Legal Notice 146 of 2025 revises the administrative fee structure applicable to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme whilst also introducing a new temporary residence permit, as well as property rental flexibility aimed at enhancing the investment value that beneficiaries under the Programme derive.
Temporary Residence Permit
Under these amendments, Applicants are now eligible to apply for a Temporary Residence permit, which will be issued at the outset of the application process, subject to standard background checks. This permit will remain valid for one year.
Within the first six months, Applicants must submit all required documentation to ensure compliance with MPRP regulations. Once Approval in Principle is granted and all Programme obligations are fully met, the Temporary Residence permit will be converted into a Permanent Residency Certificate.
In the event of an application being rejected, the Temporary Permit will be revoked within fifteen (15) days of the issuance of the rejection notice.
Administrative Fees Revised
The non-refundable administrative fee has been increased from €50,000 to €60,000, of which €15,000 must be paid within one month from the date on which the application would have been submitted and the remaining €45,000 (previously €35,000) within two months from the issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle.
The requirement of paying a non-refundable administration fee of €5,000 with respect to:
- the dependent spouse of the main applicant in a monogamous marriage or in another relationship having the same or a similar status to marriage, including a civil union, domestic partnership, common law marriage or other relationships having a similar status, as Residency Malta Agency may, in its discretion, authorise;
- dependent children, including adopted children, of the main applicant or of the dependent spouse who are under 18 years of age; and
has been completely removed. On the other hand, the non-refundable administrative fee payable with respect to
- dependent children, including adoptees, of the main applicant or of the dependent spouse, who at the time of the application were between 18 years to 29 years of age, and were still unmarried and principally dependent on the main applicant; and
- dependent parents or grandparents of the main applicant or of the dependent spouse, who are not in full-time employment and principally dependent on the main applicant
has been increased from €5,000 to €7,500 payable within 2 months from the issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle (on in the case of specific circumstances within 2 months from the date on which the application with respect to such circumstances has been submitted).
No administrative fee was payable with respect to dependent adult children of the main applicant or of the dependent spouse who have been certified by a recognised medical professional or authority as having a disability in terms of the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act, and this has been retained without modification.
It is essential to note that the revised administrative fees apply to all applicants who have submitted their application under the MPRP Regulations on or after the 1st January 2025.
Contribution Revised
The economic contribution payable with respect to the main applicant who would have elected to own qualifying property has been increased from €30,000 to €37,000.
The economic contribution payable with respect to the main applicant who would have elected to lease qualifying property has been decreased from €60,000 to €37,000.
The economic contribution of €5,000 payable with respect to every dependent included in the main applicant’s MPRP application has been completely removed.
One ought to note that the revised contribution amounts apply to all applicants who have submitted their application under the MPRP Regulations on or after the 1st January 2025.
Leasing of Qualifying Property
Provided applicants comply with Residence Malta Agency’s guidelines, applicants who purchase a qualifying property to meet the requirements of the MPRP may lease it to third parties during temporary absences from Malta.
Additionally, applicants who rent a qualifying property may, subject to Agency guidelines and with the landlord’s consent, sublet the property after the initial five-year lease term has ended.
Licensed Agents must keep detailed records of clients renting such properties. Residence Malta Agency reserves the right to request access to these records at its discretion.
Once again, one should note that these provisions apply to all applications submitted under the MPRP regulations on or after the 1st January 2025.
Elements that have not been revised
It is important to highlight that the other criteria of a financial nature leading to a successful application under the MPRP Regulations have not been the subject of any revision. As a result:
- the minimum value of “Qualifying Owned Property”, being residential property purchased or acquired under an emphyteutical grant, has remained €375,000
- the minimum value of “Qualifying Rented Property”, being residential property possessed under title of lease, has remained €14,000 per annum;
- donation in favour of a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organisation or society registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, or as otherwise approved by Residence Malta Agency has remained €2,000.
Phoenix Wise Solutions Limited retains its role as a licensed agent for the purposes of the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, in line with the new licensing regime envisaged by L.N. 146 of 2025, and we look forward to putting our knowledge, expertise and experience at the service of interested individuals who wish to make Malta a new residential home for themselves and their families.
Dr. Stephan Gauci
Managing Director
