?

 Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who make a qualifying investment in Portugal and meet the legal requirements may apply.
2. What are the current qualifying investment options?
€500,000 in a regulated investment fund
€500,000 into a company creating 5+ jobs
€250,000 in support of arts, culture, or heritage (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas)

What are the current qualifying investment options?

€500,000 in a regulated investment fund
€500,000 into a company creating 5+ jobs
€250,000 in support of arts, culture, or heritage (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas)

What are the minimum stay requirements?

Golden Visa holders must spend:
14 days in Portugal during the first 2-year period
21 days over the following 3-year period

Can I include family members in my application?

Yes. The program allows inclusion of a spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents under the same application.

Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

 Yes. After 5 years of legal residency, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet basic requirements, such as language proficiency and ties to Portugal.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

Trusted expertise

Our Track Record

With over 25 years of collective experience, Harper Greene is a trusted advisory firm specializing in global citizenship and residency solutions. We offer bespoke investment strategies to businesses, families, and high net-worth individuals - seamlessly integrating immigration solutions with corporate structuring, legal, tax, and other regulatory considerations.

Our multidisciplinary approach ensures clients receive comprehensive, compliant, and future-ready advice.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the visa and billing.

 Who is eligible to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?
What are the current qualifying investment options?
What are the minimum stay requirements?
Can I include family members in my application?
Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
Am I required to become a tax resident in Portugal?

Who is eligible to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa?

 Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who make a qualifying investment in Portugal and meet the legal requirements may apply.
2. What are the current qualifying investment options?
€500,000 in a regulated investment fund
€500,000 into a company creating 5+ jobs
€250,000 in support of arts, culture, or heritage (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas)

What are the current qualifying investment options?

€500,000 in a regulated investment fund
€500,000 into a company creating 5+ jobs
€250,000 in support of arts, culture, or heritage (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas)

What are the minimum stay requirements?

Golden Visa holders must spend:
14 days in Portugal during the first 2-year period
21 days over the following 3-year period

Can I include family members in my application?

Yes. The program allows inclusion of a spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents under the same application.

Does the Golden Visa lead to citizenship?

 Yes. After 5 years of legal residency, you may apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet basic requirements, such as language proficiency and ties to Portugal.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

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