Malta Startup
Residence Programme

In order to facilitate the migration process for non-EU entrepreneurs, the Malta Startup Residence Programme grants a three-year residence permit (which may be extended to five years), during which beneficiaries are able to reside in Malta while launching their startup venture.

This ensures a seamless residency period that provides peace of mind to entrepreneurs, while they focus on launching their business or direct their energy towards scaling up.

The programme is run by Residency Malta and Malta Enterprise, and is open to founders, co-founders, core employees and immediate family members. The Malta Startup Residence Programme offers beneficiaries long-term business and family stability, as well as the opportunity to attract and retain international talent, and reach business contacts across Europe through visa-free access to Schengen countries.

To be eligible, founders and co-founders must:

• Be an 18+ third country national (TCN) and not hail from non-eligible countries listed by Residency Malta from time to time
• Have a concrete intention to develop and/or expand a highly innovative business in Malta
• Be the founder or co-founder of an enterprise, which has been registered anywhere globally for seven years or less, has not taken over the activity of another enterprise, or formed through a merger
• Be fit-and-proper, of good conduct and pose no potential threat to national security, public policy, public health or public interest
• Be in possession of sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any dependants
• Must not have had previous applications for permanent residency, residency-by-investment or citizenship rejected in Malta or abroad

The Malta-incorporated startup is required to place a tangible investment and/or paid-up minimum share capital of €25,000. In cases where more than four co-founders apply, an additional €10,000 needs to be placed per additional co-founder. A maximum of six eligible co-founders is allowed.

The founder and/or co-founders that benefit from this programme need to have a physical and tangible presence in Malta, not only from a business point of view, but also in terms of living and paying taxes in Malta.

Applicants must also secure health insurance that covers risks in Malta, and other European countries, for themselves and any dependants.

A residence permit will be issued for an initial period of three years. This can be renewed for a further five years (three years for core employees) as long as the startup is still operational, and the founder/co-founders still meet the Programme’s eligibility criteria. After five years residency, long-term residency may then be applied for.

A cost-competitive application fee of €750 per adult applies, in addition to a residency card fee of €82.50.