Malta Retirement
Programme
The Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) is a special tax residency scheme designed for retirees—both EU/ EEA/Swiss and non-EU nationals.
The Malta Retirement Programme provides a tax-efficient and secure route for retirees from around the world to enjoy life in Malta, provided all rules are followed and annually renewed.
Individuals benefitting from this MRP hold a non-executive post on the board of a company resident in Malta or participate in activities related to any institution, trust or foundation of a public character and any other similar organisation, which are also of a public character, that is engaged in philanthropic, educational or research and development work in Malta.
SPECIAL STATUS AND RESIDENCY RIGHTS
- The right to legally reside in Malta on a long term and permanent basis
- Permanent Schengen visa – visa free travel across 27 European member states granted
SIMPLICITY AND FLEXIBILITY
- No minimum pension amount is specified, only that it must be at least 75% of your total taxable income
- Flexible requirements for property ownership or rental, with lower thresholds in Gozo and the South of Malta
- No inheritance, wealth, or estate taxes
BENEFITS – FAVOURABLE TAX
- Participants are taxed at a flat 15% rate on foreign pension income remitted to Malta, with a minimum annual tax of €7,500 for the main applicant and €500 for each dependent
- No tax is levied on foreign income kept outside Malta – no world-wide taxation, so money not remitted (brought into Malta) is not taxable in Malta
- No wealth, inheritance nor estate taxes
- Double tax relief is available under Malta’s 70+ network of tax treaties, avoiding double taxation of pension income
- Any other foreign income (if any) remitted to Malta is taxed at 15%
- Other income, such as local Malta income, is taxed at 35%
Example Tax Saving Scenarios
If your yearly foreign pension remitted to Malta is €100,000, under the Malta Retirement you would pay 15%, or €15,000. In many higher-tax countries, this could be €25,000–€35,000 (at 25%–35% tax rate) – offering a savings of €10,000–€20,000 per year
If you remit only €50,000, the tax would be €7,500, as this is the minimum due. In a 30% tax jurisdiction, you might owe €15,000—again, a savings of €7,500 each year.
| Pension Remitted to Malta |
Tax Under Malta Retirement Programme (15%) |
Example Tax at 30% Elsewhere |
Estimated Annual Tax Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| €100,000 | €15,000 | €30 000 | €15 000 |
| €70 000 | €10 500 | €21 000 | €10 500 |
| €50 000 | €7 500 (minimum) | €15 000 | €7 500 |
| €40 000 | €7 500 (minimum) | €12 000 | €4 500 |
WHICH DEPENDENTS / FAMILY MEMBERS CAN BE INCLUDED IN APPLICATION?
- Spouse/partner
- Minor children
- Adopted children
- Children in the care and custody of the beneficiary or spouse
- Adult children with disabilities
An additional fee €250 per dependent is to be paid to the government.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The main applicant:
- Must receive a pension that makes up at least 75% of their taxable income, and this pension must be remitted to Malta
- Must not be a Maltese national or domiciled in Malta, nor intend to become domiciled there within five years
- Cannot participate in or benefit from any other Maltese special tax status or employment in Malta – except for certain directorship or philanthropic roles
- Must have a clean criminal record and not have been denied a visa in a country with a visa-waiver agreement with Malta
- Be in possession of sickness insurance which covers himself and his dependents in respect of all risks across the whole of the EU normally covered for Maltese nationals
- Be able to adequately communicate in one of the official languages of Malta – English or Maltese
- Be in receipt of stable and regular resources which are sufficient to maintain himself and his dependents without recourse to the social assistance system in Malta
PROPERTY REQUIREMENT
A “qualifying property” must be purchased or rented as your main residence in Malta:
- Buy in Malta: minimum €275,000
- Buy in Gozo/South Malta: minimum €220,000 / €250,000
- Rent in Malta: minimum €9,600 per year
- Rent in Gozo/South Malta: minimum €8,750 per year
PHYSICAL PRESENCE
- Applicants must reside in Malta for more than 90 days per year – averaged over five years
- It is highly recommended that you do not reside in any other single jurisdiction for more than 183 days in a year
The Procedure
Step one
Application
Submit an application and supporting documents through a registered agent
Step two
APPLICATION FEE
Pay a non-refundable application fee of €2,500 at time of submission of application
Step three
DUE DILIGENCE
Undergo due diligence/background checks and interviews if required
Step four
APPROVAL
Receive approval in principle, after which remaining documents and evidence must be submitted
- Completed Notice of Primary Residence duly signed by the applicant
Certified true copy of the lease agreement or final deed, and - A copy of the receipt confirming that the minimum tax was paid to the Commissioner for Revenue.
It is important to provide full and accurate information. In cases of doubt, providing more detail, rather than less, is advised.
Any omissions or incorrect information may delay processing of the application.
Step five
ADDITIONAL FEE
An additional fee €250 per dependent is to be paid to the government
MEDITERRANEAN LIFESTYLE
- Enjoy Malta’s mild Mediterranean climate, beautiful scenery, and a high quality of life tailored to retirees
- Safe, English-speaking community with low crime rates, making integration simpler for newcomers
ACCESS TO EUROPEAN HEALTHCARE
- Eligibility to access Malta’s reputable healthcare system with required health insurance
- Coverage extends to the EU with the appropriate insurance, giving flexibility and peace of mind
IDEAL LOCATION AND CONNECTIVITY
- Malta is well-connected for travel within Europe, Africa, and the Middle East
The Malta Retirement Programme provides an attractive package for retirees seeking tax efficiency, safety, access to quality healthcare, and a pleasant standard of living in an EU country.
An application for the Malta Retirement Programme may only be submitted through an Authorised Registered Mandatory (ARM). Acumum, an Authorised Registered Mandatory, may assist you with your application for residency under this Programme as well as with any tax obligations related to the Programme.
If you would like to know more, please contact us.
