Maltese Permanent Residency By Investment
Malta is one of the countries that offer both citizenship and residency by investment program.
We already wrote about Malta citizenship by investment program, known as Malta Individual Investor Programme, you can read this article here.
However, if you are not interested in Maltese citizenship (or at least not yet), you can look into the option of setting your permanent residency in Malta.
Malta is a very respectable EU country and residing there will bring many options for the investor and his/her family. Their residency card will let you travel visa-free to all 26 Schengen countries. A huge advantage of this program is that you can include your partner/spouse, children, and parents.
In order to qualify for Maltese residency by investment programs you will have to fulfill the following criteria:
- Need to be at least 18 years old
- Must be non-EU national
- Buy or rent property in Malta and commit to it for at least 5 years. If you buy property it needs to be worth at least 320 000 EUR if located in Malta, if you decide to rent a minimum yearly rent needs to be 12 000 EUR. If the property that you want to buy is situated in the Southern Region of Malta or in Gozo it needs to be worth at least 270 000 EUR. If you decide to rent here then annual minimum rent is 10 000 EUR
- Invest funds in Government bonds or other approved investments having an initial value of 250 000 EUR to be held for a minimum period of 5 years
- Pay full contribution of 30 000 EUR, which is nonrefundable
- Investor needs to prove that they have enough funds to support himself/herself and other dependents. This means that the investor needs to prove that they have a minimum yearly income of 100 000 EUR, or hold minimum capital of 500 000 EUR
- Investor and all dependents need to have a valid passport
- Investor and all dependents will need to have the global health insurance policy
- Investor and all dependents will need to give a proof of clean criminal record.
Tax advantages of residency in Malta
Tax Residency in Malta
Residence for Malta tax purposes is established by demonstrating an intention to reside in Malta indefinitely. It may also be definitely established on the basis of a physical presence in Malta of at least 183 days.
If you are making income outside of Malta, and have no intention of bringing it to Malta then your income will not be taxable. This rule does not apply for income made in the country, that income will be taxable. Capital gain that was made outside the country will not be taxable even if profit was brought to Malta, the same applies for savings. These rules apply if you are a resident but not a citizen of Malta (non- domiciled resident).
Other tax benefits include no inheritance tax, no estate duty, no wealth tax, no municipal tax.
Once you get the residence you will have it for 5 years, but it can be extended an unlimited number of times. Investment is required only once when you renew your residency you will not need to invest again.
A review will take place every year for the first five years, to ensure that the investor’s wealth has not changed (as on the initial application), that they still have a title to an immovable property in Malta and have retained the required investment and health insurance.
After the first five years, the Certificate of Residence will then be reviewed every five years, no longer will the requirements of wealth, investment and immovable property be required.
Processing time for getting Maltese residence will vary from candidate to candidate, but it usually takes 4-6 months.
if you want to know more about Malta Golden Visa Residency by Investment Program contact us now.
