Temporary Residency

Applicable only to those individuals who wish to obtain an extended tourist permit to enable them to stay on the Maltese Islands for a longer period than the 3 months allowed by law. This permit is renewable at fixed periods, presently every 6 months.

• Visas are obtainable from the Principal Immigration Department at the Police Headquarters in Floriana
•  Proof of income is required to prove that the applicant will not be a burden on the country
• Local income tax is limited to the funds brought into the country (only if temporary resident exceeds their stay of 182 aggregate days in one calendar year, otherwise exempt)

Importation of personal effects:
Overseas purchasers who are not in possession of Permanent Residency are required, upon arrival of their used effects, to pay a deposit to cover duty on all imported items. This deposit will be refunded to them either when they are granted freedom of movement or if they live in Malta for not less than 200 days in a period of one year immediately following the arrival of the goods, whichever is the earliest.

The deposit amount, when due, depends on the quantity of the imported effects. It can, however, be safely indicated that a container full of personal effects (including video and 2 TV’s) does not incur a deposit or bank guarantee of more than €2,330. In the event that a car is being imported, no charges apply. Cars may only remain on the island for a maximum of three months at a time.

As highlighted in the previous section, there are many benefits to residing in Malta.  The following are the guidelines for non-Maltese citizen wishing to apply for temporary residency and purchasing property:

Extended visas to remain in the country are obtainable from the Principal Immigrant Department, Police Headquarters, Floriana, normally 6 month periods.

Proof of income is required by the authorities to ensure the resident will not be a burden on the country.

Local income tax payable is limited to funds imported into the country. (If resident in Malta for less than 6 months per calendar year no tax whatsoever is due). Temporary residents are subject to local tax conditions if their stay exceeds 182 days consecutively in one calender year

Non-residents / temporary residents may purchase a holiday home in Malta under the following terms and conditions:

• A preliminary agreement or promise of sale must be signed undertaking to purchase a property of not less than €99,042 in the case of an apartment or maisonette and not less than €165,024  for any other type of residential property. Properties in shell form or requiring renovation may be purchased at lower figures, provided that the estimated cost of works for completion along with the purchase price add up to no less than the above stipulated price thresholds.
• An A.I.P. (Acquisition of Immovable Property) permit (cost €232.94) is required from the Ministry of Finance and is normally granted within 3 months of application.  Generally, the Notary Public looking after the transaction will apply for this.
  
• The property being purchased must only be used for personal use by the purchaser and his/her immediate family. 
  
• Funds used for the acquisition of the property need to have documentary proof of having originated outside of the Maltese Islands.
• Applicants may only own one property in Malta or Gozo at any given time.  The A.I.P. permit will only be granted for the second property once the contract for the sale of the first property is signed.
• A non-resident may sell his/her property to another non-resident, provided that efforts have been made to find a local buyer. Approval for this is required from the Ministry of Finance.
  
• Properties having historical value or listed as part of the Island's heritage may not be purchased by non-residents.  Most farmhouses and houses of character on the market are not affected by this.
  

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  Please note that all information was to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of going to print.  Should any changes in rules or regulations be altered we cannot be held responsible.  It would be in your interest to consult a legal adviser.