The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) grants permanent residency to non-EU nationals who make a qualifying property investment alongside fixed government contributions. It is one of the reasons non-EU buyers purchase property in Malta beyond simple owner-occupation or rental yield.
Property investment routes
Applicants must either buy or lease a qualifying residential property:
- Purchase route: minimum €375,000. The property must be residential - a hotel unit or comparable accommodation does not qualify.
- Lease route: minimum €14,000 per year, with the lease registered with the Housing Authority.
Property bought to satisfy the MPRP can reportedly be rented out immediately on a short-term basis, though applicants should confirm current rules with an immigration specialist before relying on this - and note that short-let letting still requires an MTA licence regardless of MPRP status, see Renting Out Property in Malta.
Non-EU nationals weighing tax residence rather than permanent residence may also want to compare this against the Global Residence Programme, which has lower property thresholds but grants a tax status rather than permanent residency. See Malta Residency & Tax Programmes Compared for both side by side, including why citizenship-by-investment is no longer an option.
Government fees, beyond the property
The property investment is only part of the cost. MPRP applicants also pay:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Administration fee (non-refundable) | €60,000 - €15,000 on submission, €45,000 on Approval in Principle |
| Government contribution | €37,000 |
| NGO/philanthropic donation | €2,000 |
| Total, excluding the property itself | €99,000 |
Processing time
Processing has been cited at roughly 6–12 months from submission of a complete application.
How this relates to buying property generally
An MPRP purchase still goes through the same promise of sale process and incurs standard stamp duty like any other purchase - the MPRP investment thresholds are a residency-programme requirement layered on top of, not a replacement for, Malta’s ordinary property transaction process. This guide is informational only; MPRP applications should be handled through a licensed agent authorised under the programme.
Sources
- Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) 2026 - Requirements, Costs, Timeline - Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates