Malta's Permanent Residence Programme: why sources disagree and how to check the real numbers
If you search for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), you will find guides quoting very different numbers. That is not unusual for investor programmes, but it is worth understanding why.
What the programme is
The MPRP gives long-term residence to non-EU nationals who meet financial and property conditions. It is a permanent residence route, not citizenship. Malta's citizenship-by-investment scheme was suspended in 2025.
Why the numbers differ
- Older sources describe the framework from a 2021 legal notice, with a government contribution that depended on whether you bought or rented property.
- 2026 summaries report a purchase minimum of about EUR 375,000 or a rental minimum of about EUR 14,000 a year, an administration fee of EUR 60,000, a government contribution of EUR 37,000, a donation of EUR 2,000 and EUR 7,500 for each extra adult dependant.
- Different property zones (Malta and Gozo, or other regions) historically had different thresholds.
Because we could not confirm either set from the official agency, we show both and flag them as unverified.
What does not usually change
- A requirement to hold capital (commonly around EUR 500,000, with a portion as financial assets).
- A source-of-funds check by authorities.
- A clean criminal record.
- A requirement to hold qualifying health insurance.
A verification checklist
- Go to the Residency Malta Agency's official site and read the current fee table.
- Ask any adviser for the legal notice number that supports each figure.
- Ask for the date the figure was last checked.
- Compare at least two independent sources.
- Never pay fees to anyone who is not an authorised agent.
Think about the alternatives
Malta also has a Global Residence Programme and standard work routes, which might suit you better than an investment route.
Verify before you commit.
Visa Ray is a rule-based reference tool, not a law firm. Rules and fees change, so always confirm current figures with the official government source before you apply. You can run a free assessment on Visa Ray to see which pathways fit your profile.