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Malta · Business & self-employment

Malta Startup Residence Programme

19 facts quoted from the official source

For a third-country startup founder, co-founder or vital core employee developing an eligible innovative startup in Malta.

Income required
—
Means required · no figure published
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
13
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

13 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Age MinFounders, co-founders and core employees must be at least eighteen.
  • Cofounders MaxNo more than six co-founders are eligible under the programme.
  • Eligibility summaryThe incorporated startup in Malta is required to place a tangible investment and/or paid up share capital of not less than EUR 25,000.checked 2026-07-26
  • Eligible Innovative Activity RequiredThe business must fall within the programme's eligible innovative activity framework.
  • Financial meansThe applicant must have sufficient financial resources for themselves and dependants.
  • Fit And Proper RequiredApplicants must have no disqualifying criminal or security concerns.
  • Nationality or statusThe programme is open to non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss third-country nationals.
  • Physical Residence And Tax In Malta RequiredBenefiting founders must live and pay taxes in Malta.
  • Qualifying RoleThe programme covers founders, co-founders and vital core employees with specialised skills.
  • Startup Age Years MaxThe startup must not have been registered for more than seven years.
  • Tangible Investment Or Paid Capital Eur MinThe Maltese startup must place at least EUR 25,000 in tangible investment or paid-up share capital.checked 2026-07-26
  • Additional Capital Eur Per Cofounder Over FourWhere more than four co-founders apply, EUR 10,000 additional capital is required for each extra co-founder.checked 2026-07-26
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • Health insuranceRecognised health insurance covering Malta and other European countries is required.
Also stated by the source
  • Initial Permit YearsThe initial Startup Residence permit is issued for three years.
  • Official source basisThe incorporated startup in Malta is required to place a tangible investment and/or paid up share capital of not less than EUR 25,000.checked 2026-07-26
  • Report summaryThe incorporated startup in Malta is required to place a tangible investment and/or paid up share capital of not less than EUR 25,000.checked 2026-07-26
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • FeeThe programme application fee is EUR 750 per adult.checked 2026-07-26
Validity
2 proven from the official source.
  • Core Employee Renewal YearsA qualifying core employee may renew for a further three years.
  • Founder Renewal YearsA qualifying founder or co-founder may renew for a further five years.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Malta route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Malta?
The official source states: For a third-country startup founder, co-founder or vital core employee developing an eligible innovative startup in Malta.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states: The applicant must have sufficient financial resources for themselves and dependants. It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated.
03Do I need health insurance?
The official source states: Recognised health insurance covering Malta and other European countries is required.

Every answer is quoted from the official startup.residencymalta.gov.mt page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 19 points against the official source; 19 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Processing time is not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source startup.residencymalta.gov.mtLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Malta government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other business & self-employment routes to Malta

2 other business & self-employment routes to Malta.

Residency Programme for Investment Family OfficesThird-Country Self-Employed Residence Permit
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