The Malta Ordinary Residence Programme is an attractive residence programme currently available to EU & EEA nationals and nationals of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland seeking to transfer their tax residence to a safe, high quality and tax-efficient jurisdiction such as Malta.
Eligibility for Malta Ordinary Residence
- Citizens eligible to apply for ordinary residence in Malta include all EU and EEA citizens, as well as nationals of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. Their eligible family members, even if Non-EU citizens are eligible to be included in the same application.
- Applicants for ordinary residence status need to demonstrate financial independence demonstrating that they can sustain themselves and their family members (included in the same application) without claiming from the Maltese social security system.
- Ordinary residents need to evidence their local residential address by purchasing or renting a house or apartment in Malta. There is no minimum qualifying value for the residential property. This needs to be available at the time of filing of the application.
- Ordinary residents may live and enter into any business or employment in Malta.
- Holders of ordinary residence permits are allowed to convert to other available residence routes and programmes.
Remittance Based Tax System for Malta Ordinary Residence
Not domiciled ordinary residents of Malta are subject to tax in Malta on remittance basis. Accordingly, ordinary residents are not taxable on foreign source income not received in Malta and also not taxable on any capital gains arising outside Malta, whether remitted to Malta or otherwise.
Ordinary residents of Malta who are not domiciled in Malta and whose foreign annual income exceeds €35,000, should settle minimum tax of €5,000 on annual basis.
Conditions of ordinary residence permits allow resident permit holders to take up residence in Malta and physically live in Malta with the possibility of taking up employment and doing business in Malta.
Ordinary Residence Permit Application Process
Applications for Ordinary Residence permits are generally processed within a shorter time compared with other residence permit applications. Currently, the processing time is between 6-8 weeks from the date of submission of the application with the Competent Authority.
Our Ordinary Residence Services
Led by Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti and Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker, Chetcuti Cauchi's award-winning Immigration & Relocation Law team is the oldest specialised immigration law practice in Malta. We have successfully represented individuals and families ranging from expatriate retirees, emigrants seeking employment, to HNW individuals listed in Fortune 500.
As advocates, we are registered authorised mandataries according to law and our firm is authorised by the Maltese immigration and tax authorities. We are able to advise you on the tax and legal implications and requirements of the residence application process and indicate expected time frames based on the specific circumstances and nature of your application. Our pre-immigration planning advice covers the rules applicable to immigrating to Malta under a number of available residence programmes as well as practical relocation assistance ranging from transportation and insurance to schooling and health insurance coverage.
Related publications:
- Ordinary Residency Applications
- Malta Retirement Programme
- Malta Permanent Residence Programme
- Malta High Net Worth Residence Programme - European Nationals
- Malta High Net Worth Residence Programme- Swiss Nationals
- Malta High Net Worth Residence Programme - Non-European Nationals
- Malta Tax Residence Programme for HNWIs from Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein
