DZ Advisory | News & Events

Property Investment in Malta: A Lucrative Opportunity for Investors

Written by Nathalie Galea | Feb 13 2025

Malta, a small but vibrant island in the Mediterranean, has become a popular place for investment, attracting more and more global attention. With its strategic location, economic stability, and business-friendly environment, Malta offers many opportunities for investors looking to grow their portfolios and expand into Europe.

The country’s property market has been growing steadily, with strong demand from both local and international buyers. Malta’s stability, combined with its tax benefits, high quality of life, and global mobility options, makes it an ideal place for property investment.

This article will look at the growing investment opportunities in Malta’s property market and how they connect to Malta’s residency and citizenship programs, offering even more advantages for investors. 

Property as an Economic Pillar in Malta

Malta’s property market plays a key role in the country’s economic growth, showing strong and steady development over the years. 

In 2024, the property sector set new records, with the Malta Developers Association (MDA) reporting €5.11 billion in promises of sale agreements. This marked an impressive increase of over 11% compared to 2023 (and an increase of 5.5% over the previous record), demonstrating the ongoing demand for property and its importance to Malta’s economy.

In fact, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO), property prices continued to rise in 2024, as shown in the Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) for Q3 - with the RPPI rising by 6.9% compared to the same quarter in 2023

This consistent growth highlights the stability and attractiveness of property investments in Malta for both local and international buyers.

The property market doesn’t just benefit investors but also supports many other industries, such as construction, real estate services, furniture, logistics, and retail. These sectors benefit from the demand created by a thriving property market, which leads to more jobs and overall economic stability.

Why Property Investment in Malta is Lucrative

Investing in property in Malta is an attractive option for many because it offers stability, good returns, and additional benefits. Here are the key reasons why Malta is a great choice for property investment:

  • Stable market: Malta’s property market is strong, with consistent demand for both residential and commercial properties. As the statistics outlined in the previous section show, there is ongoing demand that keeps property values stable.
  • Return on investment: Investors in Malta’s property market enjoy good rental income and the potential for property value to increase over time. Areas like Valletta, Sliema, and St. Julian’s are particularly popular, offering strong returns for both rental and resale opportunities.
  • Tax advantages: Malta has a tax system that is friendly to investors. For example, MPRP participants do not need to pay any annual minimum tax, giving them more financial freedom. Additionally, the tax on rental income and capital gains is reasonable, making property investments even more profitable.
  • Residency benefits: Property investment in Malta is also linked to its residency and citizenship programs. We will go into these in the next section.

Ultimately, Malta offers a stable and growing property market, promising returns on investment, residency and citizenship benefits, and an investor-friendly tax system. These advantages make Malta an excellent destination for both local and international property investors looking for financial and lifestyle opportunities.

Property Investment and Malta’s Residency & Citizenship Programs

Investing in property in Malta is a key part of its residency and citizenship programs, offering flexible options for different types of investors. 

Two main programs—the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) and the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN)—allow individuals to combine property investments with valuable benefits like European residency or citizenship.

Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP)

The Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) is a great option for people who want to have the right to settle, stay and reside permanently in Malta and have access to Europe. To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Non-refundable Administration Fees: €50,000 applies in respect of the main applicant. An additional non-refundable administration fee of €10,000 for each dependent, were applicable. 
  • Government contribution: €30,000 if buying a property, €60,000 if renting a property.
  • Donation: A €2,000 donation to a local philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sport or animal welfare NGO registered with the Malta Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations.
  • Capital Requirements: show they have capital assets of not less than €500,000, out of which a minimum of €150,000 must be financial assets; or show they have capital assets of not less than €650,000, of which €75,000 must be in the form of financial assets.

    You can choose between two property options:
    ●    Buy: A property worth at least €375,000.
    ●    Rent: A property for at least €14,000 per year.
    The property must be kept for a minimum period of 5 years after which a residential address is required.

One of the main benefits of this program is that there is no annual minimum tax requirement, which gives you more financial freedom. The residency is permanent, may include up to four generations in an application.

The program also allows you to travel freely within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing a visa.

The Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services, previously known as the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN)

The Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) program has been revamped and replaced by The Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional services, is a quicker way to gain Maltese citizenship for high-net-worth individuals. The costs involved include:

  • Government contribution: €600,000 (or €750,000 if applying only after a 12-month residency).
  • Charitable donation: A €10,000 donation to a local charity.
  • Due diligence fees: €15,000 for the main applicant and €10,000 for each dependent (12 years old and above)
  • Administration fees: €6,500 for the main applicant and €2,500 for each dependent split between the three stages of the application (Residency, Eligibility and Citizenship)

    You can choose between two property options:
    ●    Buy: A property worth at least €700,000.
    ●    Rent: A property for at least €16,000 per year.

    There is an additional fee of €50,000 per dependent. The property must be kept for five years.

The process takes between 12 to 18 months, depending on how long you have been a resident. A key advantage of this program is that it allows dual citizenship, meaning you can keep your original citizenship if your country allows it.

Why US Investors Should Consider Malta

1. Global Mobility:

Schengen Access and Visa-Free Travel

Malta offers great global mobility for US investors. By gaining Maltese residency or citizenship, individuals can travel to over 180 countries without needing a visa.

2. European Gateway:

Malta as a Stepping Stone for European Business and Lifestyle Opportunities

Malta is an excellent gateway to Europe for US investors. As part of the European Union, it connects businesses to the EU’s single market, offering advantages like trade agreements and regulatory benefits across Europe.

Some key points include:

●    A stable economy with strong sectors such as financial services, real estate, and tourism.
●    A business-friendly environment with low taxes and incentives for investors.
●    An English-speaking population, making it easy for foreigners to adjust.
●    A high quality of life, with great infrastructure and cultural experiences.

For US investors who want to start a business in Europe, Malta offers a great location with many benefits for both business and personal life.

3. Investment Diversity:

Complementing Portfolios Focused on Long-Term Growth and Stability

Investing in Malta helps diversify investment portfolios because the country’s economy is stable and offers good growth opportunities. Malta is known for its industries like financial services, real estate, technology, and tourism.

Here are some benefits:

● Malta’s strategic position in the Mediterranean, making it a hub for international trade and business.
●Opportunities for capital growth, especially in the real estate market, which attracts international investors.
● Wealth protection in a safe European environment, with no annual minimum tax requirement for residents.

For US investors who are looking for long-term growth, Malta offers a secure and stable market that can add value to existing investment strategies and provide access to European opportunities with good returns.

Your Next Step to a Successful Investment in Malta

Malta’s growing property market, along with its attractive residency and citizenship programs, offers a great opportunity for investors looking for financial stability, global mobility, and a high-quality lifestyle. Whether you're interested in investing in property, expanding your business in Europe, or gaining Maltese residency or citizenship, Malta has flexible options for you.

At DZ Advisory, we specialize in guiding investors through Malta’s residency and citizenship programs. Our experienced, multilingual team provides personalized advice and support every step of the way, making your move to Malta smooth and easy.

Contact DZ Advisory today to learn how we can help you take advantage of Malta’s opportunities and make your investment journey successful! If you would like to receive more information, please provide us with your contact details  and one of our team members shall be in contact with you promptly.