Eligibility requirements

Plain English

The MPRP is only open to people who are not citizens of an EU member state, an EEA state (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or Switzerland. Maltese citizens cannot apply. The same applies to every dependant included on the certificate.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and every dependant

Documented exceptions

None documented. A beneficiary who later becomes a Maltese, EEA or Swiss national ceases to benefit from the certificate (regulation 17(1)).

Official wording

“"third-country national" means any person who is not a citizen of the European Union within the meaning of Article 20 of the Treaty on the European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: Provided that for the purposes of these regulations, EEA nationals and Swiss nationals shall not be considered to be third-country nationals.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (definition) and regulation 15(1)(a), 15(2)(a)

Required evidence

Certified true copy of the full passport for each person; identity card where issued.

Common mistakes

Dual nationals holding an EU passport are not third-country nationals for these purposes.

Plain English

Only an adult (18 or over) can be the main applicant. Younger family members can be included as dependants.

Who it applies to

Main applicant

Official wording

“An individual who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years, as duly represented by an agent, may apply to the Agency for the issuance of a certificate under these regulations.”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 9(1)

Required evidence

Passport and birth certificate.

Plain English

The Residency Malta Agency publishes, and periodically revises, a list of countries whose nationals (or people with close ties to them) cannot apply. The list is a policy decision of the Agency, not part of the regulations, so it can change at any time.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and dependants

Documented exceptions

The Agency decides which countries are excluded and may revise the list at its discretion.

Official wording

“They must not hail from sanctioned countries, as announced from time to time by Residency Malta.”

Residency Malta Agency MPRP page; S.L. 217.26 regulation 13(1)(h) (international sanctions)

Required evidence

Nationality shown in the passport; the Agency also considers close ties to an excluded country.

Common mistakes

Assuming a list found on a third-party website is current. The FAQ (V2.6.1, 2024) named Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Venezuela, and stated that applications from the Russian Federation and Belarus were not eligible; this list may since have been revised — confirm with the Agency or a licensed agent.

Plain English

The main applicant and dependants cannot at the same time benefit from the Residents Scheme Regulations, the Highly Qualified Persons Rules, the High Net Worth Individuals (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss) Rules, the Malta Retirement Programme Rules, the Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity Rules or the Residence Programme Rules.

Who it applies to

Main applicant and dependants

Official wording

“he is not a person who benefits under the Residents Scheme Regulations, the Highly Qualified Persons Rules, the High Net Worth Individuals - Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals Rules, the Malta Retirement Programme Rules, the Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity (Personal Tax) Rules or the Residence Programme Rules”

S.L. 217.26, regulation 3 (definition 'dependant', proviso); regulation 15(1)(b), 15(2)(b)

Required evidence

Declaration in the application forms.