Malta Residency: Residence Document
(ID Card) for EU/EEA citizens:

(Please note: Zugimpex does not provide services to US citizens and to US residents.)

EU/EEA citizens who are moving to Malta can easily take a residency in Malta and work in Malta because of their right to free movement within the EU.
Apart from the pleasant lifestyle, the favourable taxation for “residents without domicile” allows that foreign-sourced income that stays outside the country and capital is not taxed. In addition, based on the rules about automatic exchange of information, foreign banks will inform the Maltese tax authorities (and not the tax authorities at their previous residency) of funds kept in their accounts.

  • According to Subsidiary Legislation 460.17, Malta recognizes the right to free movement of EU citizens and treats them equally with its nationals.
  • If an EU citizen wants to stay in Malta for more than 3 months, he will need to apply for a residence card. There have been cases of EU nationals living in Malta for more than 3 months without it. Since they are members of the same community, they cannot be deported. Instead, they may be subject to a penalty of around 300 euro or a criminal case, should they fail to pay the fine.
  • It is advised to apply for the Maltese residence card maximum of 3 months after the arrival:
  • It serves as a proof of residence for both local and foreign banks.
  • It can be presented to the tax authorities of the former residence country.

It simplifies life: you will need it to acquire a car or apply for a mortgage

How to obtain a Malta ID card (“residence document”) from Identity Malta:

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals’ applications for a residence card in Malta are handled electronically. An applicant will need to define the reason for his stay, fill in the respective form, and submit it along with the supporting documents.

To Rent an apartment or a house, a long-term property lease agreement will better justify the claim for residence. It is important that the landlord gives a copy of his ID, registers the contract online with the Housing Authority which forwards the rental approval letter automatically via email to the landlord and to the tenant. Also, it is reasonable to have utility bills registered under the own name, because banks require such documents as a proof of residency.

Currently, there are the following forms and procedures for EU nationals willing to establish a Malta residency:

 Employment:

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can start working as soon as they sign a work contract, and then they can apply for the residence permit within the upcoming 3 months. Before applying for the residence card, they will have to arrange a couple of things:

  • Sign an employment contract.
  • Rent a place: see above.
  • Register for a social security number or present such details from another EU state (A1 form). Then the income tax number is automatically issued within 2-3 days and it is possible to call 153 to ask for it.
  • Then an account must be created at the agency “Jobsplus” and it is required to submit the employment engagement form from the dashboard. A few days later the approval form is ready for download.
  • Apply for the ID Card: download and fill in Form A – Employment / Self Employment, prepare the documents from the checklist and send the application to eu.ima@gov.mt.

Self-Employment:

Before getting started as a private entrepreneur in Malta, EU nationals need to prepare a couple of papers:

  • Rent a place: see above.
  • Proof of the business address (e.g., a commercial rental agreement), if it is not possible to operate from your residence address.
  • Register for a social security number or present such details from another EU state (A1 form). Then the income tax number is automatically issued within 2-3 days and it is possible to call 153 to ask for it.
  • Submit the Jobsplus engagement form as self-employed.
  • Obtain a license where applicable.
    • gaming license from Malta Gaming Authority MGA,
    • financial services license from Malta Financial Services Authority MFSA,
    • trade license from the Trade Services Directorate,
    • hospitality licenses from Malta Tourism Authority MTA, health certifications
    • employment agency license from the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations)
    • different warrants for professional services like Accountant or Architects
    • other licenses in the medical sector and in the real estate sector
  • Apply for a Maltese VAT number.
  • Apply for the ID-card: download and fill in Form A – Employment / Self Employment, prepare the documents from the checklist and send the application to eu.ima@gov.mt.

Self-sufficiency:

This category covers individuals who can prove sufficient income or savings, as well as pensioners. The basic requirements are:

  • Rent a place: see above.
  • Acquire comprehensive insurance for health-related risks (persons aged over 70 or with prior health issues should consider opting for employment or self-employment).
  • Provide proof of sufficient resources “not to become a burden on the State”: €14,000 in capital or an active income of €92.72 per week (please note that decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis, and it may happen that even applications with a higher income will not qualify).
  • Apply for the ID card: download and fill in Form J – Self-Sufficiency, prepare the documents from the checklist and send the application to eu.ima@gov.mt

 Study:

This type of residence requires the acceptance letter from a qualified educational institution, health insurance, and proof of sufficient means to sustain oneself temporarily (similar to the Self-Sufficiency scheme).

  • Apply for the ID card: download and fill in Form M – Study, prepare the documents from the checklist and send the application to eu.ima@gov.mt.

Family:

EU nationals who do not fall under any of the above categories can claim residence based on family ties with another EU national who is already resident in Malta. Applications are accepted from a spouse, from children under 21, from dependent family members (children above 21 – e.g. students; parents, grandparents), but also if there is a partner for at least 2 years

  • Apply for the ID card: download and fill in Form F – Family Members, prepare the documents from the checklist and send the application to eu.ima@gov.mt.

Once an applicant receives a confirmation email, it will be sufficient proof of his online registration.
Several weeks later, the person will be invited for submitting the biometric data and e-signature at the office of Identity Malta. The date of this visit is the date that will be printed on the residence card which will be ready to pick up another few weeks later.
For the renewal of the ID card, a similar process is required, using a different application form.

Special Schemes – Zugimpex can assist as Authorized Registered Mandatory (ARM)

​”The Residence Programme (TRP)”

Applicants have to prove that they rent or buy a qualifying property. This scheme is useful if a person travels most of the time but receives substantial employment income from an employer in the EU. With a Maltese residency, in most cases, he only pays the minimum tax of 15.000 Euro per calendar year.

​”The Malta Retirement Programme”

  • Rent a property for a minimum of 9600 € per annum or purchase a property of at least 275000 € (8750 € or 250000 € for real estates in Gozo or in the south of Malta);
  • Full pension must be received in Malta and shall amount to 75% of the chargeable income.
  • For 5 years, the person shall stay at least 90 days per year in Malta and shall not reside in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days per year.
  • Taxation: 15% of the pension remitted, minimum tax 7500 € per year

Residence Permit in Malta (with Schengen – Visa) for Non-EU Citizens:

Malta actively attracts highly qualified and wealthy foreign residents and offers different options to get a beneficial permanent residence permit or Maltese citizenship + passport.

Non- EU citizens can receive a temporary residence permit that can lead to a permanent residence permit after several years.
Depending on the country of origin, third-country nationals can stay 90 days within a period of 180 days in the Schengen area. For longer stay and for citizens from other countries, a visa for Malta is required. A residence permit in Malta offers access to the Schengen area.
Options to get a temporary residence permit for non-EU citizens:

  • create a company that really invests 100,000 Euro and rent or buy an apartment of reasonable quality. Authorities are checking these points carefully, so real implementation is important.
  • Work permit in Malta: If an employer asks for a work permit; this is easier to get this for highly qualified personnel – they need no test that a candidate cannot be found in EU/EEA.
  • A well-known corporation establishes a subsidiary or a branch. They want to place a key person as a manager of this entity.
  • Study in Malta
  • Self-sufficiency (proof needed)

Special Schemes to receive a permanent residency in Malta –

Zugimpex can assist as Authorized Registered Mandatory (ARM):

 ​”The Global Residence Programme”

  • Rent a property for a minimum of 9600 € per annum or buying a property of at least 275000 € (8750 € or 220000 € for real estates in Gozo or in the south of Malta).
  • An applicant shall not reside in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days per year.
  • Taxation;
    • Income and capital gains in Malta: 35%
    • Income arising outside Malta and remitted: 15%
    • minimum tax 15000 € per year
  • Work permit is not excluded.
  • Application process with strict Due Diligence

“Nomad Residence Permit”

Nomad Residence Permit allows individuals from Non-EU/EEA countries with a monthly income of at least 2700 Euro to move to Malta and perform their activities there.

The applicants must prove their income from:

  • employment contract with a foreign employer; or
  • Freelance or consulting contracts for foreign clients or
  • Activities for a foreign company where he/she is partner/shareholder.

How to apply for the Nomad Residence Permit at Residency Malta Agency:

The first application can be submitted from outside Malta, then an initial National Visa is issued valid for 180 days, so it is possible to travel to the country.

After arrival follows the formal application for the Nomad Residence Permit, which is valid for a year and renewable. The application should be done in time because the authority needs some time to perform a comprehensive background check.

Checklist of the required documents:

  • Application form N1 and N2 (for family) if applicable
  • GDPR declaration Form N4
  • Passport
  • Europass CV signed
  • Letter of intent
  • Proof of sustainable income
    • Employment contract and tax documentation if applicable or service contract
    • Documentation if a company in another country is owned.
    • Bank statement in the name of the applicant showing the main sources of income for the last 3 months.
  • Rental or purchase contract for a residence in Malta
  • Local/ International comprehensive health insurance policy
  • Health declaration

​”High Qualified Persons Rules”

  • Qualifying contract of employment (special positions with a licensed company in certain sectors like financial services, gaming services, aviation, and assisted reproductive technology sector)
  • Income at least around 87000 € per year in 2021 (indexed)
  • Taxation: 15% up to an income of 5000.000 €, the rest is exempt from tax.

“The Malta Retirement Programme”

See above.

 “Malta Citizenship by Investment”

Malta offers this passport scheme; however, it is politically controversial and expensive, therefore we recommend it only in exceptional cases.

(Updated August 2021)