Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) vs Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

Austria freelancer route: $130 fee, 24 months. Malta golden visa route: $17 fee, 12 months.

  • Malta MPRP: $17 to apply, $113 less than Austria Self-Employed Residence.
  • Austria Self-Employed Residence: about 3 weeks, 17 weeks sooner than Malta MPRP.
Fee
$130
Duration
24 months
Fee
$17
Duration
12 months

Next steps

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Side by side

Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route)

Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

Visa type

Freelancer
Golden visa

Status

Active
Active

Initial duration, months

24 (Longest initial stay)
12

Renewable

Yes
Yes

Built for

Freelancers, FIRE
Passive investors

Minimum age, years

Not specified
18

Practical minimum age, years

Not specified
18

Nationality restrictions

Non-EU nationals only
Non-EU nationals only

Processing time, minimum (weeks)

3 weeks (Fastest known processing)
16 weeks

Processing time, maximum (weeks)

3 weeks (Fastest known processing)
24 weeks

Interview required

No
No

Medical exam required

No
No
Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) vs Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP): Visa Comparison 2026 | Rewire Abroad