Country guide

Malta,
decoded.

English is an official language. Qualifying retirees pay a flat 15% on the foreign income they bring in. There's no annual property tax and no inheritance tax. Here's everything else — from official sources, checked and dated.

Malta quick facts · verified 8 July 2026
574,250Population, of which 29.4% are foreign nationals (NSO, end-2024)
96%Of residents understand English — an official language alongside Maltese (NSO Skills Survey 2023)
15%Flat tax on remitted foreign income under the Retirement and Global Residence Programmes
€375kMinimum property purchase for MPRP permanent residence (2025 rules; or rent €14,000/yr)
~€1,500/moAverage apartment rent in Sliema/St Julian's; Gozo 1-beds from ~€500 (listing data, 2025)
+5.7%Residential property prices, year to Q3 2025 (NSO price index)
83.2 yrsLife expectancy at birth, 2024 — and the EU's most healthy life years (Eurostat)
~3,000 hrsSunshine per year — among the highest in Europe
The Malta guide

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Recent rule changes

Three things that changed recently — and matter

Citizenship by investment is dead. The EU Court of Justice ruled Malta's investor-citizenship scheme contrary to EU law on 29 April 2025 (Commission v Malta, C-181/23). Malta repealed it in July 2025. Residency programmes are unaffected — but nobody can lawfully sell you a fast Maltese passport anymore. Ordinary naturalisation after 5 years' residence exists, and it is entirely discretionary.
The MPRP got a new price list in 2025. Legal Notice 146 of 2025 restructured the Malta Permanent Residence Programme: a €60,000 administration fee, a flat €37,000 contribution whether you buy or rent, property at €375,000 (or €14,000/year rent), and lower fees for family members.
Work-permit costs and thresholds rose in August 2025. Single-permit application fees doubled to €600, and the Key Employee Initiative salary threshold rose to €45,000. The Nomad Residence Permit income bar has been €42,000/year since April 2024.
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