There are a number of residence options available at law to both EU/EEA/Swiss and non-EU nationals.
EU Nationals
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals and their family members enjoy the right of free movement in the EU, EEA and Switzerland. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals may thus reside in Malta as workers, self-employed persons, economically self-sufficient persons or students without obtaining a permit. EU and EEA nationals who reside in Malta for more than three months must apply for a registration certificate while non-EU family members must apply for a residence card.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals may reside in Malta on the basis of employment or self employed without the need to obtain a license. This effectively allows EU and EEA nationals to freely seek employment in Malta, work as an employee or as self-employed, and start up a business enterprise.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals may reside in Malta on the basis of economic self-sufficiency. Such persons must possess sufficient funds and assets to support themselves and their family members accompanying them in Malta without reliance on Malta’s social security system. Currently, a minimum capital of €14,000 or a weekly income of €92.72 is required in the case of single persons or €23,300 or a weekly income of €105.93 per married couple, with an extra €8.15 per week for each dependent. A comprehensive sickness insurance policy must also be in place.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals may reside in Malta on the basis of study. Eligible EU and EEA nationals include those following an educational course, including vocational training, who are enrolled in a recognized educational institution. However, such persons must possess sufficient resources to support themselves and their family members without reliance on Malta’s social security system and must have a comprehensive sickness insurance policy.
Family members of EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who are residing in Malta on the basis of employment, self-employment, economic self-sufficiency or studies may accompany such persons in Malta. In the context of an EU/EEA/Swiss nationals residing in Malta on the basis of employment, self-employment or economic self-sufficiency, family members include the spouse, children or grandchildren (including those of the spouse) under 21 years of age or who are dependent on the EU/EEA/Swiss national (or the spouse), and dependant parents or grandparents of the EU/EEA/Swiss national (or of the spouse). In the case of students, only the spouse or dependant children are entitled to reside in Malta.
Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, British nationals may continue to reside in Malta under different rules than other non-EU nationals in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement concluded between the EU and the UK which came into effect on the 1st of February 2020. British nationals and their family members who were residing in Malta prior to or on the last day of the transition period, which ended on the 31st December 2020, are entitled to continue to reside in Malta. UK nationals who did not reside in Malta prior to the withdrawal date but who arrived in the country by the withdrawal date are granted the same right. UK nationals who may reside in Malta following the end of the transition period must apply for new residence status after three months of their arrival in Malta or before the 30th June 2021. Eligible applicants shall receive a residence document valid for up to 10 years.
Long Term Residence
Long-Term residence is granted to Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals that have resided legally and continuously in Malta for 5 years immediately prior to the submission of the application. If eligible, this grants its beneficiary a number of advantages such as a residence card with a validity period of 5 years and exemption from the onerous self-employed requirements if the third country national is seeking to set up a business in Malta albeit an employment license is required nonetheless.
Non-EU Nationals
Third-country nationals may obtain a residence permit in relation to a number of employment related cases, such as the single permit, self-employment, highly qualified employment, intra-corporate transferees, seasonal workers and posted workers. More information can be found here. Third-country nationals who obtain a short-stay visa may only reside in the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180 day period.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme grants non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals and their family members the right to reside and settle indefinitely in Malta and benefit from visa-free travel in the Schengen zone.
Applicants must lease an immovable property in the South of Malta or in Gozo for a minimum rent of €10,000 or in the North of Malta for a minimum of €12,000. Alternatively, applicant may purchase a property in the South of Malta for a minimum of €300,000 or in the North of Malta for €350,000. Furthermore, the applicant must make a contribution of €28,000 if purchasing a property of €58,000 if leasing or renting a property. In addition the application would be expected to make a donation of €2,000 to local philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sport or animal welfare NGO registered with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (‘MPRP’) will be launched in 2021, replacing the previous Malta Residence and Visa Programme (‘MRVP’). Click here.
