Last Updated on 24th September 2025
In a series of announcements made by the Maltese government, the popular Permanent Residence Program, or MPRP, has been dramatically reformed. This visa scheme allows non-EU nationals the ability to secure permanent residency status, with varied eligibility criteria and conditions.
Designed to make the scheme more accessible and attract more wealthy investors to the country, the updates are widely seen as beneficial, with faster processing times, reductions in visa application fees, and broadened rights for expat residents to, for example, earn income from real estate.
We’ve summarised all the main changes below, based on the most recent updates released in July, while noting that the latest reformed terms can be backdated to applications submitted since 1st January 2025 onward.
Malta’s Permanent Residence Program Now Grants Immediate Temporary Residency Status
Foreign nationals wishing to apply to the MPRP previously needed to wait for approval and couldn’t take action to relocate to Malta until they had received the necessary permissions.
Under the new rules, they will receive a temporary residency card, which is valid for one year on a renewable basis, following payment of the €15,000 application charge. The permit will be provided when:
- The MPRP application and remittance have been received
- Malta’s licensing agency has completed initial checks
The temporary residence permit doesn’t automatically mean that the visa will be granted, and screening will still be carried out. However, this will not involve waiting for an in-depth assessment of the application and means that prospective expats can go ahead and relocate.
This change was introduced in response to a growing number of families applying to the MPRP, with the government looking for a solution that would avoid any issues around rushed visa processing, but that would allow foreign nationals to purchase or rent a home and organise other aspects of life in Malta, such as school places for children.
Reduced Application Costs for Malta’s Permanent Residence Program
Another change, primarily intended to make the MPRP more attractive to families, has resulted in the reduction of several fees linked to the visa, particularly for those intending to rent a property following their relocation. In summary:
- Government contributions made are now the same regardless of whether the applicant plans to buy or rent a home. Previously, those purchasing real estate made a lower €30,000 contribution, compared to €60,000 for renters. Now, all applicants will be expected to remit €37,000 to the Maltese government.
- Additional contributions of €10,000 per dependent family member included on the application have been removed entirely for spouses and children under 18 and lowered to €7,500 for dependent children aged 18 or above.
- Administration fees have been simplified, with a second government contribution of €45,000 payable within two months of visa approval, in addition to the original €15,000 fee.
Minimum investments in property ownership or rental continue to apply alongside these fees. Applicants must either choose to rent a property for at least five years for a value of €14,000 a year or more or purchase a property worth at least €375,000.
Other costs include a €27.50 charge per person to receive a biometric card.
Changes to the Rights of MPRP Applicants to Lease or Sublet Maltese Properties
In the past, the rules around real estate included minimum ownership or rental periods, and restrictions on how MPRP applicants or visa holders could rent out or sublet their homes during periods when they are overseas.
Now, the Maltese program has been revised to match the more generous conditions available through other ‘golden visas’, which means foreign nationals are allowed to rent out the qualifying property they buy from the date of the purchase.
Those who decide to rent a property to meet the MPRP criteria are also allowed to sublet the property. However, they can only do so after an initial five-year period and cannot sublet to another expat who is an MPRP applicant.
This update is likely to be well received, as it makes the MPRP considerably more flexible for foreign nationals who can qualify for permanent residency and earn a passive income by renting or subletting their properties, even while awaiting visa approval for real estate buyers.
Updates Made to the Malta Licensing Agency Managing MPRP Applications
Another reform is less likely to impact expatriates applying to the MPRP but could affect the speed with which their applications are processed, given that in the past, different agencies had been responsible for managing the approval systems depending on the visa or permit in question.
Currently, MPRP applications are handled by Agenzija Komunitá Malta, which translates as the Malta Community Agency, but this is shifting to the Residency Malta Agency (RMA) with a transition period that will end in December.
In short, this means MPRP documentation is likely to be processed more quickly, given that the scheme will be centrally administered rather than delegated to a separate agency.
The Context of the Changes to the Maltese Permanent Residence Program
As many expats either currently living in Malta or planning a relocation will be well aware, this news follows the closure of the Maltese citizenship by investment scheme, which was scrapped after a drawn-out legal process.
The European Court of Justice ruled in April that the concept of granting effective citizenship of the EU based solely on financial investments contradicted the frameworks in place, resulting in the scheme formally ending in July.
Now, the Maltese government seems committed to broadening access to permanent residency as an alternative. By lowering fees, lifting restrictions and granting immediate temporary residency rights, it will undoubtedly hope to compensate for some of the lost economic contributions and ongoing taxation incomes generated by affluent citizenship applicants.
While becoming a Maltese permanent resident may now have been simplified, it remains important for any expat planning a move or considering a real estate investment to seek advice, ensuring they make informed decisions and have a full understanding of their tax position as a Maltese resident.
We welcome you to contact our local Chase Buchanan Private Wealth Management Maltese team or our UK Administration Centre if you would like more information about the MPRP or to discuss alternative visa routes.
All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of capital. You should carefully consider whether investing is suitable for you, taking into account your personal circumstances, financial situation, and risk tolerance.
*Information correct as at September 2025
