Family & dependants
Spouse, children, parents and grandparents: who qualifies as a dependant, the dependency test, the fees for each, documents required and family scenarios supported by the current rules.
The legal definition
Regulation 3 defines a dependant as one of five categories of family member of the main applicant. Each category has its own conditions, quoted on the cards below. Everyone included is subject to the same due diligence as the main applicant, and each adult dependant other than the spouse needs an affidavit of support. [Government of Malta — Subsidiary Legislation under the Immigration Act (Cap. 217)]
Who can be included, category by category
Spouse or partner
No dependant feeThe main applicant's spouse in a monogamous marriage, or partner in a relationship with the same or similar status (civil union, domestic partnership, common-law marriage). The term is gender neutral. The Agency may recognise other similar relationships case by case.
- Conditions:
- Monogamous marriage or equivalent relationship. The spouse may hold their own assets and income (FAQ Q34).
- Evidence:
- Marriage certificate or evidence of the equivalent relationship; all divorce certificates for any previous marriages (FAQ Q42, Q58).
- Residence card:
- €500 per person (five years)
S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (definition 'dependant', paragraph (a)); First Schedule proviso
Child under 18
No dependant feeA child, including an adopted child, of the main applicant or of the spouse who is under 18 at the time of application.
- Conditions:
- Under 18 at the time of application. Forms signed by both parents, or by the parent/guardian with sole custody with a court ruling (regulation 12(5)).
- Age at application:
- 0–17
- Evidence:
- Birth certificate; Form MPRP4a (declaration of minor dependant); custody documentation where relevant (FAQ Q43–Q44).
- Residence card:
- €500 per person (five years)
S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (paragraph (b)); regulation 12(5); First Schedule proviso
Adult child aged 18 to 28
€7,500 feeA child, including an adopted child, of the main applicant or of the spouse who is over 18 but has not yet reached 29 at the time of application, is not married when the application is submitted, and is principally dependent on the main applicant.
- Conditions:
- Aged 18–28 at application; unmarried at submission; principally dependent (cannot live a self-sufficient independent life without the main applicant's support — FAQ Q6).
- Age at application:
- 18–28
- Evidence:
- Birth certificate; affidavit of dependency by the main applicant; supporting evidence of dependency.
- Residence card:
- €500 per person (five years)
S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (paragraph (c)); regulation 12(4); First Schedule
Adult child with a certified disability
No dependant feeAn adult child of the main applicant or of the spouse certified by a recognised medical professional or authority as having a disability in terms of the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act (Cap. 413). No age limit applies and no administration fee is payable.
- Conditions:
- Certified disability in terms of Cap. 413.
- Age at application:
- 18+
- Evidence:
- Medical certification of the disability; birth certificate.
- Residence card:
- €500 per person (five years)
S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (paragraph (e)); First Schedule proviso
Parent (of applicant or spouse)
€7,500 feeA parent of the main applicant or of the spouse who is not in full-time employment and is principally dependent on the main applicant. There is no age threshold (FAQ Q3).
- Conditions:
- Not in full-time employment; principally dependent on the main applicant at the time of application. Retirement income does not automatically disqualify if dependency can still be shown (FAQ Q7).
- Evidence:
- Birth certificates showing the family link; affidavit of dependency; supporting evidence.
- Residence card:
- €500 per person (five years)
S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (paragraph (d)); regulation 12(4); First Schedule
Grandparent (of applicant or spouse)
€7,500 feeA grandparent of the main applicant or of the spouse who is not in full-time employment and is principally dependent on the main applicant. Up to four generations can be included on one certificate.
- Conditions:
- Not in full-time employment; principally dependent on the main applicant at the time of application.
- Evidence:
- Family tree through birth certificates of the applicant/spouse, parent and grandparent (FAQ Q2); affidavit of dependency.
- Residence card:
- €500 per person (five years)
S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (paragraph (d)); regulation 12(4); First Schedule
"Principally dependent"
For adult children, parents and grandparents the key test is that the person is principally dependent on the main applicant at the time of application. The Agency's FAQ explains that the dependant must be unable to live a self-sufficient basic independent life without the main applicant's support; adults with accumulated wealth or sufficient income of their own are not eligible even if the main applicant tops up their lifestyle. The main applicant declares dependency in an affidavit and should attach supporting evidence.
Adding family later
A beneficiary may later apply to add a dependant, the spouse of a dependent child, or the minor child of an approved dependant, subject to due diligence and the applicable fee on submission (regulation 11(2)–(5)).
Children reaching 18 or 29
Minor children keep their status when they turn 18 as long as they still satisfy the criteria, and the Agency FAQ confirms that the old 27-year threshold no longer applies. The age limit of 29 applies at the time the application is submitted.
Death of the beneficiary
In exceptional circumstances the Agency may issue the certificate to an approved dependant of a deceased beneficiary, subject to conditions (regulation 16).
Household staff and other relatives
Not eligible. Only the family members defined in regulation 3 can be included.
Frequently asked questions
Do my spouse and children pay a dependant fee?
Under the current First Schedule, the spouse, children under 18 and adult children certified as having a disability pay no administration fee. Adult children aged 18 to 28, parents and grandparents each attract a €7,500 non-refundable administration fee. Every person, including the spouse and children, pays the residence card fee.
Who can be included as a dependant?
The spouse (or partner in a relationship of equivalent status); children under 18; unmarried adult children aged 18 to 28 who are principally dependent on the main applicant; adult children with a certified disability (no age limit); and parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse who are not in full-time employment and are principally dependent. Household staff cannot be included.
What does 'principally dependent' mean?
According to the Agency FAQ, the main applicant must prove that at the time of submission the adult dependant cannot live a self-sufficient basic independent life without the main applicant's support. Adults with accumulated wealth or sufficient income (for example from significant shareholdings, senior corporate roles, financial assets, property or employment) would not be eligible even if the main applicant contributes to their lifestyle. The main applicant declares dependency in an affidavit and should add supporting evidence.
Can I add a dependant after the certificate is issued?
Yes. A beneficiary may apply through the agent to add dependants, the spouse of a dependent child, or the minor child of an approved dependant, subject to due diligence and the applicable administration fee payable on submission.
Sources & Verification
Verified 30 September 2026 against the sources below- Legislation
Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations (S.L. 217.26), consolidated
Government of Malta — Subsidiary Legislation under the Immigration Act (Cap. 217)
Subsidiary Legislation 217.26 — Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, L.N. 121 of 2021 as amended by L.N. 57 and 310 of 2024 and L.N. 146 of 2025
- Published
- 29 Mar 2021
- Effective
- 22 Jul 2025
- Last checked
- 30 Sept 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: SL-217-26Official requirement - Legal Notice
Legal Notice 146 of 2025 — MPRP (Amendment) Regulations, 2025
Government of Malta — Government Gazette No. 21,472
L.N. 146 of 2025: Malta Permanent Residence Programme (Amendment) Regulations, 2025
- Published
- 22 Jul 2025
- Effective
- 22 Jul 2025
- Last checked
- 30 Sept 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: LN-146-2025Official requirement - Government Publication
Residency Malta Agency — MPRP Frequently Asked Questions (V2.6.1)
Residency Malta Agency (Government of Malta)
Frequently Asked Questions — Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), version 2.6.1
- Published
- 01 Jul 2024
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 30 Sept 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: RMA-MPRP-FAQ-2-6-1Official requirement - Official Authority
Residency Malta Agency — Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) page
Residency Malta Agency (Government of Malta)
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) — eligibility criteria, application & programme requirements, benefits
- Published
- —
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 30 Sept 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: RMA-MPRP-PAGEOfficial requirement
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Written by
Malta MPRP Guide Editorial Team
Research & editorial
The editorial team researches the Malta Permanent Residence Programme directly from the consolidated regulations (S.L. 217.26), the Legal Notices that amend them and the Residency Malta Agency's published material. Ever…
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Fact-check & source review
Responsible for reviewing published pages against the current text of S.L. 217.26 and the Agency's official pages, recording the verification date and flagging any page that needs an update after a legislative change. R…