The Global Residence Programme is designed to attract individuals who are not nationals of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and who are not long-term residents. Applicants must not reside in another jurisdiction for longer than 183 days in a calendar year. Individuals benefitting from this programme are not precluded from working in Malta, provided they satisfy the requisite conditions for obtaining a work permit.

An applicant who has been granted special tax status in accordance with the Global Residence Programme will be subject to a flat tax rate of 15% on any income that is received in Malta from foreign sources. The minimum tax payable is €15,000 yearly.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be third-country nationals, that is, individuals who are not nationals of the EU, EA, and Switzerland are eligible for the Global Residence Programme. As an applicant for the Global Residence Programme, you must be at least 18 years of age, of good character, without a criminal record, in good health and economically self-sufficient to sustain yourself and any of your dependents without having to resort to the social welfare of Malta. Individuals benefitting from this programme are not precluded from working in Malta, provided they satisfy the requisite conditions for obtaining a work permit.

Real Estate Investment

As an applicant you will need to hold a qualifying property in Malta. You can either purchase real estate having a minimum value of €275,000 if in the north of Malta, or €220,000 if in the south of Malta or Gozo. Alternatively, you can either rent a property for a minimum value of €9,600 yearly if it is located in the north of Malta, or €8,750 yearly if the property is located either in the south of the island or in Gozo.

Medical Insurance

A proper medical insurance cover for you and any dependents is required when applying for the Global Residence Programme. The insurance company providing the medical cover must either be registered in Malta, or else be a reputable and recognized international insurance company. It is important to note that you will need to submit a certified copy of the insurance certificate with your application.

The Benefits of the Global Residence Programme

The Global Residence Programme will offer you and your dependents special and favourable tax status and treatment as well as other benefits, including:

• legal status to live, work and study in Malta;
• easy travel and access to the Schengen Area;
• residency can be acquired and extended to all dependent family members;
• a flat tax rate of 15% on any income that is received in Malta from foreign sources;
• no income tax on income derived outside Malta and which is not received in Malta;
• no income tax on capital gains proceeds outside Malta and which are received in Malta;
• income arising in Malta and capital gains realised in Malta would be taxable in Malta at the higher rate of 35%;
• entitlement to a double taxation relief on income arising outside Malta.

Exemptions for Beneficiaries of Other Tax Programmes

To be eligible for the Global Residence Programme, you must relinquish your right to any other tax incentive benefit offered in Malta prior to applying for the Global Residence Programme. These are:

• Residents Scheme Regulations;
• High Net Worth Individuals Rules;
• Malta Retirement Programme Rules;
• United Nations Pensions Programme Rules;
• Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity Rules; and
• Highly Qualified Persons Rules.

The Global Residence Programme application form will allow your Authorised Registered Mandatory to declare in writing that you have relinquished your entitlement to any of the above, to enable you to pursue your application for the MRP.

Government Fees

For the application to be accepted and processed by the Government of Malta, you will need to pay a non-refundable contribution fee to the Commissioner For Revenue upon submission of the Global Residence Programme application. A non-refundable application fee of €6,000 if the property is located in the north of Malta, or €5,500 if the property is in south of Malta or in Gozo, is applicable and due to the Malta Commissioner of Revenue.

How to Apply for the Global Residence Programme

You can apply for the Global Residence Programme through an Authorised Registered Mandatory, who will be authorised by you to act on your behalf and liaise with the Malta Commissioner For Revenue.

Signature Private Office is part of The Signature Selection. We are an Authorised Registered Mandatory (ARM) duly registered and licensed by the Commissioner for Revenue with licence number ARM 04861.

After You Have Submitted Your Application

Once your application, together with all supporting documentation required plus the contribution fee is received by the Commissioner For Revenue, the necessary checks will be conducted to make sure that all the relevant has been appropriately submitted. An acknowledgement letter will then be issued to your Authorised Registered Mandatory. If the application is, for some reason, incomplete and cannot be processed, you will be notified.

All valid applications go through a due diligence process, the result of which will be notified to your Authorised Registered Mandatory. If the outcome is positive the applicant, together with their Authorised Registered Mandatory, will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview with the authorities. 

Following the interview, if a certified final deed or lease agreement is still pending, a letter of intent will be issued. The letter will be valid for one year from the date it was issued, and the outstanding documents must be submitted within that time. Alternative, if all necessary papers are in place, a notice of primary residence will be sent to you. You will need to sign and return it.