Malta · long-stay visa routes and official sources
6 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Long-term visa difficulty for Malta: Medium (44/100, lower is easier). Most practical route: Nomad Residence Permit.
Common questions
What is the most practical long-term visa route to Malta?
Based on our July 2026 review, the most practical route is usually: Nomad Residence Permit. Overall difficulty is rated "Medium" (44/100, lower is easier).
Can I move to Malta without a local job offer?
Yes — 2 of the 6 tracked routes do not require a local employer: Nomad Residence Permit; Student residence. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
Remote-work residence for foreign employment/business; family inclusion is separate from local work rights and tax eligibility.
Typical timeline / duration: One year; up to three discretionary renewals, maximum four years. Renewal requires continued eligibility and evidence of at least five months in Malta in the preceding year.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicant working for a foreign employer, own foreign company, or foreign clients under the published categories; nationality exclusions and background checks apply.
Gross annual income at least €42,000; applications submitted before 1 April 2024 retain €32,400. The €42,000 threshold is not a new 2026 increase.
Valid passport, compliant health insurance and residential accommodation; no services to Maltese clients or a foreign company's Maltese subsidiary.
Employer-led permit combining residence and authorisation for a specific Maltese job; new/still-abroad applicants must check the pre-departure course.
Typical timeline / duration: Temporary authorisation for specified employment lasting over six months; validity and renewal depend on the category and grant, not one universal annual term.
Maltese employer and signed contract for the specific post; Single Permit combines employment and residence authorisation, not unrestricted access to other employers.
Employer submits through the portal; live-in carers have an employer-endorsed direct-filing exception. Applicant validates the submitted data.
From 1 March 2026, the Pre-Departure Course certificate is checked for new and still-abroad third-country applicants. Tourism/hospitality also requires the completed sector Skills Pass certificate.
Course exemptions cover current/previous Single Permit holders except first-time reapplications after leaving Schengen or still-abroad filings, and third-country nationals resident in Malta for eight years or more.
Standard first-time fee €600; renewal €150/year. Health/elderly/disability-care fee treatment and any lower special fee require the applicable category checklist.
KEI minimum gross annual salary €45,000; SEI €30,000 under the August 2025 measures. These are category-specific, not a universal Single Permit salary.
Student National Visa / Residence permit for study
A study-based route requiring admission to an eligible education provider.
Typical timeline / duration: Visa/residence permit tied to course length; residence permit applications made in Malta for eligible cases.
For courses over 90 days, submit the student national-visa/residence application with the signed form, passport valid at least eight months with two blank pages, photo, licensed-school acceptance, course payment, accommodation and return travel where applicable.
Submit three months of bank statements and a recent bank certificate showing at least 75% of Malta's national minimum wage for every study month; a sponsor adds their statements, signed letter and ID. Insurance must cover at least €30,000.
A longer-stay route based on its specific eligibility requirements.
Typical timeline / duration: Programme-specific; Identità FAQ notes some renewals currently issued for 2 years for economically self-sufficient residence.
Identità Form K covers economically self-sufficient residence and named schemes such as Malta Permanent Residence Programme, Global Residence Programme and Malta Retirement Programme.
For economically self-sufficient renewals, official FAQ notes continuous health insurance with minimum €100,000 coverage including outpatient/inpatient treatment and hospitalisation in Malta and other European countries.
Be a third-country national aged 18 or over and participate as a founder or co-founder in an eligible innovative and scalable startup.
Incorporate the startup in Malta and maintain the required physical, operational, and residence presence.
Meet the programme's capital or investment requirement: at least €25,000, plus €10,000 for each co-founder above four, subject to the current programme rules.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.