Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit

The Malta Nomad Residence Permit, commonly known as the Malta Digital Nomad Visa, allows non-EU nationals to live in Malta and work remotely for employers or clients based outside the country. This permit is designed for remote employees, self-employed individuals, and freelancers who can prove they can work location-independently. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed for a total stay of up to four years, offering a fantastic opportunity to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle while maintaining your international career.

Key Benefits

Remote Work in Malta

Legally reside and work remotely in Malta for an employer or clients outside Malta.

Residency /Visa Duration

Initial permit for one year, renewable up to three times – total four years.

Family Inclusion

Eligible dependents – spouse/partner, minor children, adult dependent children – can join the applicant under the same permit.

Schengen Visa

The residency card will include a Schengen visa – giving you visa free travel within the 27 European member state countries.

High Quality of Life

Enjoy Malta’s Mediterranean climate, safety, English-speaking environment, and robust infrastructure

No Local Employment

Does not allow working for Maltese companies or providing services to Maltese clients as a freelancer

Flexible Stay

No obligation to remain in Malta for the entire permit period, but you must maintain accommodation and health insurance.

Eligibility Requirements

Nationality
Non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizens. Excludes nationals of certain countries – e.g., Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela.

Age
At least 18 years old.

Income
Minimum gross annual income of €42,000 (about €3,500/month) from remote work. Only income from professional activities counts; investment income does not qualify.

Remote Work
Must be employed by a foreign company, a partner/shareholder in a foreign company, or a self-employed freelancer with clients outside Malta.

Accommodation
Proof of a rental or purchase agreement for property in Malta.

Health Insurance
Valid health insurance covering Malta and the EU for the duration of stay.

Background Check
Clean criminal record and background verification.

Dependents

Who Qualifies

  • Spouse/partner
  • Children under 18
  • Financially dependent adult children

Income Requirement
Applicant must earn 20% of Malta’s median wage extra for each family member included in application.

Fees
Each family member included incurs an additional €300 application fee.

Tax Implications for Digital Nomads in Malta

Malta offers an attractive tax environment for holders of the Nomad Residence Permit. As a permit holder, you are generally not subject to personal income tax in Malta on your foreign-sourced income. This is because your work and source of income remain outside of Malta. You will, however, be subject to consumption tax (VAT) on goods and services purchased in Malta. It is crucial to seek professional tax advice to understand your specific obligations, as your country of origin’s tax laws may still apply. Proper structuring is key to ensuring full compliance.

Malta Digital Nomad – Summary Table

FEATURE DETAILS
Duration 1 year – renewable up to 4 years
Income Requirement €42,000/year – investment income is excluded
Who Can Apply Remote employees, freelancers, business owners with clients/employers abroad
Family Inclusion Spouse/partner, minor and dependent adult children
Local Work Allowed? No
Accommodation Required Yes
Health Insurance Required for Malta and EU

Who Should Apply?

  • Remote workers seeking to live and work in Malta while maintaining employment abroad
  • Freelancers and digital entrepreneurs with clients outside Malta
  • Individuals or families wanting to experience Malta’s lifestyle together – perhaps as a stepping stone to one of the more permanent or longer term residency programmes such as the Global Residency Programme, the Malta Permanent Residency Programme, or the Malta Retirement Programme

The Process

Steps to Apply for Malta’s Digital Nomad Visa

Stage one

PREPARE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

  • Completed application form – typed, not handwritten
  • Copy of all pages of your passport – including front and back cover and all blank pages
  • Cover letter/Letter of intent – explaining why you wish to move to Malta?
  • Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Proof of financial means – bank statements from the last three months
  • Proof of minimum income – €42,000 a year
  • Proof of remote work/employment – employment contract, business registration docs, or client contracts, depending on your work situation)
  • Health insurance policy – covering Malta and other EU countries
  • Rental agreement or proof of accommodation in Malta
  • Police conduct certificate – clean criminal record from country of residence
  • Additional documents if including family – marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc.

Stage two

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION ONLINE

All documents must be in English or officially translated

Stage three

PAY APPLICATION FEE

  • Pay the €300 fee for the main applicant (and €300 for each family member, if included) via bank transfer or as instructed
  • This payment occurs at the time of online submission and is non-refundable. A separate €27.50 fee per applicant is required later for the residency card

Stage four

WAIT FOR APPLICATION REVIEW AND APPROVAL

  • The Residency Malta Agency will review your application. Expect communication if further documents or clarifications are needed.
  • Processing typically takes 30–60 days.

Stage five

APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE

  • If successful, you receive a “Letter of Approval in Principle.”
  • Within 30 days of receiving this letter, you must submit:
    • Final proof of accommodation in Malta
    • Valid health insurance policy for your entire stay

Stage six

FINAL APPROVAL

  • Once these confirmations are provided, you receive the “Letter of Final Approval.”
  • If required (based on your country), apply for an entry visa to Malta at this stage

Stage seven

ARRIVAL AND BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT

  • Upon arrival in Malta, notify the Residency Malta Agency and arrange a biometrics appointment – for fingerprints and photo
  • Attend the appointment and pay the €27.50 residency card fee

Stage eight

RECEIVE YOUR RESIDENCE CARD

  • Typically within 3–4 weeks after biometrics, you will be notified when your residence card is ready for collection
  • This card is valid for one year, with possible renewal up to a maximum of four years total

This process is designed to be completed entirely online – except for biometrics and card collection after arrival in Malta.

The Malta Digital Nomad Visa does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship, and does not allow working for Maltese companies or clients.

How Acumum Can Help You Secure Your Malta Nomad Residence Permit

Navigating the application process for the Malta Nomad Residence Permit can be complex. The legal team at Acumum provides comprehensive, end-to-end support to ensure your application is seamless and successful. Our services include:

Initial Consultation

We assess your eligibility and provide a clear overview of the requirements and process.

Document Preparation and Review

Our experts assist you in gathering, preparing, and reviewing all necessary documentation to ensure it meets the strict standards of the Residency Malta Agency.

Application Submission

We handle the entire online submission process on your behalf, liaising with the authorities to ensure your application is processed efficiently.

Ongoing Support

We provide assistance throughout your stay, including guidance on renewals and any other legal matters that may arise during your time in Malta.

Contact us today to begin your journey to living and working remotely from the heart of the Mediterranean.

Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible, a single applicant must demonstrate a minimum gross annual income of €42,000. This threshold increases if you are including dependents in your application. The income must come from remote work activities.

No, the permit strictly prohibits you from taking up employment with any Maltese company or providing services to local Maltese clients. Your work must be for employers or clients located outside of Malta.

Once all required documents are submitted, the Residency Malta Agency typically processes applications within 30 to 60 days. Processing times can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the volume of applications.

No, the Nomad Residence Permit is a temporary residence permit and does not provide a direct path to permanent residency or Maltese citizenship. It is designed for temporary stays of up to four years.

While you must maintain a residential address in Malta throughout your permit’s validity, there is no minimum physical presence requirement. This gives you the flexibility to travel, including visa-free movement within the Schengen Area.