An individual becomes a tax resident of Malta by:

• Spending 183 days or more in Malta during a calendar year, or
• Establishing Malta as their permanent home (center of vital interests), even with fewer than 183 days of physical presence

Malta applies a remittance-based taxation for non-domiciled residents—a status that virtually all American retirees will hold.

Under Malta’s resident-non-domiciled regime, individuals are taxed only on:

1. Income arising in Malta (Maltese-source income); and
2. Foreign income remitted to Malta (transferred into Malta)

Not taxable in Malta:

1. Foreign income not remitted to Malta (kept outside Malta)
2. Foreign capital gains, even if remitted to Malta—this is a critical advantage unique to Malta

This system allows American retirees to manage their tax exposure by controlling which income they bring into Malta and which they keep in foreign accounts.

The standard resident non-domicile regime requires a minimum annual tax of €5,000. However, this minimum does not apply to individuals participating in Malta’s special residency programmes (including the Malta Retirement Programme) or those whose foreign income is less than €35,000

Remittance Planning

The most powerful tool for American retirees in Malta is strategic remittance management:

Optimal Strategy:

1. Remit only necessary living expenses to Malta to minimize the base subject to Malta’s 15% tax
2. Keep investment accounts and non-pension assets in US banks to avoid remittance taxation
3. Realize capital gains while in Malta to benefit from Malta’s foreign capital gains exemption
4. Time large remittances (e.g., for property purchase) using capital gains proceeds, which are Malta tax-exempt

Example:

• Total annual income: $150,000 ($50,000 Social Security + $60,000 IRA + $40,000 investment income)
• Social Security: Not taxable in Malta
• Remit to Malta: $70,000 ($60,000 IRA + $10,000 investment income for living expenses)
• Malta tax: $70,000 × 15% = $10,500
• Keep in US: $30,000 investment income → 0% Malta tax
• US tax: Full amount minus Foreign Tax Credit for Malta tax paid

The Malta Retirement Programme offers the most attractive option specifically designed for retirees.
To qualify, applicants must:

• Receive pension income that constitutes at least 75% of their total taxable income in Malta
• Purchase property worth at least €275,000, or €220,000 in Gozo/southern Malta, or rent property for at least €9,600 annually – €8,750 in Gozo/southern Malta
• Not be employed in Malta – though non-executive board positions are permitted
• Spend at least 90 days per year in Malta averaged over five years
• Not reside in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days per year

Under this program, foreign-source income remitted to Malta is taxed at a flat rate of 15%, with a minimum annual tax obligation of €7,500 plus €500 for each dependent.
For American retirees under the Malta Retirement Programme:

• Private pension distributions are subject to Malta’s 15% flat rate on amounts remitted
• The US may also tax these distributions, but Foreign Tax Credit mechanisms prevent double taxation

For retirees with significant assets, the MPRP requires larger investments but offers permanent residency for life.
Investment requirements include:

• Government contribution of €28,000 if purchasing property, or €58,000 if renting
• Property purchase of €350,000+ central/northern Malta, or €300,000+ southern Malta/Gozo, or rental of €12,000+ annually
• €2,000 donation to a Maltese NGO
• €40,000 administration fee
• Proof of assets worth at least €500,000 – including €150,000 in financial assets

American retirees on Medicare face a challenge: Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United States.
Solutions:

• Private international health insurance: Required for all Maltese residency programmes
• Malta public healthcare access: Available if receiving UK or certain EU state pensions with S1 form; not available for US Social Security
• Hybrid approach: Many retirees maintain US insurance for periodic visits and Malta coverage for day-to-day needs

Despite Malta residency, American citizens must continue filing American tax returns and reporting worldwide income if their income exceeds $10,000, or $400 for self-employment income. The American-Malta tax treaty helps prevent double taxation but does not eliminate American tax obligations.

American Social Security benefits are particularly favorable for Malta residents. Under the American-Malta tax treaty, Social Security payments are taxed exclusively by the United States, meaning Malta cannot impose additional taxes on these benefits. This provides significant tax savings compared to other pension income.

The treaty provides that pensions and retirement benefits are generally taxable only in the country of residence. For American retirees living in Malta:

• American-source pensions, other than Social Security, paid to Malta residents are taxable only in Malta
• Malta residents over 61 years receive an 80% exemption on pension income – capped at €13,309, with the remaining amount subject to Malta’s progressive rates
• A 15% tax rebate applies to pension income above certain thresholds

American retirees may qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, allowing them to exclude up to $130,000 of foreign earned income for 2025. However, this exclusion does not apply to pension income, rental income, dividends, interest, or capital gains.

FBAR (FinCEN Form 114)
American retirees with Malta bank accounts exceeding $10,000 must file FBAR reports annually. Malta pension plans are reportable on FBAR as foreign financial accounts.
To learn more about FBAR go here.

Form 8938 (FATCA)
If overseas assets exceed $200,000 per person (excluding primary residence), Form 8938 must be filed.

Form 3520/3520-A
Malta pension plans may require reporting as foreign trusts using Form 3520/3520-A, depending on their structure.

The IRS has taken a strong stance against certain Malta personal retirement schemes that American taxpayers have used to circumvent American tax law. In 2021, the IRS issued a Competent Authority Arrangement clarifying that these schemes do not qualify for treaty benefits. The IRS now treats these arrangements as “listed transactions” requiring special reporting.

Malta considers individuals tax residents if they spend more than 183 days in Malta within any 12-month period. American retirees must carefully manage their time to avoid inadvertent tax residence in multiple jurisdictions.

Under the treaty, capital gains from American investments are generally taxed in Malta for Malta residents. However, gains from American real estate sales may still be subject to American tax.

The Malta – USA double tax treaty generally provides that private pensions (including 401(k), IRA, and other qualified retirement plans) may be taxed by both countries, but the country of residence (Malta) has primary taxing rights.

American retirees can claim Foreign Tax Credit on their US returns for Maltese taxes paid, preventing double taxation. Since Malta’s 15% rate under MRP is often lower than US marginal rates, retirees may still owe some US tax, but the overall burden is reduced.

Alternatively, some income types may qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (approximately $120,000 for 2024), though this typically applies to employment income rather than pension income

Malta imposes no wealth, inheritance, estate, or gift taxes, making it attractive for estate planning purposes. This contrasts with American estate tax obligations that continue to apply to American citizens regardless of residence.

American citizens remain subject to 15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings, as there is no American-Malta totalization agreement. Neither the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion nor Foreign Tax Credit can reduce this obligation.

Malta’s absence of inheritance, estate, and gift taxes provides substantial estate planning advantages for American retirees:

• No Malta tax on worldwide assets at death – although US estate tax still applies for US citizens
• Simplified succession planning for Malta-based assets
• No gift tax in Malta on lifetime transfers to heirs
• US estate tax exemption: $13.61 million per person (2024), but portability and planning still important

• US Social Security: $45,000 annually
• IRA distributions: $80,000 annually
• Investment dividends/interest: $30,000 annually
• Capital gains (periodic): $50,000 every few years from stock sales

• Social Security ($45,000): Not taxable in Malta (treaty)
• Remit to Malta for living expenses: $90,000 ($80,000 IRA + $10,000 investment income)
• Malta tax: $90,000 × 15% = $13,500
• Keep in US accounts: $20,000 investment income → 0% Malta tax
• Capital gains: Sell US stocks, transfer $50,000 to Malta for property renovation → 0% Malta tax (foreign capital gains exempt)

• Total income: $155,000 ($45,000 + $80,000 + $30,000)
• US federal tax (estimated): ~$22,000
• Foreign Tax Credit for Malta tax: -$13,500
• Net US tax: ~$8,500

Total Tax Burden: $13,500 (Malta) + $8,500 (US) = $22,000 on $155,000 income = 14.2% effective rate.

Compare to US-only taxation: Approximately $25,000-$28,000 in combined federal and state tax (depending on state)

Annual Savings: $3,000-$6,000, plus estate tax planning benefits and superior lifestyle

Malta offers American retirees a compelling
combination of tax advantages:

• 15% flat tax rate on foreign pension income remitted to Malta under MRP, far below US progressive rates
• 0% Malta tax on foreign income kept outside Malta (remittance basis)
• Complete 0% Malta tax for foreign capital gains, even if brought to Malta – unique advantage for investment portfolios
• Treaty protection: US Social Security taxable only in US; double taxation eliminated through Foreign Tax Credit

• No wealth, inheritance, estate, or gift taxes in Malta – major estate planning advantage
• Predictable, transparent system: Flat rates and clear rules eliminate uncertainty
• Quality of life: Mediterranean climate, English-speaking, EU membership, world-class healthcare (5th globally per WHO)
• Lower cost of living: 16-32% cheaper than UK, allows retirement income to stretch further

The tax implications for American retirees under Malta residency involve complex interactions between American worldwide taxation requirements and Malta’s favorable residency programs. While Malta offers attractive tax rates and Social Security benefits remain American-taxed, comprehensive tax planning is essential to navigate reporting requirements and avoid potential penalties. Professional tax and legal advice is strongly recommended given the complexity and recent IRS enforcement actions regarding Malta pension arrangements.

Acumum is not a US tax adviser, and you should consult an appropriately qualified US tax adviser to advise as to your particular circumstances.
Acumum is an Authorized Registered Mandatory (ARM) licensed by the Maltese Government to manage both Maltese citizenship and all Maltese residency programmes.

If you would like to know more as to how you can achieve tax efficient Maltese European residency, please contact us.