How do I get permanent residence in Malta, and does it lead to citizenship?

There are two main ways to reach permanent residence in Malta. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) grants permanent residence to non-EU nationals through investment, combining a government contribution, a qualifying property, an NGO donation and an administrative fee, all behind strict due diligence and filed via a licensed agent. Separately, ordinary residents who have completed five years of continuous legal residence can apply for EU long-term resident status, which requires stable resources, health insurance and any applicable integration conditions.

On citizenship, there is an important development: Malta's former citizenship-by-direct-investment scheme is no longer available. On 29 April 2025 the EU Court of Justice (Case C-181/23) ruled that granting citizenship in direct exchange for predetermined payments is incompatible with EU law, and Malta committed to revising its naturalisation framework. Citizenships already granted remain valid, but you can no longer buy Maltese citizenship through a fixed contribution.

Any current discretionary naturalisation route is not a fixed investment programme, so verify the current legal position before acting. ACME can help you choose between the MPRP and the long-term residence route and advise on the latest position regarding citizenship.