Southern Europe · Immigration

Malta

46 immigration routes

Malta sits in Southern Europe. Its immigration system runs 46 distinct routes — led by family, work and long-term residence, each set out in official law. All 46 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
46across 17 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
46 of 46cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Family8 of the 46 routes — see them under Family below
Region
Southern Europe
Capital
Valletta
Population
579,704
Official language
English, Maltese
Currency
EUR
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 46 routes, grouped by purpose — 46 of 46 cite an official government source directly.

Work

7 routes

For a third-country national with a Maltese employment contract lasting less than six months and a Jobsplus employment licence for the exact period.

Eligibility: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 6
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

For a non-EU manager, specialist or trainee transferred from an overseas undertaking to a related Maltese entity.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 10
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a third-country employee of a foreign undertaking temporarily posted to Malta after the posting is registered with the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 9
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

For a qualified researcher admitted by an accredited Maltese research organisation under a hosting agreement.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 7
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a third-country national whose principal residence remains abroad and who has a fixed-term contract for seasonal activity with a Malta-established employer.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 8
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a third-country national recognised by Jobsplus as a service provider and licensed to perform the specified service in Malta.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 8
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Investment

from €75,000
1 route

For a fit-and-proper adult third-country national who applies through a licensed agent, meets one of two asset tests, secures qualifying property, pays the statutory fees and contribution, donates €2,000 and holds health insurance.

Savings from €75,000
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 13Report facts: 8
Official government source: residencymalta.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Starting a business

3 routes

For a non-EU ultimate beneficial owner of an MFSA-authorised investment family office structure, together with qualifying senior employees such as the CEO, Head of Investment or Compliance Officer, and their dependants.

Eligibility: 2Report facts: 1
Official government source: residencymalta.gov.mt · checked 2026-08-03

For a third-country national who first obtains a Jobsplus self-employment licence under one of four narrowly defined qualifying branches.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 12
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Talent and merit

from €30,000/yr
3 routes

For a highly qualified third-country employee with a Maltese contract of at least six months and salary of at least 1.5 times Malta's average gross annual salary.

Eligibility: 6Process & costs: 8Report facts: 8
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-08-03

For a third-country national offered a managerial or highly technical Maltese position paying at least €45,000 gross annually.

Salary from €45,000/yr
Eligibility: 6Process & costs: 8Report facts: 6
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-08-03

For a specialist third-country employee with a Maltese employment contract, at least €30,000 gross annual salary and the specified qualification or qualification-plus-experience profile.

Salary from €30,000/yr
Eligibility: 6Process & costs: 7Report facts: 6
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-08-03

Study

2 routes

For a third-country national accepted into qualifying full-time study with a licensed Maltese institution.

Eligibility: 3Process & costs: 2Report facts: 9
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a third-country national undertaking a formal traineeship with a recognised Maltese host after both host and trainee are validated by Jobsplus.

Report facts: 1
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Family

8 routes

For a family member of a third-country national who does not qualify under the statutory reunification rules but meets Malta's current ex-gratia family policy.

Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

For an adult third-country national in a genuine, stable and subsisting relationship of at least two years with a Maltese citizen residing in Malta.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 13
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

For the spouse or minor child of a third-country sponsor who has lived lawfully and continuously in Malta for at least two years and meets support, accommodation and insurance conditions.

Documents: 2Report facts: 11
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Living from your own income

2 routes

For an EU, EEA or Swiss national residing in Malta for more than three months with sufficient resources and comprehensive sickness insurance.

Resources: minimum means determining Maltese social assistance
Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Remote work and digital nomads

from €42,000/yr
1 route

Long-term residence

4 routes

For an EU national or qualifying family member after five consecutive years of actual, lawful residence while exercising free-movement rights in Malta.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

For a third-country national with at least five years of legal continuous residence, stable resources, accommodation and completed integration measures.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 9
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Free movement

4 routes

For a qualifying UK national or family member whose protected residence in Malta began by 31 December 2020 under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.

Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Youth mobility

1 of 1 says who you can bring
1 route

For an Australian or New Zealand citizen aged 18 to 30 who has prior working-holiday authorisation and meets the programme's funds and insurance conditions.

Can bring: spouse, children
Eligibility: 3Documents: 3Process & costs: 3Report facts: 6
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Culture, faith and volunteering

2 routes

For a third-country national participating in voluntary service with a recognised voluntary organisation or a recognised youth-mobility voluntary project.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 13
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Short stays and visits

1 route

Humanitarian protection

4 routes

For an exceptional, individually assessed humanitarian case that falls outside Malta's standard migration and international-protection statuses.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 9
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

For a third-country national or stateless person in Malta seeking refugee status or subsidiary protection because return would expose them to persecution or serious harm.

Documents: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: ipa.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a rejected asylum seeker whom Malta's International Protection Agency chooses to protect on specified child, severe-medical or other humanitarian grounds.

Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: ipa.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Medical treatment

1 route

Sport

1 route

For a third-country sportsperson invited to undergo trials by a national sports club registered and authorised by SportMalta or another qualified sports regulator.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 2
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-08-03

Transit

1 route

For a traveller whose nationality requires authorisation to transit through the international transit area of a Schengen airport in Malta.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: identita.gov.mt · checked 2026-07-26

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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