Key facts
- What it is
- A unit with its own street door, within a small block
- Types
- Ground-floor or overlying (upper) maisonettes
- Pluses
- Own entrance, often a yard or roof
- Check
- Who owns the roof and airspace
A maisonette in Malta is a home with its own front door at street level, within a small building of usually two units. A ground-floor maisonette often has a back yard or garden; an overlying maisonette has its own staircase from the street and often the roof.
Why buyers like them
- Own entrance — no shared stairwell or lift.
- Outdoor space — a yard below or a roof above.
- Lower running costs — little or no condominium.
What to check
- Roof and airspace — who owns them, and whether the roof can be built on. See airspace and roof rights.
- Shared elements — façade, drains, water tanks and any agreements with the other owner.
- Permits — especially for roof rooms, enclosed yards and extensions.
- Damp and waterproofing — particularly in ground-floor units.
Browse maisonettes for sale in Malta.
Budget about 7%–8% on top of the price for stamp duty, notary and searches — see the costs of buying.
Questions & answers
What is an overlying maisonette?
An upper-floor maisonette with its own front door and staircase from the street. It often comes with the roof and sometimes the airspace — check the deed.
Do maisonettes have common parts?
Usually very few, if any, because each unit has its own entrance; but façades, drains or the roof may still be shared or subject to agreements between owners.
Can foreigners buy a maisonette in Malta?
Yes. EU citizens buying their main residence, or who have lived in Malta for five years, need no permit. Non-EU buyers, and EU citizens buying a second home, normally need an AIP permit unless the property is in a Special Designated Area. See our AIP permit guide.
Mark Micallef
Franchise Owner & Managing Director, RE/MAX Luxe Malta. Over 25 years in Maltese real estate; licence PC-00442-22. Reviewed by our advisory team.
This guide is general information, checked against official and professional sources on 9 October 2026. Rates, thresholds and programme rules change — often with the annual Budget — and individual circumstances differ. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice; please confirm the position with your notary, lawyer or tax advisor before acting.
