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Malta

Situated in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta enjoys an excellent reputation for its splendid climate, friendly people, low crime rate, and superb quality of life. An attractive place in which to live or own a second home, Malta also has excellent air links.


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About Malta

The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the center of the Mediterranean and consists of three islands: Comino, Gozo, and Malta, with a total population of over 400,000 inhabitants occupying an area of 316 km..

Population:

467,000

Languages:

Maltese, English

Economy:

Advanced and innovation-driven

Currency:

Euro





An Overview

The Republic of Malta consists of three islands, situated just 80 km off the southern coast of Sicily, Italy in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with sparse rainfall between March and October. The population is over 400,000 and the official languages are English and Maltese, though Italian is widely spoken.


Political environment

Malta became independent from Britain in 1964 and has been a republic since 1973. It is a democratic country with respect for the rule of law. Malta is a member of major international organizations including the Council of Europe, Europe’s Schengen Area, the European Union, the Eurozone, and the International Monetary Fund.

Living in Malta

Malta has a sound infrastructural framework. Telecommunications, postal services, banking, and hospitals and health services, as well as all other important public services are efficient and of a very high standard. Air Malta operates 35 flight routes mostly within Europe and the Mediterranean region, and many other European airlines operate flights to Malta. There is also a regular sea link with Italy.


The English-speaking population makes integration and communication easy. All official documentation is in English, commercial and business relationships are conducted in English, and laws are in English and Maltese. There are also private English-speaking schools, which offer a high level of education; the University of Malta is open to children of permanent residents. There are also a number of private hospitals offering high-quality medical services. Malta has been ranked 5th in the world by the World Health Organization for medical services and facilities.

While Malta has a high standard of living comparable to other European countries in the Mediterranean region, the cost of living is generally lower than the rest of Europe. It is therefore possible to live a comfortable life with lesser expenses. The pace of life on the island is generally slow and more relaxed than the rest of Europe, particularly in Gozo, and the charm of this little island is difficult to escape. The crime rate and level of drug abuse are very low. Children can be brought up safely and there is a general care and awareness given by locals to children and elderly persons, particularly where foreign nationals are concerned. Most foreigners who come to live in Malta are pleasantly surprised by the help and attention they are given by the local population.

The warm climate is particularly attractive to persons coming from colder regions of the world, especially in spring and autumn.


Conducting business in Malta

In recent years, the Maltese government has actively sought to attract foreign capital with attractive incentives aimed at international investors and entrepreneurs. During the last fifteen years, Malta has developed into a modern financial center and is one of the most important jurisdictions within the southern European region today.


The work force in Malta is English-speaking, motivated, and well-educated. Malta grants incentives to foreign persons or companies that set up business in Malta, including low rents for factories and low interest loans. Furthermore, its strategic location, excellent international trade relations, and a good quality of life make it one of the most attractive places for business in the Mediterranean.


Malta offers many advantages including:

Excellent banking center with a presence of major international banks

Ideal location in the center of the Mediterranean

Efficient access by sea and the international airport of Malta

English-speaking environment

High standard of living



The law in Malta

Although it is a former British dependency, Maltese law is codified and there is no British ‘common law’ tradition. Broadly speaking, the law is divided into two main branches — the civil law and criminal law, which both follow different traditions.


Maltese civil law is based on the Napoleonic Code, which is based on the older Roman law concepts. Therefore, particularly in the older areas of civil law, especially those concerning property, contracts, obligations, and so on, Maltese law is very similar to French and Italian law. Reference is often made to French and Italian authors in the interpretation of Maltese law.


In the criminal law field, however, Malta has borrowed heavily from the British system. Therefore, all trials are tried by juries (except for lesser offences) and the whole system is based on the British criminal law set-up.


In the newer fields of law, particularly in the environmental, financial, company, and fiscal legislative areas, a large number of new laws have been enacted over the past ten years and these tend to be borrowed from other countries (in particular from Britain) and adapted to Maltese requirements. Today, Malta is amending its body of laws to bring it into line with the laws of the EU, for which Malta is a member.





Benefits of Malta Citizenship by Investment


  • Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to approximately 190 destinations
  • Access to a transparent and reputable financial centre and a prime jurisdiction for international business
  • Opportunity to include a spouse, children, parents, and grandparents in the main application
  • Excellent international schools and access to universities in the European Union with reduced fees or free education in some countries. Avion Citizenship can assist in securing the best educational opportunities for your family
  • World’s strictest due diligence standards and vetting of applicants
  • An attractive place to live or own a second home in, strategically located with excellent air links

Requirements of Maltese citizenship by naturalization

The application for Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is thoroughly checked and assessed and undergoes a four-tier due diligence process. To qualify, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

A minimum age of 18 years for all applicants
A contribution of at least EUR 600,000 for a minimum residence period of 36 months or EUR 750,000 for a minimum of 12 months
The purchase of a residential property in Malta of at least EUR 700,000, which must be held for five years. Alternatively, the lease of a residential property with a rental value of at least EUR 16,000 per annum, also held for five years. Please note that the property cannot be sublet during this five-year period. A 36-month (or 18-month, by exception) lease agreement or property purchase is required during the residence period. 
A donation of at least EUR 10,000 to a registered sport, cultural, scientific, philanthropic, animal welfare, or artistic non-governmental organization or society, as approved by the Community Malta Agency.
Legal residence of Malta for at least 36 months (or 12 months, by exception), which includes the lease of a residential property with a rental value of at least EUR 16,000 per annum, held for that same period. Applicants require a valid residence card in order to apply for citizenship

Procedures for Maltese citizenship by naturalization

Applications must be made on the prescribed forms and be accompanied by the appropriate fees and specific documents. Highly detailed due diligence checks are carried out and an application will be declined if it turns out that it contains false information or omissions.
If the Tier 1 due diligence checks completed by the Community Malta Agency are passed, the application for a residence permit will be submitted. After residence has been obtained, an eligibility application will be submitted and further (tiers 2, 3, and 4) due diligence checked will be made by the agency and presented to the relevant Maltese minister, who will decide on the applicant’s eligibility to apply for citizenship.
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Successful applicants

If successful, a citizenship application will be submitted to the Community Malta Agency after 36 months of residence (or 12 months by exception). After the minister has decided if the applicant can be granted Maltese citizenship, the successful applicant will then be required to fulfil the exceptional investment, donation, and property requirements. Thereafter, the applicant will be invited to take the oath of allegiance in Malta and be presented with a Maltese certificate of naturalization.


The Community Malta Agency will conduct continuous monitoring for five years.


Malta Real Estate

Everything you need to know about acquiring premium real estate in Malta and linked to Malta Residence and Citizenship by Naturalization.

Minimum real estate investment

EUR 700,000

Type of​ ownership

Sole or shared owners

Rental income opportunity

3–5% on residential property

Holding period of real estate

Minimum five year

Malta real estate


The Maltese real estate market has in recent years been one of Europe’s success stories, experiencing five years of consecutive growth prior to the global COVID-19 pandemic, both in the number of properties purchased and overall volume.


Malta is a nation of homeowners and Maltese people like to invest in property. This cultural propensity, together with the arrival of many foreign nationals, particularly from the affluent gaming and finance sectors, has created demand for property from locals and foreign buyers alike. While the property market appears to be stabilizing, there is a constant demand for high-quality property. Sliema, St. Julian’s, and Valletta are popular destinations for local and foreign investors.


The majority of real estate investors choose apartment living, and many modern developments have sprung up over the past five years to satisfy the demand for this type of accommodation. For those who prefer something with authentic Maltese character, elegant townhouses can be found in Malta’s towns and villages, together with classic countryside villas.


Acquisition of property in Malta


Before proceeding with the acquisition of property in Malta, buyers are advised to follow these crucial recommendations:

  1. Trusted professionals who have good local knowledge of the market should always be consulted.
  2. It is advisable to instruct an architect to check that the property being purchased conforms to all local building regulations.
  3. The transfer of funds from foreign banks is subject to rigorous due diligence checks, which can take time. It is advisable to transfer the funds to the notary in good time to avoid delays in signing the contracts.





Are there any restrictions on the acquisition of real estate in Malta by foreign buyers?

Foreign investors may purchase only one property in Malta, except for property purchased in a special designated area (SDA), which is unlimited. When purchasing outside an SDA, the purchased property cannot be rented out. ​

How can immovable property in Malta be acquired?

Once an offer has been accepted and a notary has been instructed, there are two steps to the property purchase that buyers need to consider: the promise of sale and the final deed.

Does the applicant need to open a bank account in order to purchase property, and if so, what is the procedure?

A Maltese bank account is not required. The buyer transfers the funds directly into the notary’s account and the notary then makes all the payments on behalf of the buyer..

What additional expenses will the real estate transaction incur?

Stamp duty at 5% of the sale price

Notary fees at approximately 1.5% of the sale price

Architect’s fee of approximately EUR 1,000

What kind of returns can be expected from property investment in Malta ?

Over the recent years, the return on capital investment has been in excess of 5%, while the yield on rental income is approximately 3.5%.

What other immovable property-related taxes and charges are imposed in Malta ?

There is no annual property tax in Malta. If the property is under leasehold, ground rent will apply. By law, apartment blocks must be managed by either a residence committee or a third-party management company, and condominium fees apply on all apartments..

Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation frequently asked questions

The Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment allows individuals and their families to obtain Maltese citizenship through significant economic contributions.

Investment options include a financial contribution, the purchase or lease of a residential property in Malta, or a donation to an approved non-governmental organization.

Benefits include the right to live, work, and study in any EU country, visa-free travel to over 180 countries, and access to a high standard of healthcare and education.

The minimum investment starts at EUR 600,000, with additional contributions required for family members.

Processing times for citizenship by investment applications may vary. Please contact us to find out more.

Yes, the main applicant can include their spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents in the application.

Applicants and all adult dependents must maintain Maltese residence status for at least 36 months (or 12 months, in special cases) before applying for citizenship.

Required documents include a valid passport, proof of investment, health insurance, a clean criminal record, and other supporting documents.

Applications must include the required forms, fees, and documents, with thorough due diligence checks conducted. After passing initial checks and obtaining a residence permit, further checks determine eligibility for citizenship. Approved applicants must fulfill investment, donation, and property requirements before taking the oath of allegiance and receiving their naturalization certificate. Continuous monitoring is conducted for five years by the Community Malta Agency.