Settle in Malta

Settle in Malta – Moving to Malta

Within this section you will find all you need to know about moving to the Malta, surrounded by the deep, blue Mediterranean Sea and where the sun shines for the majority of days throughout the year.

Permanent Residency

If you become a permanent resident in Malta you will need to pay 15 per cent tax on the income you bring into the country. Thanks to double tax treaties with various countries, you will probably not need to pay any tax to your country of origin.

Once you’ve become a permanent resident, of course you don’t need to necessarily live on the island all the time and can come and go as you wish.

Two Types of Residency

Depending on where you are emigrating from you can apply for one of two types of residency: the Ordinary Residence or the Permanent Residence. The difference between the two ultimately boils down to how much you are taxed.

Ordinary Residence

Ordinary Residence applies to people coming to Malta from the EU. The tax you pay is worked out by taking from 0 to 35 per cent of your income, minus a tax-credit, depending on how much you earn and marital status.

Permanent Residence

Permanent Residence is open to everyone, no matter what your country of origin is. If you’re not from the EU then this is what you need to apply for. You can also apply for this scheme if you are from the EU, but we recommend always consulting a lawyer to see which scheme is more suited to you.

You will need to renew your ordinary residence permit every five years, while permanent residence permits are renewable every year.

The Malta Global Residency Program

In July 2013, the Maltese Government introduced a new residency program. This offers special tax status to third country nationals (except for EEA and Swiss nationals) in Malta. To apply for this program you need to satisfy certain criteria such as buying or renting property in Malta or Gozo and paying a minimum annual tax liability on foreign income received in Malta.

Do I Need Professional Assistance To Apply For Residency?

Most people do not need professional assistance to apply for residency, as the application process is straightforward and easy now that Malta is a member of the EU.

However, the process can be time consuming so if you do not have a lot of time on your hands it might be worth considering professional assistance.

Also, an accountant can advise you what you are entitled to as well as help you to time your move tax-wise. The time of applying for residency may be dictated equally by the timing of ending your residency elsewhere and getting it in Malta.

All those who move to Malta, the smallest EU state, fall in love with its natural beauty,Other star attractions include the plethora of leisure activities namely diving, cultural events and night life.