Property purchase route

Minimum value

A qualifying owned property must be purchased, or acquired by title of emphyteusis, for at least €375,000 anywhere in Malta or Gozo. The threshold applies to the consideration on the deed; the Agency decides in all cases whether the requirement is satisfied where a lower price is involved (for example a renovated property supported by an architect's valuation).

Documents the Agency expects

According to the Agency FAQ: the signed purchase agreement; an architect's valuation where the property was purchased before 2015 or works are relied on; a utility bill not older than six months in the main applicant's name bearing the property address; external photographs showing the building name, number, main entrance and internal door; and confirmation of de-registration of previous tenants where applicable. The number of bedrooms and total square metres must be declared.

AIP permit and Special Designated Areas (general information)

Non-residents buying property in Malta outside a Special Designated Area (SDA) generally require an Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit issued by the Malta Tax and Customs Administration; the Agency FAQ confirms this still applies to MPRP applicants. Properties in SDAs can be bought without an AIP permit, and the Agency lists "the option to lease purchased property in Special Designated Areas" among the programme's benefits. Whether a development is an SDA is a matter of Maltese property law, not the MPRP regulations — verify with your notary.

Financing

Whether a bank will lend for the purchase is at the bank's discretion (Agency FAQ Q23). A purchased qualifying property may count towards the €500,000 / €650,000 asset test.

Costs beyond the price (general information)

Duty on documents and transfers, notarial fees, searches, the AIP permit fee and agency commissions are governed by other laws and market practice. They are not MPRP fees. Enter your notary's estimate in the calculator.

After five years

You may sell; the minimum value no longer applies, but a residential property in Malta or Gozo must still be held to keep the status.