Key facts
- What it is
- Written authority for someone to sign for you
- Prepared by
- Your Maltese notary
- Signed abroad?
- May need legalisation or an apostille
- Funds
- Transferred to the notary before the deed
Many overseas buyers complete Maltese purchases without being present for every signing. The tool for this is a power of attorney — written authority for someone else to sign on your behalf.
How it works
- Your notary drafts the power of attorney, specific to the property and the acts to be signed.
- You sign it — in Malta, at a Maltese consulate, or before a notary in your country.
- If signed abroad, it may need legalisation or an apostille so it can be used in Malta.
- Your attorney signs the promise of sale and the final deed for you.
Choosing your attorney
Choose someone you trust completely — often your Maltese lawyer or a family member — and keep the power specific rather than general.
Paying
Purchase funds and taxes are transferred to the notary before the deed. Agree timings early, especially for international transfers, and keep proof of the source of funds — banks and notaries must verify it.
Practical tips
- View the property yourself or by video with your agent.
- Appoint your own architect for the survey.
- Allow extra time for documents to travel and be authenticated.
