Malta Nomad Residence Permit 2026: Income, Fees, Renewal

Who it is for, visa status and travel

The official eligibility page says applicants must prove they can work remotely, using telecoms, and must be third country nationals (non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals). The FAQ adds that applicants must be 18 years and over. Applicants must also prove they fall under any one of three categories. They either work for an employer registered in a foreign country and have a contract of work; or conduct business activities for a company registered in a foreign country of which they are a partner or shareholder; or offer freelance or consulting services to clients whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country and with whom they have contracts. The checklist says applicants with an expired visa shall be precluded from applying. The FAQ says the application process does not provide an automatic extension to one's visa. While the permit is valid, a holder may travel in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period.

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Exclusions, work restrictions and refusals

The official pages say persons contracted by a foreign company and giving services to its Maltese subsidiary are ineligible. The FAQ adds persons who directly or indirectly will be providing services to Malta based companies or individuals. It says nationals of Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela, and people with close ties to these countries, are currently ineligible, and that applications from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are currently ineligible. The Agency may revise this list. Permit holders and their dependants cannot be engaged in any economic activity with employers or companies based or registered in Malta. The FAQ says refusal reasons are not shared and a fresh application is possible 12 months from the Rejection Letter. Residency Malta reserves the right to revoke an approval for adverse information on the applicant or a dependant, or a breach of the programme's eligibility requirements.

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Income and funds

The eligibility page says an applicant must have a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000. Applicants who submitted their application prior to 1st April 2024 will still retain the same annual gross income requirement of €32,400. The checklist says applicants in all employment statuses must prove they have a guaranteed source of income, as per applicable thresholds, for a minimum period of 5 months (cumulative) from the day of application. It asks for the last three months' bank statements in the name of the Main Applicant, with the applicant's income credited directly to those bank accounts.

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Health insurance and accommodation

The eligibility page lists health insurance covering risks in the European Union (including Malta) and the UK, and a valid property rental or purchase agreement. The FAQ says the policy for each applicant needs a minimum coverage of €100,000 for the European Union (including Malta) and the UK, and must be fully pre-paid for one full year. Travel insurance is not accepted, and policies paid monthly are not acceptable. Proof of accommodation and a health insurance policy are due within 30 working days of the Letter of Approval in Principle. The minimum duration required as proof of accommodation for the card is twelve (12) months, and a card cannot be issued on a temporary address. The FAQ allows a temporary accommodation booking, starting after the Letter of Approval in Principle, of 15 days to one month. It says it is not acceptable to reside in a hostel, a marina or boat, or a caravan.

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Documents and family members

The checklist lists Application Form N4, a signed Letter of Intent, a Curriculum Vitae, a copy of all passport pages, and bank statements. Applicants aged 18 and over must provide an original police conduct certificate, less than 6 months old on submission. An employee submits a contract of employment stating that work may be performed remotely, independent of location. A freelancer submits service contracts showing the work duties and rate of payment. A self-employed applicant submits a Certificate of Incorporation and Share Register. Documents not in English need an English translation, and all documentation must be submitted in PDF format. Unmarried couples in a stable and ongoing relationship for more than two consecutive years (de facto partners) must provide a declaration signed by both applicants, dated photographs and two documents such as utility bills, lease agreements or bank statements. The FAQ's listed dependants include the spouse, minor children and certain adult children; after payment or approval they can be added only at renewal, with newborns the sole exception.

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How to apply, fees and timing

The FAQ says the application must be made through the online application system. A receipt of application is issued with instructions to pay a €300 non-refundable administrative fee for each applicant, by bank transfer. A fee of €100 per person for the residency card is paid in person at Residency Malta's offices, by card only, and other visa related fees may also apply. Processing is expected to take 30 working days from the issuance of the receipt of funds, not including any processing time required for visa issuance. The FAQ lists the nationalities that require an entry visa. The grant of a permit is always discretionary, and the Agency's decision is final. Once in Malta, the applicant sets up a biometrics appointment by email, and the residence card takes between 3 and 4 weeks to be issued. The FAQ also lists €50 for a change of address and a €50 fee for card issuance after a lost or stolen card.

nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt: New FAQS – Nomad Residence Permit

How long it lasts, renewal and what it does not give

The FAQ says the permit is valid for one year from the issuance of the residency card. It may be renewed three times, for a maximum total stay of four years, at the discretion of Residency Malta Agency and subject to the applicant still being able to satisfy the programme requirements. Renewal needs a bank statement showing payment transactions in Malta as proof of at least five months' cumulative residence there over the previous twelve months. Second and third renewals also need a declaration, available on the portal, confirming compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations. If no renewal application is submitted, or it is rejected, a fresh application is possible 12 months after the permit expires, and earlier stays count toward the four-year maximum. The permit does not lead to permanent or long-term residency or citizenship. The FAQ also says a holder is not entitled to free health care, a pension in Malta, social benefits in Malta or free education.

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What this page does not cover

This page does not cover Maltese tax treatment, how long the Letter of Final Approval stays valid, the final proof documents for accommodation, how to notify a change of address, entry visa and visa service details, which adult children count as dependants, or the cost of accommodation or health insurance. Check the official pages for them.