Overview
The Nomad Residence Permit (NRP) lets non-EU nationals live in Malta for up to four years while working remotely for an employer registered abroad, running their own foreign-registered company, or freelancing for clients whose establishments are outside Malta. It is administered entirely online by the Residency Malta Agency.
Malta pairs the permit with its own tax rules (S.L. 123.210), which is why it attracts consultants and founders who want an EU base with a predictable, low rate on their remote earnings.
Editor's note — The income bar rose from €32,400 to €42,000 gross for applications submitted after 1 April 2024. Older guides still quote the lower figure — budget for €42,000.
Who is eligible
- Third-country national (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) who can work location-independently.
- Employed by a company registered abroad, self-employed through a company registered abroad, or freelancing for clients with permanent establishments abroad.
- Gross annual income of at least €42,000, evidenced over a cumulative minimum of five months before the application date.
- Health insurance with at least €100,000 cover for Malta, the EU and the UK, pre-paid for a full year.
- Clean police conduct certificate and a qualifying rented or owned property in Malta (minimum one-year lease for card issuance).
Income & financial requirements
Gross, from remote work for foreign employers or clients.
Per person, non-refundable, paid by bank transfer.
Per person, paid in Malta on collection.
Minimum cover, pre-paid for the full year.
The €42,000 gross figure applies to every applicant who filed after 1 April 2024; earlier applicants keep the old €32,400 threshold on renewal. Income must be shown for a cumulative minimum of five months before the application through contracts, payslips or invoices and matching bank statements.
There is no published savings test, but the Agency expects the income to be stable and to continue for the life of the permit.
Costs & fees
- Application fee of €300 per person (main applicant and each dependant), plus €100 per residence card.
- Pre-paid annual health insurance meeting the €100,000 threshold.
- A minimum one-year lease or property purchase; a €50 fee applies to each change of address.
Taxes
Malta's Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (S.L. 123.210) give qualifying remote-work income a 0% rate for the first twelve months and a flat 10% thereafter, provided the income is “authorised work” under the permit. The Agency itself does not give tax advice, so confirm your position with a Maltese tax adviser.
Other income follows the ordinary Maltese rules; spending more than 183 days in Malta usually makes you tax resident there.
How to apply
Apply online
Create an account on the Residency Malta portal, upload your documents and pay the €300 fee per applicant.
Wait for approval
The Agency issues a decision within about 30 working days from receipt of funds, after due-diligence checks.
Secure housing and insurance
Sign a lease of at least one year and hold pre-paid insurance covering the full card period.
Collect your card
Attend biometrics in Malta and pay the €100 card fee; the one-year clock starts from the card date.
Duration & renewal
The first permit is valid for one year from the residence card. It can be renewed up to three times for a total of four years, provided you still meet the income test and have spent at least five cumulative months in Malta during the previous twelve, shown through local bank transactions.
Bringing family
Spouses, minor children, dependent adult children and disabled adult children can be included from the outset (€300 application fee and €100 card each). Dependants cannot be added during a permit year, but they can be added when you apply for renewal; a child born during the permit is the exception.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- EU and Schengen base with English as an official language
- Fully online process with a fixed 30-working-day target
- 0% then 10% flat tax on authorised remote income
- Up to four years of renewals
Considerations
- No route to permanent residence or citizenship
- €300 fee is non-refundable even if refused
- One-year lease required before the card is issued
- Small island: housing supply and costs are tight