Is Malta the best immigration route in Europe?
Easiest European country for immigration
When considering which is the best country in Europe for immigration, the most commonly marketed countries are Greece, Malta, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus, due to the long established Golden Visa program that offers lifetime residency for investors who are able to purchase Real Estate properties (houses or apartments are both acceptable) that starts from 250,000 EUR.
Since investing this amount is not possible for every client, it is worth considering different immigration routes for every type of customers.
Malta is a European country that is a member of Schengen, that offers multiples immigration routes with options suitable for all budget.
Cheapest Country to Move to in Europe
As of 2026, Malta offers 5 unique immigration solutions for different customer target markets in mind.
Best program for non Europeans to live in Malta with the country’s low requirements to issue nomad visa, allowing applicants to live in Malta for anyone working for foreign companies and earns a minimum of 42,000 EUR
Malta Retirement Permit (MRP)
- Only applicants who are over 55 years of age are eligible.
Ideal for applicants who wants to try living in Malta without long term commitment.
Malta Global Residence Programme (MGRP)
- This unique European tax program is for customers who do not need to remit their funds to Europe, allowing them to obtain an European tax residency without residing in the country.
Best tax structure in Europe if a customer has funds that are not remitted to Malta, which offers the benefit of obtaining European tax status by paying a flat fee of 25,000 EUR annually to obtain an European Tax Residence Permit (TRC), which includes:
- 15,000 EUR government fee
- 9000 EUR as minimum annual property rental fee
This setup is best for High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) who are looking to minimize their tax obligations while remaining compliant.
The ideal structure is this type of customer to reside in a country where foreign earned funds and not remitted, are not taxed. In other words, no global taxation.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
- Allows applicants to obtain permanent residency within one year in Malta, leading to European citizenship after naturalization (living) in Malta.
- It is necessary to rent a property for five years.
- Cost of program – 170,000 EUR
- 100,000 EUR government donation
- 50,000 EUR as minimum housing rental over a 5 year period
- 20,000 EUR as professional and government fees
Malta Digital Nomad Visa (MDNV)
Visa program not considered – Startup Visa
- The startup visa requires an innovative program to be approved by the government Malta before it is possible to obtain a residency.
Is Malta the fastest European country for Immigration?
Customers that are eligible to relocate to Malta under one of the mentioned immigration routes can be ready move to Malta within months.
Malta is one of the few European countries that offers a quick immigration progress for clients who are interested to immigrate to Europe.
Lowest cost immigration option for malta
| Feature | Malta Retirement Program (MRP) | Malta Global Residence Programme (MGRP) | Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | Malta Startup Visa (MSVP) | Malta Nomad Residence Permit (MNRP / MDNV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme type | Temporary residence | Tax residency | Permanent residence | Business / startup residence | Remote work residence |
| Processing time | 3 Months | 3 Months | 6 Months | 9 Months | 9 Months |
| Main purpose | Lifestyle / short-term | Tax efficiency | Permanent status | Build & scale startup in Malta | Live in Malta while working remotely |
| Residence card validity | 1 year (renewable) | 1 year (renewable annually) | 5 years (renewable / permanent) | Up to 3 years (renewable) | 1 year (renewable up to 3) |
| Main applicant age limit | Minimum 55 years old | ✅ None | ✅ None | ✅ None | ✅ None |
| Children allowed | Minor only | Up to 25 years old | Up to 28 years old | Dependent children | Up to 25 years old |
| Foreign income kept outside of Malta | Not Taxed | Not Taxed | Not Taxed | Not Taxed | Not Taxed |
| Parents / grandparents | Case-by-case | ✅ If dependent | ✅ If dependent | ⚠️ Limited / discretionary | ❌ No |
| Siblings allowed | ✅ Brothers and Sisters | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Work rights in Malta | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (startup only) | ❌ No (foreign employer only) |
| Tax regime | Standard tax | 15% on foreign income remitted | Standard tax | Standard tax | Standard tax |
| Minimum annual tax | ❌ No | €15,000 | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Property required | Rental or Purchase | Rental or Purchase | Rental or Purchase | Rental or Purchase | Rental or Purchase |
| Government contribution | ✅ No | ✅ No | 100,000 EUR | ✅ No | ✅ No |
| Investment required | ✅No | ✅ No | ❌ Yes | ✅ Yes (startup capital) | ✅ No |
| Physical presence required | Flexible | No | More strict | Active presence required | Flexible |
| Leads to permanent residence | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Leads to citizenship | Need to spend 12 years in Malta | Need to spend 12 years in Malta | Need to spend 12 years in Malta | Need to spend 12 years in Malta | Need to spend 12 years in Malta |
| Best for | Short-term stay | Tax planning | Long-term security | Entrepreneurs & founders | Remote workers / freelancers |
Easiest European Country for Immigration
People that are interested to relocate internationally often ask, which country is the easiest to immigrate.
Since each customer have different requirements, it is necessary to consider the needs of the customer versus what the country has to offer.
Malta is the best option for customers who are looking to live in Europe, who:
- Are of retirement age.
- Are interested to obtain a European tax resident status without residing in the country for an extended period of time ,with Malta’s Global Residence Permit Program.
- Can obtain and or renew residency status without any minimum time spent in Europe.
- Wants to live in Europe without purchasing a house or apartment
Malta makes a strong case for which is the best and easiest European country to relocate to, due to the multiple relocation options that the country offers, without high investment amounts.
Is Malta the best country for Permanent Residency and Citizenship?
Malta is definitely the fastest country to obtain a residency status.
- However, additional effort needs to be made for obtaining Permanent Residency (Customers who are looking to move to Malta without purchasing a property) and citizenship.
Customers who are not interested in achieving Permanent Residency and/or citizenship in Malta, Well, fine, Malta to be the easiest country in Europe for immigration, as the country has no nationality restrictions on which type of applicants are allowed, all nationalities are welcome to apply.
Retired and High Net-Worth customers, who are looking for the fastest and easiest country in Europe, will want to make Malta one of the top countries to consider for immigration in EU.
For clients who are not in need to obtain permanent residency and or citizenship, Malta should be considered as one of the best countries in Europe that allows foreigners to immigrate to.
How BUH consulting can assist
Our immigration team will work with you to understand whether Malta is the best choice for your immigration plans and assist with the process starting from your country, until you are settled in Malta.
BUH Consulting partners with industry leading companies in Malta to be able to provide up to date information on the latest immigration policies and procedures.
On the ground assistance will be provided in Malta to ensure of a swift and seamless transition as you continue your journey in Malta.
Contact information
For a tailored solution, contact us to discuss about your requirements.
Email: – sam@buh-consulting.com
Phone: +971585086656
Whatsapp: +971585086656
Telegram: BUHConsultingAE