Ways to live in Malta
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
Nomad Residence Permit
One-year residence permit for non-EU citizens who keep working remotely for a foreign employer, their own foreign company or foreign clients. It can be renewed up to 4 years in total.
- What you need
- Age 18+, citizen of a country outside the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, working only for foreign employers or clients and earning at least €42,000 gross a year. Also: health insurance with €100,000+ cover, a 12-month lease or own home in Malta and a police certificate; Russian, Belarusian and some other nationals are currently not eligible.
- Income
- from about $4,060 a month
- How long
- 1 year; renewable 3 times, up to 4 years in total
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- €300 application fee + €100 residence card, per person
- Processing time
- About 30 working days after payment; residence card 3–4 weeks
- How to apply
- Online via the Residency Malta portal, then biometrics in Malta; renewal needs 5+ months in Malta over the past 12
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- No; it does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship
- Tax
- Special income-tax rules for nomad permit holders may apply; get independent tax advice
Work permit Work permits →
Key Employee Initiative (fast-track single work and residence permit)
A fast track to Malta's single work and residence permit for senior managers and highly qualified specialists hired by a Maltese employer. Lower-paid jobs go through the standard single permit procedure.
- What you need
- Job offer for a managerial or highly technical role with a gross salary of at least €45,000 a year, certified qualifications or proof of relevant experience, and a local job advert run for at least two weeks within the two months before applying.
- Income
- from about $4,350 a month
- Renewable
- Yes
- Processing time
- about 5 working days once the application is complete
- How to apply
- The employer starts the application online on Identità's single permit portal
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Student visa Student visas →
Residence permit for studies
For non-EU students accepted onto a full-time higher education course in Malta at a licensed institution. Needed for courses longer than 90 days.
- What you need
- Acceptance onto a course leading to a qualification at level 5 or higher of the Malta Qualifications Framework, a passport valid for at least 6 more months, and health insurance (students of the University of Malta, MCAST and the Institute of Tourism Studies are exempt from the insurance rule).
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- €50
- How to apply
- Online on the Identità Expatriates Unit portal, then in person in Malta; visa-exempt students apply within 3 months of entering the EU, others first get a study visa
Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →
Startup Residence Programme
Residence for non-EU founders and co-founders of young innovative companies that move their business to Malta, with an approved business plan from Malta Enterprise (the national business development agency). Key employees and family can join.
- What you need
- Company registered no more than 7 years ago that has not paid out profit, working in fields such as software, manufacturing, life sciences or green technology. At least €25,000 invested or paid up as share capital, plus €10,000 for each co-founder beyond four (six at most). Founders must actually live and pay tax in Malta, have health insurance, enough personal funds and no criminal record. Applicants must be 18 or older.
- Savings
- about $29,000
- How long
- 3 years, then renewable for 5 more if the startup is still active
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online to Malta Enterprise with a business plan, then to Residency Malta
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Malta Permanent Residence Programme
Permanent residence for non-EU nationals who buy or rent property, pay a government contribution and show substantial assets. Up to four generations of a family can be included in one application.
- What you need
- Buy a home for at least €375,000 or rent one for at least €14,000 a year and keep it for at least 5 years. Hold at least €500,000 in assets including €150,000 in financial assets, or €650,000 including €75,000 in financial assets. Donate €2,000 to a registered Maltese charity. Apply through a licensed agent.
- Savings
- about $174,000
- How long
- Permanent; the residence card is renewed every 5 years
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- €60,000 administrative fee, €37,000 government contribution, €7,500 per adult dependant other than the spouse, €500 per residence card
- How to apply
- Through a Residency Malta licensed agent
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- This is permanent residence from the start.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $500 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $970 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $1,580 |
| Bills | $80 |
| Typical local salary | $2,010 |
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Malta packs baroque Valletta, fishing villages and diving spots into a short drive. Expats cluster in Sliema, St Julian's and Gzira, while quieter Gozo appeals to those wanting space. Summers are long and the sea is central to life.
Day to day
Buses cover the islands and ferries link Malta and Gozo; there is no railway. Healthcare is good, with public and private options. Cards are widely accepted. English and Maltese are both official.
Trade-offs
Traffic and construction noise are constant in the central towns. Rents are high and green space is scarce. Summer heat is strong and island life can feel small over time.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free
NorwayVisa-free
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Malta have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Malta offers: Nomad Residence Permit.
How can I move to Malta?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed, Investment and golden visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Malta were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Malta were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- Residency Malta: Nomad Residence Permit
- Residency Malta: Nomad eligibility
- Residency Malta: Nomad Residence Permit FAQs (v14.1, updated 17 April 2026)
- https://identita.gov.mt/
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
