Questions, answered

Yes. Anyone can buy in a Special Designated Area without a permit. Elsewhere, non-EU buyers — and EU nationals who have not been resident for five years buying a second property — need an AIP permit. Read buying as a foreigner.

Under Legal Notice 174 of 2024, €174,274 for an apartment or maisonette and €300,619 for other property. The thresholds are updated periodically, so confirm the current figures with your notary.

Budget about 7%–8% of the price on top, including stamp duty: 5% stamp duty (a flat 5% for non-EU buyers), notary fees of about 2% plus searches and registration, and any survey or bank fees. See the costs of buying.

Buyer and seller sign a preliminary agreement before a notary fixing the price, conditions and deadline for the deed. The buyer usually pays a deposit of about 10% (market practice) and 1% provisional stamp duty, credited against the duty due on the deed. See the buying process.

Maltese banks lend to residents and, case by case, to non-residents. Expect a lower loan-to-value for non-residents and detailed source-of-funds checks. See mortgages in Malta.

Title and burdens (notary), planning permits and structure (your perit), condominium rules and dues, and the tax reliefs you qualify for. Use our interactive due diligence checklist.

The standard rate of duty on acquiring property is 5%. EU first-time buyers pay no duty on the first €200,000 when the scheme applies, and other reliefs exist for second-time buyers and Urban Conservation Areas. Non-EU buyers pay a flat 5% and do not qualify for these reliefs or the Urban Conservation Area benefits. See stamp duty in Malta.

A final property transfer tax of 8% on the higher of the price and market value, 10% for property acquired before 2004, 5% for non-dealers selling within five years of buying, and none on your own home owned and lived in for three consecutive years and sold within 12 months of leaving. See property transfer tax.

You can choose a final 15% on gross rent, or declare net rent at your ordinary rates. See rental income tax.

Malta has no inheritance tax as such, but duty of 5% is payable on the market value of inherited property through a causa mortis declaration, with exemptions and reduced rates for surviving spouses and heirs who live in the home. See inheriting property.

Malta has no net wealth tax and no recurring annual property tax. Tax arises when property is bought, sold, inherited or let. Read the complete property tax guide.

Not on its own. A qualifying purchase or lease is one requirement of the MPRP, the Global Residence Programme and the Retirement Programme, alongside fees, financial criteria, insurance and due diligence. See residency options compared.

The government payments are a €60,000 administrative fee, a €37,000 contribution and a €2,000 NGO donation, plus €7,500 for each adult dependant other than a spouse. You must also buy a home of at least €375,000 or rent one for at least €14,000 a year. See the MPRP guide.

A special tax status for non-EU nationals: 15% on foreign income remitted to Malta, with a minimum tax of €15,000 a year and a qualifying property from €275,000 (€220,000 in the South and Gozo). See the GRP.

The Malta Retirement Programme, open to EU and non-EU pensioners, taxes foreign income received in Malta at 15%, with a €7,500 minimum. See the Retirement Programme.

Non-EU remote workers earning at least €42,000 a year can apply for the Nomad Residence Permit. See the Nomad Residence Permit.

On 29 April 2025 the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that Malta's investor citizenship scheme was contrary to EU law. The ruling concerned citizenship, not residence programmes.

Your title deed, Planning Authority permits, an Energy Performance Certificate, condominium documents for apartments and — for inherited property — the causa mortis declaration. See the seller's checklist.

Yes. Residential leases must be in writing and registered with the Housing Authority. See letting your property.

Only with a Malta Tourism Authority licence, and not if you bought under an AIP permit. See short-let licensing.

On long residential leases, once a year by up to 5%, where the lease provides for it.

Maltese and English are both official languages, and English is used throughout business, government and daily life.

If you intend to stay more than three months, register within three months of arrival through Identità's Expatriates Portal. See EU citizens moving to Malta.

Both are billed by ARMS Ltd. Change the account holder on Form F and register residents on Form H for the residential tariff. See utilities in Malta and the move-in checklist.

EU and EEA licences are valid. Other foreign licences can be used for up to 12 months from your last entry; some — including UK, Australian, UAE and Swiss licences — can be exchanged. Malta drives on the left. See driving in Malta.

Families often consider Verdala International School, QSI International School of Malta, Chiswick House School & St Martin's College, St Edward's College, San Anton School, San Andrea School and St Catherine's High School. See international schools.

Yes — with a compliant microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel after the primary jab), tapeworm treatment for dogs and the right paperwork. See bringing pets to Malta.

English, Maltese, 简体中文, 繁體中文 and Tiếng Việt, with residency guides in 简体中文, 繁體中文 and Tiếng Việt.

We handle the property step — finding a home that meets your programme's threshold — and work alongside your licensed agent or mandatary, who files the application. Book a residency consultation.

Request a free valuation and one of our advisors will visit and prepare a written appraisal.