Malta Permanent Residency: Key Updates from Residency Malta

In July 2025, Residency Malta Agency issued an important update regarding the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP). The clarifications cover essential aspects of eligibility, financial documentation, property requirements, and compliance. For applicants and licensed agents alike, the message is clear: expectations are rising, and transparency is non-negotiable.

1. Dependants – Stricter Definition and Proof of Dependency

   
   

Residency Malta reaffirmed that:

• Adult children (18+) must be unmarried, not financially independent, and any income must be justified.

• Parents and grandparents must also prove genuine financial dependency on the main applicant. This requires supporting documentation such as joint declarations and consistent bank transfers.

• Dependants must be declared at application stage — requests to add dependants post-approval are unlikely to be accepted.

2. Source of Wealth and Funds – Stronger Scrutiny

   
   

Applicants must clearly distinguish between:

• Source of Wealth: how they built their capital (e.g. business ownership, employment history); and

• Source of Funds: where the actual MPRP-related funds are coming from.

  
  

Residency Malta expects:

• Detailed bank statements showing capital build-up (not just large one-off deposits),

• Certified, translated, and stamped documents, and

• Full disclosure of third-party gifts, including the donor’s own source of wealth.

3. Property Requirements – Minimum Thresholds & Validity Period

   
   

The property thresholds remain:

• €14,000 rent or €375,000 for purchase, with no distinction between regions.

  
  

A key change is that property contracts must now cover the full five-year period from when the residency certificate is issued. Where a lease is shorter, signed renewal agreements must be submitted in advance.

4. Renewals – Ongoing Compliance Obligations

   
   

MPRP residency is conditional on ongoing compliance. Beneficiaries must:

• Submit annual declarations confirming their continued adherence to programme rules,

• Maintain valid health insurance for themselves and all dependants,

• Ensure that no dependants are living in another EU member state, which could risk loss of residency.

5. Additional Clarifications

   
   

Residency Malta has also reiterated that:

• Police conduct certificates must be provided from all countries of residence in the last 10 years,

• Cryptocurrency-related income must be legally sourced and backed by adequate documentation,

• Power of Attorney documents must follow strict formatting and notarisation standards.

  
  

Final Thoughts

This update underscores Residency Malta’s emphasis on thorough due diligence, financial clarity, and long-term commitment to Malta. Applicants must be well-prepared from the start and stay compliant throughout the five-year period. For licensed agents, ensuring clients meet these enhanced standards is now more critical than ever.

Get in Touch:

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Matthew Aquilina

maquilina@quazar.mt / +356 2388 4600