Moving to Malta From the UK: Visa Routes, Residence Permits and Eligibility Requirements

Malta is one of Europe’s most popular expatriate destinations, with low crime rates, a beautiful climate, and affordable living costs, where UK nationals can relocate with their families or in retirement to make the most of the relaxed pace of life on an island where English is widely spoken.

As with many high-demand locations across Europe, British nationals hoping to settle in Malta must have a valid visa or permit, given that freedom of movement rights ceased to exist following Brexit in 2020, with multiple potential routes and visa categories to consider.

However, recent European Court of Justice rulings have cast doubt on the future of the Maltese ‘golden visa’ or citizenship by investment programme. Those planning a move may need to revisit their options to ensure they understand the best way forward.

We’ve put together a short list of some of the alternative visas, summarised their benefits, and shared details of the criteria, terms, and duration of each to help prospective expats make informed choices before they apply.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

Expatriates moving to Malta from the UK with sufficient wealth can apply for the MPRP, a residence scheme that replaces the previous Malta Permanent Residence and Visa Programme. Successful applicants benefit from an indefinite right to live in Malta without a minimum stay requirement and the ability to include family members on the application.

This visa requires the main applicant to have proven capital of at least €500,000, €150,000 of which needs to be in financial assets, or a wealth of €650,000 with at least €75,000 in financial assets. They must also make a series of donations and contributions to the Maltese economy as follows:

• Buying property for €375,000 or more, or leasing a property for €14,000 a year or above for a minimum five-year period.
• Making a further €30,000 contribution if purchasing a home or €60,000 if leasing.
• Donating €2,000 to an approved non-governmental organisation.
• Paying a non-refundable application fee of €50,000 plus €10,000 for each dependent.

Applicants must provide evidence of comprehensive private health insurance covering all individuals on the application and pass a clean criminal record check. The primary applicant must be at least 18.

Notably, the MPRP grants ongoing residency rights but is not a direct route to citizenship. That said, after five to seven years of continuous residence, residents may qualify to apply for citizenship by naturalisation, with varied requirements including passing a language examination.

Applying for a Maltese Digital Nomad Visa

Professionals and freelancers intending to live in Malta while working can apply for the Nomad Residence Permit. This enables remote workers who are non-EU citizens to live and work in Malta for up to four years, excluding those relocating to work for a Maltese employer.

There are generous tax advantages, including tax exemptions on most incomes from non-Maltese remote work for the first 12 months and a low flat-rate income tax thereafter, with a financial requirement for applicants to earn €2,700 a month or more.

The eligibility criteria and thresholds include the following:

• Applicants must be over 18 and have the skills and ability to continue working in Malta remotely while meeting the minimum income cap.
• The residency permit is valid for one year and can be renewed for up to four years, although digital nomads must spend five months of each year in Malta to renew.
• Those applying must provide evidence that they have an accommodation base arranged, usually either a lease agreement or purchase contract for a property in Malta.

UK citizens applying for the Nomad Residence Permit cannot use it to transition to permanent residency or citizenship, given the maximum duration, but it could provide a way to relocate as a freelance or self-employed professional while seeking onward employment and a longer-term work visa.

Employment Permits and Professional Visas in Malta

There are numerous potential visas and permits offered to applicants with a confirmed offer of work in Malta. The correct routes will depend on the nature, salary and duration of the employment contract.

As a snapshot, the Key Employee Initiative is a fast-track way for non-EU nationals to receive a work permit for technical and managerial roles with a high level of experience or qualifications and a salary of at least €35,000. This visa is renewable annually for up to three years.

The Specialist Employee Initiative works similarly and is designed for highly skilled applicants who are ineligible for the Key Employee Initiative but who otherwise hold desirable skills and academic or vocational qualifications that align with an employment offer.

Applicants must present a signed offer of employment worth at least €25,000 a year and provide detailed employment and education history with references, alongside other eligibility criteria.

Another option is the Single Permit, which can be applied for by a Maltese employer on behalf of a third-country applicant. It covers an employment period of over six months and has the option to renew.

Retiring in Malta Through the Malta Retirement Programme

Finally, if you intend to retire in Malta, the Malta Retirement Programme may be most applicable. This visa category offers a five-year residence permit that is renewable, provided the holder continues to meet all the requirements.

Prospective retirees must meet these conditions to be eligible:

• Be in receipt of a pension received wholly or transferred to Malta, that comprises at least 75% of their income.
• Purchase a residential home worth at least €275,000 with a lower threshold for properties in Gozo or south Malta, which is used as a permanent home without the option to lease to a third party.
• Alternatively, applicants can rent a property for at least €9,600 a year and live in Malta for at least 90 days per year over a five-year period.

Malta Retirement Programme visa holders are expected to remain Maltese tax residents. Although the minimum stay periods are low, they must avoid spending over 183 days a year in any other jurisdiction and are not eligible for a long-stay or permanent residence visa, regardless of how many times the visa is renewed.

However, there is a tax advantage in that income from outside Malta that is remitted to the country is subject to a low flat rate of 15% tax, with a minimum annual tax liability of €7,500 plus €500 for every dependent or carer.

Independent Advice on Moving to Malta From the UK

As we’ve seen, there are varied visa routes, categories, criteria, and requirements, which can mean that expatriates planning to relocate to Malta require professional advice—not only to establish which visas or permits they are eligible for but also to examine the implications from a tax and global residency position.

If you’d like further advice about any of the visa programmes outlined here or to discuss the best options following the uncertainty over the Maltese citizenship by investment scheme, you are welcome to contact Chase Buchanan Private Wealth Management at your convenience.

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*Information correct as at June 2025