Digital NomadActive

Malta Digital Nomad Residence Permit

Malta · Europe

3.0
Editorial Score

Min Monthly Income

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Application Fee

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Processing Time

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Difficulty

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Duration

12 months

Path to Citizenship

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Overview

Malta's Nomad Residence Permit allows non-EU remote workers to live in Malta for 1 year while working remotely for foreign employers, renewable up to 4 years total.

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
NationalityNon-EU nationals only

third country nationals (non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss). Some nationalities not allowed e.g. North Korea

Minimum Age18 years
Minimum IncomeNot specified
Accepted Income SourcesRemote Work / Freelance
DependentsAllowed
Local Work PermittedNo
Local Income LimitMax 0% of total income
Permitted Employment TypesW2 Employee (foreign employer), 1099 Contractor, Business Owner, Self-Employed
Health InsuranceRequired
Physical PresenceNot specified
Max Consecutive AbsenceNot specified
RenewableYes
Duration12 months
Leads to PRNo

Requirements Checklist

IDENTITY & TRAVEL

- Valid passport (copy of all pages)

- Police conduct certificate from your home country (apostilled or legalized per The Hague Apostille Convention)

FINANCIAL & EMPLOYMENT

- Bank statements from the last three months proving gross monthly income of at least €3,500 (or €2,700 if application submitted before April 1, 2024)

- Employment contract (if employed by a foreign company) showing at least 3 months of employment history

- OR business registration documents and partnership/shareholder proof (if conducting business abroad, with at least 6 months of activity)

- OR freelance/consulting contracts with foreign clients (with 3–6 months of work history)

- Updated CV

- Letter of intent explaining your reason for choosing Malta

HEALTH & INSURANCE

- Proof of comprehensive health insurance covering risks in the European Union (including Malta) and the UK, valid for at least one year

ACCOMMODATION (submit within 30 days of preliminary approval)

- Valid property rental agreement (lease) or purchase agreement for accommodation in Malta, valid for at least one year

BACKGROUND & SECURITY

- Completed application form (Form N4)

- Background verification check (conducted by Residency Malta Agency; no additional document required from applicant)

📍 Application location: You apply entirely online through the Residency Malta Agency's portal (portal.residencymalta.gov.mt) from your home country or anywhere in the world. After receiving preliminary approval, you must travel to Malta in person to complete the final steps: submit accommodation and insurance documentation, attend a biometric appointment at the Residency Malta Agency office (Zentrum Business Centre, Level 2, Mdina Road, Qormi, QRM 9010, Malta), and collect your residence card. You cannot complete the visa process remotely; physical presence in Malta is required after preliminary approval.

Tax Information

During your first 12 months as a Nomad Residence Permit holder, income earned remotely from foreign sources is completely exempt from Maltese personal income tax because your employment is already taxed at the source in your home country. After the first year, remote income is taxed at a flat rate of 10%, significantly lower than Malta's standard progressive tax rates. You will not become a tax resident of Malta during your initial year. If you are a US citizen, you remain subject to US federal income tax on worldwide income regardless of your residency status; consult a US tax professional regarding FATCA reporting and potential foreign earned income exclusions. Malta does not have a tax treaty with the US that would eliminate double taxation, so you may need to claim foreign tax credits for taxes paid to Malta.

Work Permissions

·Local employment: Not permitted
·Permitted work types: W2 Employee (foreign employer), 1099 Contractor, Business Owner, Self-Employed
·Accepted income sources: Remote Work / Freelance
·Local income limit: Max 0% of total income from local sources

Application Steps

  1. 1

    📋 Verify your eligibility and gather documents

    2-4 weeks

  2. 2

    📄 Obtain police conduct certificate

    2-6 weeks

  3. 3

    📄 Prepare accommodation proof

    1-4 weeks

  4. 4

    📬 Submit online application via Residency Malta portal

    Same day

  5. 5

    ⏳ Await preliminary approval decision

    60 working days

  6. 6

    📄 Submit accommodation and insurance documentation

    1-2 weeks

  7. 7

    🏛️ Travel to Malta and complete biometric registration

    1-2 weeks

  8. 8

    🏛️ Pay residence card fee and collect card

    3-4 weeks

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Click any question to expand the answer.

You must demonstrate a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000 (approximately €3,500 per month). If you submitted your application before April 1, 2024, the requirement was €32,400 annually. You'll need to provide bank statements from the past three months proving consistent income, and your income must be guaranteed for a minimum of five months from your application date.
No. You must work exclusively for foreign employers or clients based outside Malta. You cannot perform work or provide services for any Maltese company or individual during your stay. This is a core eligibility requirement—persons contracted by a foreign company but giving services to that company's Maltese subsidiary are also ineligible.
You must fall into one of three categories: (1) employed by a foreign company with a valid work contract and at least 3 months of employment history, (2) a partner or shareholder in a foreign-registered company with at least 6 months of business activity, or (3) offering freelance or consulting services to foreign clients with contracts and 3–6 months of work history. All work must be performed remotely using telecommunications technology.
Yes. You can bring your spouse (including same-sex partners), minor children, and adult children who are principally dependent on you. Adult children unable to cope independently due to disability or medical condition may also apply. Each dependent incurs a €300 application fee, and you must demonstrate additional monthly income of €255 per dependent beyond the base €3,500 requirement.
To qualify for renewal, you must reside in Malta for a cumulative period of at least 5 months over the previous 12 months. This means you can spend up to 7 months outside Malta annually while maintaining your permit, provided you meet the residency threshold for renewal eligibility.
The initial Nomad Residence Permit is issued for one year. You may renew it twice for a total maximum stay of three years in Malta. Renewal applications must be submitted no later than 45 days before your permit expires, and you must continue meeting all eligibility criteria, including the income requirement and 5-month annual residency threshold.
No. The Nomad Residence Permit is a temporary residence permit with a maximum validity of three years and does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. It is designed exclusively for remote workers and digital nomads who wish to live in Malta while maintaining employment abroad.
During your first 12 months, income earned remotely from foreign sources is completely exempt from Maltese income tax. After the first year, remote income is taxed at a flat rate of 10%, significantly lower than standard Maltese progressive rates. You will not be subject to personal income tax on foreign employment during your initial year since your employment is already taxed at the source.
You must have comprehensive health insurance covering risks in the European Union (including Malta) and the UK for at least one year. International health insurance policies are accepted—you do not need to purchase local Maltese insurance, though the policy must meet the minimum benefits standards set by the Residency Malta Agency.
Processing typically takes around 60 working days from submission. After preliminary approval, you have 30 days to submit proof of accommodation and health insurance. Once final approval is issued, you must travel to Malta to complete biometric registration and pay the €27.50 residence card fee, with the card ready in 3–4 weeks.
The application fee is €300 per applicant, plus €27.50 per person for the residence card upon arrival in Malta. If you bring dependents, each incurs an additional €300 application fee. There are no other mandatory government fees, though you will need to arrange accommodation and health insurance at your own cost.
You apply online through the Residency Malta Agency portal (portal.residencymalta.gov.mt) from anywhere in the world. Once your application receives preliminary approval, you must travel to Malta to complete the in-country steps: submit accommodation and insurance documentation, attend a biometric appointment, and collect your residence card.

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At a Glance

Renewable✓ Yes
Dependents✓ Allowed
Leads to PR✗ No
Local Work✗ Not permitted
Health InsuranceRequired
NationalityNon-EU nationals only
Admin Ease1.0/5

Last verified: May 13, 2026

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