Major Updates to Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme

Introduction

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) offers a pathway to third-country nationals (TCNs) to obtain permanent residence in Malta.

On the 22nd of July 2025, the Maltese Government introduced a number of key amendments to the MPRP Regulations through Legal Notice 146 of 2025. These changes aim to enhance the programme’s efficiency, flexibility and clarity for applicants.

Temporary Residence Now Granted at Application Stage

Applicants and their dependents may now apply for a one-year temporary residence permit upon submission of their MPRP application. This temporary permit is renewable for a further year, provided all required documents and information are submitted to the Agency within six months of the application date.

Flexibility in Property Use During Temporary Absences

A new provision empowers the Agency to issue guidelines concerning the use of qualifying property when MPRP beneficiaries are temporarily absent from Malta.

Under the guidelines, beneficiaries may now lease out their qualifying property to third parties during such temporary absences.

Revisions to Non-Refundable Administration Fees

Increased Main Applicant Fee

The non-refundable administrative fee for the main applicant has been increased from forty-five thousand euro (EUR45,000) to sixty thousand euro (EUR60,000), to be paid as follows:

• Fifteen thousand euro (EUR15,000) within one-month of submission of the application.
• Forty-five thousand euro (EUR45,000) within two-months from the issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle.

No Additional Fees for Spouses and Minor Children (Dependents)

The additional fee will now only apply to (i) children over the age of 18; and (ii) parents and/or grandparents. This fee has also been raised from five thousand euro (EUR5,000) to seven thousand, five hundred euro (EUR7,500) for the above categories of dependents.

On the other hand, spouses and minor children are now exempt from any additional administration fee.

Updates to Government Contribution Requirements

Standardised Contribution for All Routes

A fixed government contribution of thirty-seven thousand euro (EUR37,000) will now apply to both the property purchase and rental options under the MPRP.

This represents an increase of seven thousand euro (EUR7,000) for the property purchase option and a reduction of twenty-three thousand euro (EUR23,000) for the rental option.

Removal of Dependent Contribution

The additional five-thousand-euro contribution (EUR5,000) per dependent has been abolished.

New Limitation on Eligibility of Parents and Grandparents

While parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse that are dependent on the main applicant may still be included as dependents, a minor restriction has been introduced: they must not be in full-time employment in order to qualify.