Permanent Residency:

Applicable only to those seeking to reside in Malta on a permanent basis.

• Provided all requirements are met, the permanent residency holder will enjoy freedom of movement with no minimum or maximum lengths of stay on the islands. A fee of €116.47 (Lm50)  is payable to the Director, Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs once the permit is issued. At the end of each year of residence and subsequently at the end of each calendar year, you will be required to complete an Annual Declaration to confirm that you have fulfilled the conditions attached to your permit
• Extremely favorable flat rate €23,294 (Lm10,000)  or capital assets of €349,406 (Lm150,000) . In either case the whole amount is not required to be brought into the island. The purchase of the property will also be considered as part of the capital requirement
• The minimum annual income to be remitted to Malta is Lm 6,000 for one person and Lm 1,000 for every dependant(anyone under the age of 21)
• Double taxation agreements already exist with Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland,  Germany, India, Korea, Latvia, Libya, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, Barbados, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Hungary, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon,  Lithuania, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Syria, United Kingdom as well as America, Canada and Australia. The agreement enables residents in Malta to claim back tax from the country from where the income originates and double taxation relief from Malta
• Any unspent income in excess of the minimum requirement, encashment of investments, as well as proceeds of the sale of the resident’s property may be repatriated.  Hence, provided that all tax due has been duly settled
• Residents are exempt from paying Capital gains tax if their property has been their official/ordinary residence for at least three years preceding the sale

Importation of Pets:
Pet animals entering Malta require an Import License issued by the Director of Agriculture on application to the Government Veterinary Regulation Division. The following are required for the pet’s entry into Malta:
1. An official pet travel scheme certificate. This shows that the pet animal has been micro chipped, blood tested and vaccinated
2. An official Declaration that the pet animal has not been outside the qualifying countries
3. An official certificate signed and stamped by a Veterinarian. This shows that the pet has been treated against ticks and tapeworms

The Pet travel scheme is for those animals (cats, dogs and ferrets) originating from qualifying countries to enter Malta without quarantine as long as the requisites are satisfied, otherwise the pet travel scheme does not apply for other animals, which will be quarantined for six calendar months. Pets cannot come into Malta before a six month period of taking the abovementioned blood test showing a successful siero- neutralization titre test result.
Pets will be quarantined for 21 days should they be entering the islands from a qualifying country but have not been vaccinated against Rabies, or have not yet satisfied the six month requisite following the blood test.

Importation:
Understandably, when purchasing a property in Malta, non-Maltese nationals would normally need to import certain items and personal effects into the country. The following information is intended to give as clear an indication as possible of the various procedures involved.

All personal and household effects may be imported into the country absolutely free of charge within six months of the date of arrival in Malta of the person importing them, or within such a period allowed by the Comptroller of Customs, at his discretion. The authorities concerned will require proof that permanent residency has been obtained.

Vehicle importation:
In the event that a car is being imported, certain conditions and charges apply:
a) the vehicle must be at least 6 months old
b) the vehicle must have been registered abroad in the applicants name
c) the vehicle must be imported into Malta not later than 6 months from the date of issue of the residence permit

Charges are as follows:
a) registration tax of 11% of the assessed value up to 1500cc engine capacity
b) registration tax of 16.5% of the assessed value over 1500cc engine capacity
No duty or VAT is payable, however should the vehicle be re-sold locally, these charges shall be due in their entirety.

The following will provide you with some information pertaining to the requirements and benefits of having Permanent Residency in Malta.

All applications are to be submitted to the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs.

	Capital or Income Requirements Applicants must produce evidence of an annual income of €23,294 (Lm10,000)  or over, or capital assets of €349,406 (Lm150,000)  or over. The funds need not be brought into the country.  The value of any property purchased locally is considered as forming part of this capital requirement.
	Acquisition of Property An applicant for permanent residency must own a local residence.  In the case of an apartment or maisonette, the purchase price cannot be less than €99,000 and not less than €165,000 for any other type of residential property.
	Rental of Property  If an applicant prefers, s/he may rent a property for not less than €4,193 (Lm1,800) per annum.
	Remittance of Annual Income An applicant must import a minimum of €13,976 (Lm6,000) per annum, with an additional €2,329(Lm1,000) for each dependant. The tax incurred is highlighted hereunder.
	Taxation All income remitted to Malta or generated locally is subject to a flat tax rate of 15% (less any personal allowances), with a minimum tax of €4,193 (Lm1,800) per annum. Overseas capital funds invested locally are taxed on any interest or dividends paid thereon.  Some permanent residents also benefit from double taxation agreements which exist between Malta, most European countries, Canada, Australia and the U.S.A., thus ensuring that taxes are never paid twice.  Exemption from duty on purchase of one car provided that the car is purchased overseas and the car in question has been in the ownership of the person applying for the last six months.
	Employment / Engagement in Business As a general rule, a permanent resident may not work in Malta. However, work permits in certain industries or professions, such as tourism, manufacturing and catering sectors, are obtainable.  These are reviewed on a case by case basis.
	Rental of Property Owners of properties having or enjoying the use of swimming pools are permitted to rent them out provided that such properties are licensed as holiday accommodation by the Malta Tourism Authority. Such rental income is subject to the flat rate of 15% tax outlined previously.
	Death and Donation Duties In the case where heirs inherit a property in name of the deceased, they are liable to a 7% provisional tax on the value of the property in question.  In the case of joint ownership, and one of the title holders passes away, provisional tax of 7% is paid on only 50% of the property.  In both cases, the value is determined by an architect appointed by the authorities.
	Fees and Expenses
	Applications are processed within 2 - 3 months with a relative fee of €116.47(Lm50)payable to the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs.  Income tax returns will have to submitted annually to the Inland Revenue Department

Useful Addresses:

Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs
The Director
3, Castille Place
Valletta CMR 02
Tel: 21250570/3

Importation of personal belongings/Customs Duty
The Director General (Customs)
Customs Department
Valletta CMR 02
Tel: 25685100

Income Tax
The Director General (Inland Revenue)
Inland Revenue Department
Floriana CMR 02
Tel: 21220485/9

Health Services
The Chief Government Medical Officer
Department of Health
Merchants Street
Valletta CMR 02
Tel: 21224071

Permit for the purchase of Property
The Director
Capital Transfer Duty Division
46, Merchants Street
Valletta CMR 02
Tel: 21220481/4

Local Councils
The Director (Local Councils)
Local Councils Department
Chateau de la Ville
21, Archbishop Street
Valletta CMR 02
Tel: 21226515

Food and Veterinary Regulation Division
Albertown
Marsa
Tel: 21225930