Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Live in one of Europe's sunniest hubs while working globally.
For: Non-EU remote workers.Estimated Timeline
2-3 months
The Application Process
Step by step, from start to approval.
Online Submission
Malta's Nomad Residence Permit is filed entirely online with Residency Malta Agency. The application is straightforward but the income evidence is reviewed strictly under the rules updated in 2024.
- Income threshold (2024 update): at least €42,000 gross per year for the main applicant. A percentage is added for a spouse and each dependent.
- Eligible activity: remote employment with a non-Maltese employer, freelance work for non-Maltese clients, or being a partner or director of a non-Maltese entity.
- Required documents: passport, employment contract or freelance agreements, last 3 months of payslips and bank statements, criminal-record certificate, CV, and proof of accommodation in Malta.
- Application fee: €300 per applicant. The full file is uploaded to the Residency Malta portal.
Approval in Principle
Residency Malta Agency reviews the file and runs background checks through Maltese and international databases. Decisions usually come back within 30 to 45 days from filing.
- An approval letter ('Letter of Approval in Principle') is issued by email and is valid for 6 months: you must travel to Malta within that window.
- If queries arise, Residency Malta will request clarifications. Typical issues: unclear income source, weak rental contract, or short employment history.
- If denied, applicants can resubmit after addressing the issues. There's no formal appeal process.
- Schengen travel during the 6-month window is unrestricted; the approval letter is for your records and not a visa in itself.
Malta Arrival
Travel to Malta and finalise your local address: sign or activate the rental agreement, set up local utilities, and complete an in-person biometric appointment at Residency Malta.
- The rental contract or property deed must cover at least the duration of the requested permit (12 months minimum).
- Health insurance must cover all health risks in Malta with no caps that would force out-of-pocket costs above standard limits.
- Biometric appointment is at the Residency Malta Agency office: bring originals of all documents submitted online.
- Family members included on the file attend their own biometrics at the same office.
Card Issuance
Once biometrics are captured, your physical residence card is issued in 4 to 8 weeks. The card is valid for 1 year and renewable annually for up to a total of 4 years on the nomad permit.
- Tax: foreign-source income is taxed at 0% in year 1 (non-domiciled rule) and 10% on remitted income from year 2 under the nomad-specific tax regime.
- After 4 years, you can transition to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) if you want long-term residency.
- Maintaining the rental contract or property is mandatory throughout: switching to a non-qualifying property cancels the permit.
- The card grants Schengen mobility and lets dependents enrol in Maltese state schools.
Core Requirements
What you need to qualify for this visa.
Gross annual income of at least €42,000 for the main applicant (raised in 2024), with proportional amounts for spouse and dependent children
Remote employment with a non-Maltese employer, freelance work for non-Maltese clients, or partner/director role in a non-Maltese entity
Health insurance covering all health risks in Malta with no exclusions that force significant out-of-pocket payments
Rental or property purchase agreement in Malta covering at least the requested permit duration
Tier-1 background check by Residency Malta Agency
Do You Qualify?
Answer a few quick questions to see if you meet the key requirements for this visa.
Do you earn at least €42,000/year (€3,500/month) from remote work?
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