Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Malta's Nomad Residence Permit lets non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals reside in Malta while working remotely for foreign employers or clients — with one of the longer maximum stays and a notable flat-tax incentive among the countries covered here.
At a glance
- Minimum annual income
- €42,000 — gross — current threshold as of April 2024
- Application fee
- €300
- Processing time
- Up to 60 working days — from receipt of funds
- Validity
- 1 year — renewable up to 3 times — 4 years maximum
- Renewal condition
- 5+ months/year in Malta — physical presence required to renew
- Tax rate after year 1
- 10% flat — on authorized work income, if no tax paid elsewhere — first 12 months are tax-exempt
What you'll need
- Valid passport, meeting the destination country's minimum validity requirement Required
- Completed visa/residence-permit application form Required
- Proof of remote work — employment contract, own registered business, or freelance client contracts based outside the destination country Required
- Proof of income meeting the minimum threshold — bank statements, pay slips, or tax returns Required
- Health insurance valid for the full duration of stay Required
- Proof of accommodation Required
- Criminal record certificate from your home country, apostilled and translated Required
- Cover letter stating your reason for moving to Malta and applying for the Nomad Residence Permit Required
- Curriculum Vitae detailing your professional and academic history Required
- Valid employment or service contract confirming income of at least €3,500/month Required
How it works
Prepare your documents
Apostille, translate, and notarize documents as necessary.
Submit your application
Send your application and supporting documents via email to the Residency Malta Agency.
Pay the fee
€300 application fee.
Await a decision
Processing typically takes up to 60 working days from the receipt of funds.
Complete post-approval steps
Upon receiving a letter of approval in principle, submit proof of accommodation and health insurance within 30 working days for final approval.
Obtain your residence permit
Travel to Malta to provide biometric data and receive your residence permit card.
Family, renewal, and tax treatment
Family members — spouses, minor children, and financially dependent adult children — can apply for a residence permit alongside the main applicant or at a later stage. The permit runs for 1 year and can be renewed up to 3 times, for a maximum stay of 4 years; renewing requires spending at least 5 months per year physically in Malta.
Tax. Digital nomads are exempt from Maltese income tax for the first 12 months. After that, a flat 10% tax rate applies to income derived from authorized work, provided no tax is paid on it elsewhere. One limitation to note: permit holders aren't allowed to offer services to individuals or companies registered in Malta.
What it costs
Government fees
- Application fee
- €300 — one-time
BIZ TRP fees
- Application & route support
- Ask us for a quote — from €120/hour
Why work with BIZ TRP
Malta's post-approval window — 30 working days to submit accommodation and insurance proof after approval in principle — is a hard deadline that catches people off guard after a 60-day wait already feels done.
- Document preparation. We prepare your full application package, including the cover letter and CV, before submission to Residency Malta.
- Post-approval follow-through. We make sure you're ready to submit accommodation and insurance proof within the 30-working-day post-approval window.
- Renewal planning. We help you plan the 5-month physical presence requirement each year to keep your renewals on track.
Common questions
How long can I stay in Malta on this permit?
Up to 4 years total — the permit is issued for 1 year and can be renewed up to 3 times, though each renewal requires spending at least 5 months per year physically in Malta.
What tax will I pay?
Nothing for the first 12 months. After that, a flat 10% rate applies to your authorized work income, provided you're not already paying tax on it elsewhere.
Can I take on Malta-based clients?
No — permit holders aren't allowed to offer services to individuals or companies registered in Malta. This permit is specifically for work directed outside Malta.
Ready to move to Malta?
BIZ TRP manages your Malta Nomad Residence Permit application from documentation through post-approval follow-through to your residence card.
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