Malta’s merit-based naturalisation provisions concern exceptional service or contribution. Community Malta Agency states that this is not an investment programme or an alternative citizenship-by-investment pathway, and does not permit marketing the legislation.
This section is an informational legal overview. It does not offer or market a Malta Citizenship by Merit package.
Distinct eligibility, documentation, application steps and FAQs for each route.
A neutral explanation of Malta’s discretionary naturalisation provisions for exceptional service, contribution or national interest. This is not an investment package, a continuation of the former citizenship-by-investment scheme, or a promise that a payment will secure citizenship.
Information only · discretionary naturalisationRead the legal overviewThe Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) grants third-country nationals and their qualifying dependants the right to reside permanently in Malta on satisfying a non-refundable administrative fee, a contribution, a qualifying property held for five years, a charitable donation and an asset test, after multi-tier due diligence by the Residency Malta Agency. The programme confers residence, with Schengen travel of 90 days in any 180, and is expressly distinct from citizenship. Figures below are those published by the Agency following Legal Notices 310 of 2024 and 146 of 2025.
Established permanent-residence programme for third-country nationalsRequirements, process & FAQsThe Global Residence Programme (GRP, for third-country nationals) and The Residence Programme (TRP, for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals) are rules made under the Income Tax Act that grant a special tax status: foreign-source income received in Malta is taxed at 15 per cent, with a minimum tax of €15,000 a year, provided the beneficiary holds a qualifying property and meets continuing conditions. Neither programme is an immigration permit. A third-country national with GRP status still needs a residence permit from Identità, and the tax status ceases if the person spends more than 183 days in any other single jurisdiction in a calendar year.
Established special tax status; immigration permission is separateRequirements, process & FAQs