The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) can include several generations. A main applicant may include a spouse or qualifying partner, minor children, eligible adult children, and dependent parents or grandparents of either the applicant or spouse. Adult children with a qualifying disability may also be included.

Under the rules applying from 1 January 2025, the main applicant pays a €60,000 non-refundable administration fee and a €37,000 government contribution. Spouses, minor children and qualifying adult children with a certified disability do not attract the €7,500 dependant administration fee. Eligible adult children and qualifying parents or grandparents generally do.

Who counts as a dependant?

Family member	Main condition	Additional fee
Spouse or qualifying partner	Recognised marriage or equivalent relationship	None
Children under 18	Biological or adopted child of applicant or spouse	None
Adult children under 29	Unmarried and principally dependent at application	€7,500
Adult child with qualifying disability	Certified disability	None
Parents and grandparents	Not in full-time employment and principally dependent	€7,500 each

Adult children must be over 18 but not yet 29, unmarried and principally dependent when the application is submitted. Parents and grandparents have no specified minimum age, but they must not be in full-time employment and must satisfy the dependency test. Families with older children should review the MPRP step by step process before filing.

Proving dependency

Dependency is assessed substantively. Income, pensions, assets, employment and business interests may all be relevant to dependency.

Our guides to Malta MPRP due diligence and proving source of funds explain the wider documentation issues.

What does an MPRP family application cost?

The core programme charges are €60,000 administration, €37,000 contribution and a €2,000 donation to a qualifying Maltese voluntary organisation: €99,000 before dependant fees, residence cards, property and professional costs.

Applicants must also buy qualifying residential property worth at least €375,000 or rent for at least €14,000 a year. The qualifying property must be retained for five years; afterwards, the beneficiary must continue to own or rent residential property in Malta or Gozo.

See MPRP costs for families and qualifying property choices in Malta. Applicants must also show either €500,000 in assets including €150,000 in financial assets, or €650,000 including €75,000 in financial assets, as set out by the Residency Malta Agency.

British nationals can qualify as third-country nationals, subject to the other rules. See Malta residency for UK applicants.

Families comparing alternatives can review the Greece golden visa, Italy investor visa and our comparison of Greece, Hungary and Malta residency routes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add family members after approval?

Yes. Qualifying dependants can be added after the certificate is issued, subject to eligibility, due diligence and applicable fees. Certain spouses and minor children of existing dependants can also be added.

Do adult children automatically lose status when they turn 29?

The age, marital-status and dependency tests are framed around the application date. However, MPRP status remains subject to continuing programme conditions and Agency monitoring, so later changes should be reported rather than assumed to have no effect.

Is there a minimum stay requirement?

The MPRP does not prescribe a set annual physical-presence requirement. Continuing requirements, including qualifying property during the first five years and appropriate health insurance, still apply.

Does the MPRP lead directly to Maltese citizenship?

No. It grants permanent residence and is separate from Malta’s citizenship laws. Families considering nationality planning can also read second citizenship for children, the Hungary golden visa and St Lucia citizenship by investment.

Next steps

Family composition affects cost and evidence. Speak to our investment migration solicitors before committing to property or programme payments so each proposed dependant can be assessed against the current rules.