Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit Opens Mediterranean Base For Remote Workers

(MALTA) Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit (NRP) offers a clear, step-by-step path for remote workers to live in the country while earning income from outside Malta. The permit is issued for 1 year at a time and can be renewed up to three times, for a total stay of up to 4 years. Below is a practical, start-to-finish guide that explains eligibility, documents, fees, typical timelines, authority expectations, and required actions at every stage.

What the NRP allows — and what it doesn’t

• You can live in Malta and work remotely for a foreign employer, your own overseas business, or as a self‑employed professional with clients outside Malta.
• You can travel across the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180‑day period.
• The NRP does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship. For long‑term settlement, you’ll need a different program.
• Decisions are discretionary. The Residency Malta Agency can approve or refuse. There is no appeal process.

Who qualifies

You must meet all of the following:
– Age: 18 or older
– Income: Minimum gross annual income of €32,400 (about €2,700/month). Some sources cite €3,500/month (≈€42,000/year). To be safe, plan to show you meet or exceed the higher figure.
– Work source: Income must come from outside Malta (foreign employer, overseas company, or self‑employed with non‑Malta clients).
– Documents: Valid passport, clean criminal record, health insurance covering Malta, and a rental or property contract covering your whole stay.
– Family: You can include a spouse, minor children, and adult dependent children with disabilities under similar terms.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Malta positions the program as a flexible, short‑to‑medium stay option for digital nomads who want an EU base without giving up their foreign job or business.

What it costs

• Application fee: €300 per person (non‑refundable)
• Card fee: €27.50 per person
• Visa fees: Extra fees may apply if you need an entry visa to come to Malta

Budget additionally for health insurance premiums, accommodation deposits, and travel costs. Keep proof of every payment.

Your documents checklist

Prepare digital copies and, where needed, certified scans:
– Passport (valid for your entire planned stay)
– Proof of remote work and income: employment contract, client contracts, company documents, invoices, recent bank statements
– Health insurance policy covering Malta for the full permit period
– Clean police certificate from your country of residence (check recentness)
– Signed rental lease or proof of property purchase covering the full term
– Completed application form and any family member documents (marriage certificate, birth certificates), plus translations if not in English
– Proof of fee payment (bank transfer confirmation)

Tip: If your income varies month to month, include a 12‑month history to show stability above the required level.

How long it takes from start to finish

Typical timeframes (your case may vary):
1. Pre‑application prep: 1–2 weeks
2. Online submission: same day
3. Fee payment by bank transfer: 1–3 business days to reflect
4. Background checks and review: about 60 days
5. Post‑approval compliance (accommodation/insurance check): within 30 days
6. Entry visa (if needed): 2–6 weeks, depending on embassy/season
7. Biometrics visit and card issuance in Malta: 1–2 weeks after arrival

Expect flexibility: holidays, missing papers, or high application volumes can stretch timelines.

Step‑by‑step: the entire journey

Stage 1: Pre‑application (1–2 weeks)

• Confirm you meet the income and remote work rules.
• Line up a rental agreement that covers the full length of your permit. If you cannot secure a final lease before approval, be ready to present confirmed accommodation within 30 days after approval.
• Buy or arrange health insurance that covers Malta for at least 1 year.
• Collect police clearance and verify its validity window.
• Prepare proof of foreign income and employment or business activity.

What authorities expect: clear proof your income is foreign‑sourced and above the threshold; complete, readable documents; and a clean background.

Your action: assemble a single, neat digital file set with consistent names, and double‑check dates on leases, policies, and passports.

Stage 2: Online application (same day)

• Complete the Nomad Residence Permit (NRP) online application via the official portal: https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/
• Upload documents as requested and submit. Note your reference number.

What authorities do: register your case, request the fee payment, and set your file for background checks.

Your action: save your submission confirmation and any email instructions.

Stage 3: Pay the fee (1–3 business days to reflect)

• Transfer the €300 per person application fee by bank transfer as instructed.
• Keep proof of transfer.

What authorities do: match your payment to your file and move you to the review queue.

Your action: follow up if your payment doesn’t show as received after a few days.

Stage 4: Background checks and review (about 60 days)

• Authorities verify identity, criminal record, income source, and insurance.
• They may email you for additional documents.

What to expect: a quiet period. Silence doesn’t mean trouble. Respond quickly if asked for extra information.

Your action: monitor email (including spam). If your lease or insurance start dates shift, be ready to update them.

Stage 5: Approval and compliance window (within 30 days)

• If approved, you receive a conditional letter asking you to confirm accommodation and health insurance within 30 days.
• If your earlier documents already cover the required period, submit them again as final proof.

What authorities do: check that your accommodation and insurance fully cover the permit period.

Your action: send final documents on time. Missing this 30‑day window can cause withdrawal.

Stage 6: Entry visa (if required) (2–6 weeks)

• If you need a visa to enter Malta, apply at the relevant embassy or visa center after NRP approval.
• Bring your approval letter, passport, photos, insurance, and travel plans.

What authorities do: process your visa so you can enter Malta to finish NRP steps.

Your action: plan travel dates that allow enough time for biometrics and card pickup.

Stage 7: Travel to Malta and biometrics (1–2 weeks)

• Arrive in Malta and attend your biometrics appointment at the Residency Malta Agency.
• Pay the €27.50 card fee per person.
• Provide any last documents requested.

What authorities do: capture fingerprints and photo, then produce your residence card.

Your action: keep your passport and approval letter with you during local visits.

Stage 8: Collect your 1‑year residence card

• Pick up your card once ready. The permit is typically valid for 1 year from issuance.
• Check your name, dates, and details on the card.

What authorities do: issue your card and record your legal residence.

Your action: store the card safely and keep your insurance and lease active.

Taxes and money matters to plan for

• Malta applies a flat 10% tax rate on income from the authorized remote work under the NRP, effective since December 7, 2023.
• A 12‑month tax break applies starting from the permit issuance or January 1, 2024, whichever is later.
• If you already pay at least 10% tax abroad, double tax treaties may prevent extra Maltese tax on the same income.
• If you spend more than 183 days in Malta, general tax residency rules could apply.

Because tax situations vary, keep clear records and consult a tax professional before arrival and again before renewal.

Your rights, limits, and daily life notes

• You can live in Malta and travel across Schengen up to 90/180 days.
• You cannot work for a Maltese employer under this permit.
• The NRP does not convert into permanent residency or citizenship. If you want to stay longer than 4 years, explore other programs early.

Renewals: how to keep your stay smooth (up to 3 times)

• Renew for additional 1‑year periods, up to a total of 4 years.
• Apply for renewal well before your card expires.
• Provide updated proof of income, insurance, clean record, and accommodation covering the new period.
• Maintain the foreign‑sourced income rule.

Tip: Aim to submit renewal files 60–90 days before expiry to avoid gaps.

Families: bringing loved ones

• Eligible dependents: spouse, minor children, and adult dependent children with disabilities.
• Each family member pays the €300 application fee and €27.50 card fee.
• Ensure your lease and insurance cover the whole family and full period.
• Arrange schooling, childcare, and private medical cover early — public services may have separate rules.

Common reasons for delays — and how to avoid them

• Income proof not showing foreign source: include employer letters, client contracts stating services are delivered to non‑Malta locations, and bank statements with payer details.
• Insurance gaps: policy must cover Malta for the entire 1‑year period; renew early and keep proof.
• Accommodation mismatch: lease dates must match or exceed permit dates; landlord details must be clear.
• Missing police certificate or expired documents: check validity windows before submitting.
• Slow responses to requests: reply within days, not weeks.

Policy updates to be aware of

• On July 22, 2025, Malta updated its Permanent Residence Programme with a new one‑year temporary residence permit and flexible rental rules. While separate from the NRP, this signals a broader push to support foreign residents, including digital nomads.
• The Residency Malta Agency oversees the NRP and is taking over agent licensing by the end of 2025, which should make oversight more consistent.

Case example: a freelancer’s first year

Elena, a UX designer, earns €4,000/month from clients in Germany and the UK. She prepares 12 months of invoices and bank statements, a police certificate, and a 12‑month international health plan. She books a one‑year lease starting the month of her expected approval.

After applying online and paying fees, she waits about 60 days. Approval arrives, and she confirms her lease and insurance within the 30‑day window. She doesn’t need an entry visa, so she flies to Malta, gives biometrics, pays the card fee, and collects her card.

During the year she keeps insurance active, renews her lease early, gathers income proof, and three months before expiry files a renewal with fresh documents.

Practical tips for a stress‑free application

• Aim above the income threshold to give yourself a margin.
• Keep one master PDF per category (passport, income, insurance, lease, police certificate), clearly labeled.
• If your lease can’t start until approval, secure a letter of intent from the landlord so you can finalize quickly during the 30‑day window.
• Track all deadlines: approval compliance window, renewal dates, insurance renewals, and lease renewals.
• Maintain clean records; even minor legal issues can derail a discretionary decision.

Where to apply and who to contact

• Submit your application and find detailed FAQs through the Residency Malta Agency’s official NRP portal: https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/
• Email for questions: [email protected]

Final takeaways

• The Nomad Residence Permit (NRP) is built for remote workers wanting a legal base in Malta for 1 year at a time, up to 4 years total, while keeping income outside Malta.
• Expect a clear process: online submission, fee payment, about 60 days for checks, a 30‑day compliance window after approval, entry visa if needed, biometrics in Malta, then card pickup.
• Keep health insurance and accommodation aligned with permit dates, meet the income threshold, and maintain foreign‑sourced work.
• Plan renewals early. If you want a longer stay beyond NRP’s limit, explore other residence options in good time.

With careful preparation and timely responses, most applicants can move from first application to card in hand within a few months and start enjoying Mediterranean life with the comfort of a clear legal status.