Maltese Immigration Laws

Malta is part of the Schengen Area since 2007 which means that all visas issued for foreigners interested in visiting this country come with a series of advantages. Malta immigration policy is not complex, on the contrary, it offers the possibility of entering the country quite easily, respecting a few important conditions and requirements. Our immigration lawyers in Malta can offer in-depth legal advice and assistance for foreigners who want to obtain a visa for this country or a residence permit in Malta. We can also help foreigners relocate to Malta in a fast and reliable manner.

What are the requirements for obtaining a visa for Malta?

The Schengen visa is issued for non-EU/EEA citizens who need a visa for short stays in Malta (up to 90 days in any 180 days); relocation requires a national (D) visa or a residence permit. There are a few requirements referring to the needed and solicited documents by the Maltese authorities. Here is information about the documents and visa conditions you need to consider for a Maltese visa:

1.  The visa application form must be completed with personal information.
2.  The passport must have a validity of at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen area and have been issued within the previous 10 years.
3. A travel medical insurance with a coverage of at least EUR 30,000 is required.
4.  A flight ticket reservation for your return to the home country is needed.
5. The purpose of your visit to Malta must be comprised of a visa cover letter.
6. Proof of your accommodation in Malta must be provided.
7. Two passport-size photos must be prepared.
8. Proof of sufficient funds for the entire stay in Malta is required (at least EUR 48/day).

These are the most important conditions to pay attention to, part of the visa application for Malta for non-EU/EEA citizens. The requirements can be entirely handled by one of our Maltese immigration lawyers, so feel free to send us your requests if you plan a visit to Malta. We can also handle the formalities for temporary or permanent residence in Malta, another important aspect covered by Malta Immigration Law. Interested in Malta citizenship? Talk to our specialists for details. They can also help you immigrate to Malta by handling the procedures.

Would you like residency in Malta? We recommend the legal help offered by our local lawyers with experience in the field of immigration. You will thus be able to discover the procedures and formalities involved in this process and also benefit from support for the preparation of the necessary documents. We mention that permanent residence can only be obtained after you have lived in Malta for 5 years, with temporary residence. Discover our legal services and get in touch with us.

The legislation regarding Malta residency by investment

The Malta Residency by Investment Program is available and directs to high net worth individuals who must firstly make specific investments in this country. Capital assets of EUR 500,000 (at least EUR 150,000 financial) or EUR 650,000 (at least EUR 75,000 financial) are the starting point for persons interested in making investments in Malta and gain residency through this program. Besides that, a government contribution of EUR 37,000, an administration fee of EUR 60,000 and a EUR 2,000 donation are required, as part of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), which replaced the Residence and Visa Programme in 2021.

There is also the possibility of buying a property worth at least EUR 375,000 or renting one for at least EUR 14,000 a year. Besides these requirements to join the Malta Residence by Investment Program, the obligation of having medical insurance with a coverage of at least EUR 30,000 is still required, mentioning that the program allows family members to easily join. Feel free to talk to one of our Maltese immigration attorneys and find out more about the conditions to obtain residency in Malta by making investments. We are at your disposal with details about the provisions of the Malta Immigration Policy. You can get in touch with us if you want to immigrate to Malta.

Can I relocate my business to Malta?

Yes, it is quite easy to relocate your company to Malta, as long as you, as a business owner, respect the conditions imposed, such as the de-registration of the firm in the home country. Then, the company’s documents will have to be modified with the new information about the relocated company in Malta. All the conditions for company relocation are comprised of the Companies Act (Cap. 386) and the Continuation of Companies Regulations, so if you are looking for help, feel free to talk to our team of advisors at any time. They can help you apply for residency in Malta and move to Malta.

We would like to inform you that you can apply for citizenship in Malta with the help of our lawyers. Our specialists can manage the necessary documents and explain the steps to follow in this endeavor. Regardless of whether you apply after 5 years of residence, through marriage or through the merit route (citizenship by investment was abolished in July 2025), you must consider the stages of the process, with specialized legal advice from us.

Information about citizenship in Malta

Malta citizenship can be granted to foreigners after at least 5 years of residence (12 months immediately before the application plus 4 years in the preceding 6 years), at the Minister's discretion, and the law sets the same residence rule for non-EU citizens. In the case of citizenship by marriage, according to the Malta Immigration Law, this status is granted after 5 years of living together in the country. We mention that the Community Malta Agency is the institution that accepts citizenship applications. Our immigration lawyers in Malta are here to offer guidance and support for all the needed documents. We have gathered some interesting facts and figures about Malta’s economy and business direction that can help foreigners establish in this country:

• The total FDI stock for 2019 in Malta was around USD 206 billion;
• 97% of the FDIs were directed to the financial and insurance services in Malta;
• More than 31,000 companies in Malta have foreign stockholders;
• 88th is the position of Malta among 190 economies in the world, according to the 2020 Doing Business report issued by the World Bank (the last edition; the report was discontinued in 2021).

If you would like to know more about Malta immigration policies and about how to move to Malta, you can contact our team of immigration lawyers. Support for Malta citizenship can be offered.