VNIS Investment

Malta immigration

Malta Residence 2026: the Malta Permanent Residence Programme

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme grants permanent residence on an English-speaking island within the EU and the Schengen area. The regulatory revision of 2025 changed the cost structure. You need a complete costing before deciding.

Figures updated 08/2026

Card type
Permanent residence (EU, Schengen)
Administrative fee plus contribution
€60,000 + €37,000
Non-refundable; per the regulations in force from 01/2025
Property
Purchase from €375,000 or rent from €14,000 a year
Held for at least five years
Asset test
€500,000 (of which €150,000 liquid)
Assessment time
Around 4–8 months

Overview

The MPRP is administered by the Residency Malta Agency and grants permanent residence to nationals of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland: a lifetime right of residence, with a physical card renewed every five years. Malta is an English-speaking EU member within the Schengen area, so the card permits free movement for 90 days in any 180.

The cost structure under the regulations in force from 01/2025: an administrative fee of €60,000; a government contribution of €37,000; property purchase from €375,000 or rental from €14,000 a year, held for at least five years; a charitable donation of €2,000; and a supplement of €7,500 for each adult dependant other than a spouse. Under the rental option, the total non-refundable cost commonly falls between €110,000 and €150,000 depending on family composition.

On the asset test, applicants must evidence net worth of at least €500,000, of which €150,000 must be liquid financial assets. Every application must be filed through an agent licensed by the Residency Malta Agency; there is no self-filing route.

The MPRP suits families seeking a durable foothold in the EU at a cost known in advance, with no minimum stay required to maintain the card. Draw a clear distinction: the MPRP is a residence programme, separate from Malta's citizenship programme — the investment-for-citizenship model was ruled to an end by the Court of Justice of the European Union in 2025.

Programmes

Routes currently open

Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

Source: residencymalta.gov.mt

Combines an administrative fee, a government contribution and a property commitment — purchase or rental — to obtain permanent residence for up to four generations of one family.

Investment / cost
Administrative fee of €60,000 + contribution of €37,000 + property purchase from €375,000 (or rental from €14,000 a year for five years) + charitable donation of €2,000; plus €7,500 for each adult dependant
Estimated timeline
Assessment takes roughly 4–8 months from submission of the complete file through a licensed agent
Benefits
  • Permanent residence on approval — with no temporary stage
  • Up to four generations in one application: spouse, dependent children, dependent parents and grandparents
  • No minimum stay required to maintain the card
  • Free movement within Schengen; an English-speaking environment with international schools and quality healthcare
Key requirements
  • Net worth of at least €500,000, of which €150,000 liquid (or the alternative €650,000/€75,000 structure provided for in the regulations)
  • Hold the property (purchased or rented) for at least five years; thereafter only a residential address in Malta must be maintained
  • Clean criminal record; four-tier due diligence
  • Health insurance; the application must be filed through an agent licensed by the Residency Malta Agency

The fee structure follows the amended regulations in force from 01/2025 — the official schedule is to be reconfirmed before publication

How we work

The Malta case path

  1. 01

    Assess your eligibility

    1–2 working sessions

  2. 02

    Select the programme

    1–3 weeks

  3. 03

    Prepare the file

    2–6 months, depending on the programme

  4. 04

    File and monitor

    Per the processing schedule of the adjudicating authority

  5. 05

    Settlement and beyond

    A long-term relationship

Further reading

Updates on Malta

Malta — thẻ thường trú vĩnh viễn giữa lòng châu Âu: Gia đình nào nên chọn?

Thường trú Malta: Điều kiện chứng minh tài sản 500.000 EUR hiểu thế nào cho đúng?

Định cư Malta diện MPRP 2026: Chi phí thật sự là bao nhiêu?

Answers

Frequently asked questions

What does the Malta MPRP cost in total?

Under the rental option, non-refundable costs come to roughly €110,000–150,000: an administrative fee of €60,000, a contribution of €37,000, a charitable donation of €2,000, rent of €14,000 a year for five years, and dependant supplements where applicable. That figure excludes agent and legal fees. Under the purchase option you need a further €375,000 minimum, but that is an asset you own and may sell after five years.

Is an MPRP card the same as Maltese citizenship?

No. The MPRP grants permanent residence: you keep your Vietnamese passport, may live in Malta without limit, and travel within Schengen under the 90 days in any 180 rule. Malta's citizenship-by-investment programme was brought to an end by a 2025 ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Maltese citizenship must now be pursued through actual residence and ordinary naturalisation, on strict conditions.

Does the MPRP require you to move to Malta?

There is no minimum stay requirement to maintain the card, which makes the programme suitable for families who intend to keep their life and business in Vietnam. You need only maintain a residential address in Malta, owned or rented, together with the programme's other conditions. If your children attend school in Malta or the family intends to use the healthcare system there, actual presence will of course be required.

Who may be included in an MPRP application?

Up to four generations: your spouse; dependent children with no age limit, provided they are unmarried and financially dependent; and dependent parents and grandparents of both spouses. Each adult dependant carries a €7,500 supplement. Children born after the card is issued may still be added to the programme.

How long does MPRP assessment take, and can it be refused?

Typically 4–8 months from submission of the complete file. Malta applies rigorous four-tier due diligence: opaque source of funds, a criminal history or inconsistent information may each lead to refusal, and fees already paid are not returned. For that reason we pre-assess every file to gauge the likelihood of approval before you commit to substantial fees. Even so, no firm can commit to an outcome on behalf of the assessing authority.

This information is provided for reference and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policy may change at the discretion of each country. Contact VNIS Investment for an assessment based on your actual circumstances.

Beyond Future

Assess your family's eligibility for Malta

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