Citizenship
Explore citizenship by investment options for individuals and families, with advice on the appropriate route and application support.
MPRP — Property Rental
Secure permanent residence through a qualifying Maltese rental home, the required programme payments and financial eligibility checks. Renting allows you to meet the property requirement without buying a home.
€14,000/yearMinimum qualifying residential rent
€169,000Core payments + 5 years’ minimum rent
5 yearsMinimum qualifying-property period
Overview
Route information is set out below.
Requirements
The rental route
The five-year starting budget is €169,000: €99,000 in core payments plus €70,000 in minimum rent. Dependant, card, professional and other costs are additional.
- Rent qualifying residential property in Malta or Gozo for at least €14,000 a year and retain the qualifying arrangement for a minimum of five years.
- After the first five years, continue to maintain a residential property in Malta. Property changes and any subletting must follow the Agency’s rules and required approvals.
- Rent is an ongoing housing expense. It is separate from the administration fee, government contribution and NGO donation.
Required programme payments
Non-refundable administration fee€60,000
Government contribution — rental or purchase€37,000
Donation to an eligible registered NGO€2,000
These three core payments total €99,000, separately from property. The administration fee is staged: €15,000 within one month of application and €45,000 within two months of approval in principle. The government contribution is due within the prescribed eight-month completion period.
A €7,500 administration fee applies to each qualifying adult dependant other than the spouse/partner and the exempt disability category. Minor children are exempt from that dependant fee. Residence cards currently cost €500 per person for five years; professional services, insurance and property-related costs must also be planned.
Choose one capital-asset test
€500,000 total assets
At least €150,000 must be financial assets.
€650,000 total assets
At least €75,000 must be financial assets.
Maintain the required capital for the first five years and show stable, regular resources sufficient to support your household without Maltese social assistance. These asset tests are eligibility requirements, not fees paid to the government. The licensed agent must confirm acceptable evidence and the treatment of any qualifying property.
Initial application essentials
- The main applicant must be at least 18 and an eligible non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss national. The Agency’s current nationality, sanctions and incompatible-status restrictions must be checked before applying.
- Submit through a Residency Malta Licensed Agent and pass the required due-diligence, conduct, health and source-of-wealth checks. Approval is not automatic.
- Provide passports, civil-status and dependency evidence, police certificates and the financial and medical records required for the household.
- Hold the required health insurance for the main applicant and dependants, covering the risks and geographic scope required by the Agency.
- No Maltese or English language test is imposed by MPRP. Forms and supporting documents must be in English or have the required authenticated English translation.
Who can be included?
Spouse or qualifying partner
A spouse in a monogamous marriage or a relationship recognised under the programme, including qualifying civil or equivalent partnerships.
Children
Children under 18, including adopted children. Adult children must be unmarried, principally dependent and not yet 29 at application. A separate category covers adult children with a certified qualifying disability.
Parents and grandparents
Parents or grandparents of the applicant or spouse may qualify if they are principally dependent and not in full-time employment. Dependency must be evidenced to the Agency’s satisfaction.
Every dependant is assessed
Provide the relevant birth, marriage, adoption, partnership, custody or disability evidence. Eligibility and fees for relatives added after approval must be assessed separately.
Process and Procedure
-
Check eligibility and the household
Assess nationality, assets, income and each proposed dependant. Appoint a Residency Malta Licensed Agent and agree the required evidence and service scope.
-
Submit the complete application
The licensed agent submits the file and the initial administration payment is made within the required period. A separate temporary-residence application may be available while processing continues.
-
Complete due diligence
The Agency checks the application, finances and background and may request further information. The timetable depends on the case and document completeness; there is no guaranteed approval date.
-
Receive approval in principle
If approved in principle, follow the payment schedule and the eight-month completion window for the required final proofs. The remaining administration balance has a shorter two-month deadline.
-
Complete property and final proofs
Provide the qualifying lease or purchase, contribution, NGO donation, insurance and any further evidence required. Arrange lawful travel and the family’s biometric appointments as instructed.
-
Receive and maintain residence
After final approval, receive the permanent residence certificate and residence cards. Keep insurance, property and compliance evidence current, complete annual reviews during the first five years and renew cards when required.
Indicative MPRP planning: around 9 months
This is an application-processing estimate; document preparation, due diligence and final formalities can affect completion. You can initially undertake to rent or buy by declaration. Complete the property requirement after approval in principle, within the prescribed eight-month period.
Long-Term Status and Citizenship
Keeping your permanent residence
The certificate allows indefinite residence while programme conditions continue to be met. Residence cards are issued for a limited validity period and must be renewed. Keep a Maltese residential property, valid travel documents, insurance and sufficient resources; notify the Agency of relevant changes.
Work and tax position
MPRP does not itself grant an employment licence or unrestricted rights to work across the EU. Obtain the relevant Maltese work authorisation before starting employment. MPRP also carries no automatic tax grants or incentives; tax treatment depends on your circumstances and the applicable Maltese rules.
Permanent residence and nationality are separate
MPRP residence status
MPRP grants permanent residence in Malta while its conditions are maintained. It is not Maltese citizenship or an automatic EU long-term resident status under a different legal framework.
Citizenship residence test
Ordinary naturalisation generally requires residence throughout the 12 months immediately before applying and an aggregate four years during the preceding six years. Merely holding an MPRP certificate does not satisfy this physical-residence test.
Language, character and suitability
Applicants must have adequate knowledge of Maltese or English, be of good character and satisfy the suitability and other statutory requirements. The Minister retains discretion to grant or refuse.
No passport timetable
There is no guaranteed passport after five years of MPRP membership. Any nationality application is a separate process, and Malta permits dual or multiple citizenship subject to the rules of the other country.