Non EU nationals and EU nationals are now able to apply

The Malta Retirement Programme is aimed at retirees or adults nearing retirement age, considering taking up residence in Malta, in a country that offers them the best in terms of climate, lifestyle, health services and peace of mind, whilst also providing attractive tax benefits.

Beneficiaries would also be able to hold a non-executive post on the board of a company, resident in Malta or partake in activities related to any institution, trust or foundation of a public character or any other similar organisation or body of persons, also of a public character, which is engaged in philanthropic, educational or research and development work in Malta.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Both EU and Non-EU nationals are eligible to apply.
  • To qualify for the Malta Retirement Programme, an applicant must also hold a qualifying property for the duration of their Residency Certificate, either by purchasing or renting:
      • In the case of purchasing a property, the minimum value must be of at least €220,000 for properties situated in Gozo and the South of Malta, or a minimum of €275,000 for properties situated in the rest of Malta;
      • If the applicant opts to rent a property this must be of a minimum rent of €8,750 per annum for properties situated in Gozo or the South of Malta or a minimum rent of €9,600 per annum for properties situated in the rest of Malta.

  • Applicants must be in receipt of a pension as supported by documentary evidence, all of which is received in Malta and which constitutes at least 75% of the beneficiary’s chargeable income.

  • Applicant must reside in Malta for not less than 90 days a year, averaged over a 5-year period. He/she may not stay in any one particular foreign jurisdiction for more than 183 days in a calendar year.

  • Applicant must not be domiciled in Malta and must not intend to establish his domicile in Malta within 5 years from the date of the application for the special tax status

  • Applicant must have a valid travel document and must hold insurance covering both applicant and his dependents, in respect of all risks across the whole of the EU.

TAX BENEFIT

The Programme grants its beneficiaries a tax rate of 15% on pension and foreign income remitted from overseas (subject to a minimum tax payment of €7500 per annum and an additional €500 per dependent) and received in Malta by both the beneficiary and his/her dependents, with the possibility to also claim double taxation relief. The pension has to be directly received all in Malta and constitutes at least 75% of the chargeable income.

Any other income not covered by the programme, including income arising in Malta, will be subject to tax at a flat rate of 35%.

FEES

A non-refundable administrative fee of €2,500 is chargeable for each application.