Malta information hub

Renting property in Malta

How renting works in Malta: private residential lease rules, mandatory registration with the Housing Authority, deposits, minimum terms, rent increases, utilities, furnished lets, short lets and what the MPRP requires of a rental.

Written by Malta MPRP Guide Editorial TeamReviewed by Compliance ReviewerPublished 1 October 2026Updated 1 October 2026Last verified: 1 October 2026

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The legal framework

Private residential leases signed since 2020 must be in writing and registered with the Housing Authority by the landlord; unregistered leases are void. Long private residential leases have a minimum duration of one year (with the tenant able to leave after a notice period), rent increases are capped during the term, and the deposit must be returned within a set period after the lease ends unless damage is proven. Short lets (under six months, for defined purposes such as study or temporary work) have their own rules.

Key figures

Actual rentals for housing, annual price change

1.7%

2025

Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · verified 01 Oct 2026

Every figure shows the reference period and the publishing authority. Statistics are refreshed when the source publishes a new release; see the source register for document details.

Property discovery

Current rental listings

Live rental listings from partner agencies. Asking rents, not official statistics.

Browse rentals

Typical terms

Deposit of one month's rent; rent paid monthly in advance; utilities (ARMS water and electricity) either on the tenant's own account or passed through at the regulated residential rate; furnished and equipped apartments are the norm in the harbour area. Check the inventory, the condition report and who is registered as the ARMS account holder.

Finding a rental

Licensed estate agents (the tenant does not normally pay commission for long lets), online portals and our marketplace, which shows asking rents from partner agencies. The official rents index rose 1.7% in 2025 after steep rises in 2023–24.

Renting under the MPRP

A qualifying rental must be for at least €14,000 a year, anywhere in Malta or Gozo, and the lease must be registered and maintained for five years from the issue of the residence certificate. See MPRP rental route.

Sources & Verification

Verified 1 October 2026 against the sources below

Eurostat — National accounts and prices (nama_10_gdp, nama_10_pc, prc_hicp_aind, prc_hpi_a)
Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta)
EU Institution
GDP and main components; GDP per capita; HICP annual average rate of change; house price index
Published
30 Sept 2026
Effective
—
Last checked
01 Oct 2026
Status
Active
Reference: EUROSTAT-ECONOfficial requirement
Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations (S.L. 217.26), consolidated
Government of Malta — Subsidiary Legislation under the Immigration Act (Cap. 217)
Legislation
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
Malta MPRP Guide — editorial market review
Malta MPRP Guide editorial team (secondary, non-official)
Secondary
Editorial ranges compiled from current listings, provider price lists and local professional input; reviewed on the frequent-change interval
Published
—
Effective
—
Last checked
01 Oct 2026
Status
Active
Reference: EDITORIAL-MARKETOfficial 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…

Reviewed by

Compliance Reviewer

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…