Malta no longer sells citizenship through investment. After a Court of Justice of the EU ruling in April 2025, the investment-based citizenship route was repealed and Malta now grants exceptional citizenship only by merit, case by case. What remains open to investors is permanent residence through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), run by the Residency Malta Agency. It gives residence, not a passport.
What the MPRP gives you
- Permanent residence in Malta, with a residence card valid for five years and renewed while the conditions are met;
- visa-free travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 days;
- no obligation to live in Malta;
- the possibility to include dependants in a single application.
Who can apply
Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals with stable, regular financial resources to support themselves and their dependants, a clean criminal record, and no threat to national security, public policy or public health. Nationals of countries restricted by the Agency (for example Russia and Belarus) are not eligible.
What it costs (official figures)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Administrative fee (non-refundable) | €60,000 |
| Government contribution | €37,000 |
| Each adult dependant (excluding the spouse) | €7,500 |
| Residence card (per person, 5 years) | €500 |
| Donation to a registered local NGO | €2,000 |
| Qualifying property: buy at a value of at least, or rent at a minimum per year | €375,000 or €14,000 a year |
The property must be kept for at least five years, after which you must continue to hold a residential property in Malta. You also need health insurance covering Malta and other European countries.
Capital you must be able to show
Either at least €500,000 in total assets, including €150,000 in financial assets, or at least €650,000 in total assets, including €75,000 in financial assets.
How to apply
Applications can only be submitted through an Agent licensed by the Residency Malta Agency. Every person in the application goes through multi-level due diligence, which can extend to donors and business associates. The Agency says decisions are communicated “within a reasonable timeframe” and does not publish processing times.
What about Maltese citizenship?
The MPRP does not itself lead to a passport. Citizenship is now granted only by merit under Article 10(9) of the Citizenship Act, as implemented in 2025. It is discretionary, there is no price list, and each application is assessed individually by the Community Malta Agency. It is not a program you can buy into, so we do not present it as one. If you believe you qualify on merit, we will tell you honestly whether it is realistic.
How GoldPassports helps
We tell you plainly whether MPRP fits your goals, structure the asset evidence and the property choice (purchase versus rental), and, as an authorised agent, prepare and submit your application and guide you through due diligence.
Which countries is the Malta Permanent Residence Programme most popular in?
Where most applicants and prospective investors come from, based on how much interest each country shows.
Most popular in Also popular
- United States
- India
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
- Pakistan
- Canada
- Australia
- Turkiye
- South Africa
- Nigeria
Popularity is estimated from Google search volume for Malta programs (average monthly searches, October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026; source: Google Ads Keyword Planner), among the countries we track. It shows popularity, not eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still buy Maltese citizenship?
No. The investment-based route was repealed in 2025 after a ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU. Malta now grants exceptional citizenship only by merit, on a discretionary, case-by-case basis with no fixed price.
What does the Malta Permanent Residence Programme cost?
The Residency Malta Agency lists a non-refundable administrative fee of €60,000, a government contribution of €37,000, €7,500 per adult dependant (excluding the spouse), a €500 residence card per person and a €2,000 donation to a registered local NGO, plus the property requirement.
What property do I need?
Either buy a qualifying residential property worth at least €375,000, or rent one in Malta or Gozo for at least €14,000 a year. The property must be kept for at least five years, after which you must continue to hold a residential property in Malta.
Do I have to live in Malta?
No. The program does not require you to relocate.
Can I apply directly?
No. Applications must be submitted through an Agent licensed by the Residency Malta Agency, and all applicants undergo multi-level due diligence. GoldPassports is an authorised agent and can submit your application.
How long does it take?
The Agency does not publish processing times and says decisions are communicated within a reasonable timeframe.
Does the MPRP lead to a Maltese passport?
No. It is a residence program. Maltese citizenship by naturalisation follows separate rules and is discretionary.
Can Russian or Belarusian nationals apply?
Not at present. The Agency restricts applications from certain countries and may revise the list.
Related updates
- Which golden visas and citizenship-by-investment programs are still open in 2026? 17 Oct 2026
- Residency vs citizenship by investment: the real differences 13 Oct 2026
- Malta citizenship by investment has ended. What are your options now? 12 Oct 2026
Official sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below and were last verified on 11 October 2026. Rules change; always confirm the current position before investing.
