How can I see the website better?
You can click on the F11 key on your keyboard to maximise the website to fullscreen.  You have to click the F11 key again to return the website to normal size (Internet Explorer only)

 What is a Solitary or Private maisonette?
A solitary maisonette is a maisonette built on a store/warehouse or on a group of garages.  A solitary/private maisonette will always enjoy its own airspace.

 What is a Duplex?
A duplex is a property which overlies or underlies third party property (e.g. an apartment/penthouse or maisonette) but is split over two floors.

 Is there a charge when I buy a property through Sara Grech?
No, Sara Grech does not charge purchasers for using their services.

 What is the current rate of stamp duty?
3.5 % on the first €116,468 and 5 % on the balance (being sole and ordinary residence), 1% of which is due on signing of Preliminary Agreement, remainder due on signing for final deed / contract.

 If I own my own residence and want to buy a summer residence or a property as an investment, what is the stamp duty?
5%

 If I own a property and want to buy the garage, what current rate of stamp duty do I pay?
5 % unless within 500 metres from his residence, in which case it would be 3.5%

 Are there any conditions for non-Maltese nationals buying property in Malta?
Yes, the main one being on prices, where a non-Maltese National cannot buy an apartment less than €101,551 in value, and not less than €169,205 for any other type of property.  More information on non-Maltese Nationals purchasing property in Malta can be obtained from the Moving to Malta section.

 Can a foreigner buy more than one property?
No, unless the property is situated in designated areas: Tigne Point, Pender Gardens, Tas-Sellum, Portomaso, Cottonera, Manoel Island, Chambray.  In the case of EU nationals however, additional property can be purchased after having resided in Malta for 5 years. Please click here for more information on regulations regarding purchasing property after Malta joins the EU.

 What is an A.I.P permit?
Any non-Maltese National wishing to purchase property in Malta needs to apply for an A.I.P. permit (Acquisition of Immoveable Property).  This is applied for through the Ministry of Finance for a fee of €232,94 (Lm100), and allows the holder to purchase a property on the Maltese Islands.

 If I am not Maltese, can I rent out my property?
Yes, if the property has a pool or communal pool, or is situated in stipulated designated areas (i.e. Tigne Point, Portomaso, Tas-Sellum, Ta Monita, Pender Gardens, Cottonera, Manoel Island, Chambray)

 Do foreigners pay capital gains tax?
Yes, unless they have lived in the property for the past 3 consecutive years as permanent residence

 After how long can a foreigner apply for citizenship?
5 years

  What types of residency permits are there available for foreigners?
Temporary residency
Permanent residency

 What is the current rate of stamp duty for foreigners?
5%

 Can a foreigner obtain a bank loan?
Yes, the banks in Malta grant loans to non-Maltese Nationals for up to 90% of the property value.  More information

 Can foreigners bring in their own furniture from overseas?
Yes.  If, the furniture is imported within 6 months of their arrival into Malta, the furniture can be imported tax-free.  If the furniture is new, duty will be charged at €1.40, per kilo + 18% VAT.  More information

 What is Ground Rent?
Ground rent is a charge imposed by an owner on a property.  There are two Main types of ground rents - PERPETUAL and TEMPORARY, each of which has 2 variants - REVISABLE and NON-REVISABLE. Normally ground rents are paid yearly (in advance or in arrears) and whenever a property subject to a ground rent is sold, a LAUDENIUM (recognition fee) is due on contract.

 What is Perpetual non-revisable ground rent?
Perpetual non-revisable ground rents are fixed and do not change – ever. The same amount is paid each year when due to the owner of the ground rent. This type of ground rent can be redeemed or bought out at any time at a set rate. It is capitalized at 5% rate i.e. 20 times the ground rent. The property then becomes FREEHOLD.

 What is Perpetual revisable ground rent?
Perpetual revisable ground rents are linked to a scale revision, usually every 25 years and usually according to the cost of living/value of the pound sterling. This ensures that the BUYING POWER remains constant by being periodically updated. This type of ground rent can be redeemed or bought our within 6 months after revision at a set rate. It is capitalized at 5% rate. i.e. 20 times the ground rent. The property becomes FREEHOLD.

 What is Temporary non-revisable ground rent?
Temporary non-revisable ground rents are technically leases set for a SET PERIOD OF TIME after which the property should revert back to the OWNER of the LEASE. Most of this type is owned by the Church or Government and many are for periods in the region of 150 years. The amount remains the same for the duration of the lease.  This type of ground rent CANNOT be redeemed before expiry, UNLESS an agreement is reached with the owner, who is under no obligation to do so.

 What is Temporary revisable ground rent?
Temporary revisable ground rents are also technically leases for a SET PERIOD OF TIME, after which the property should revert to the OWNER OF THE LEASE. Most of this type is, again owned by the Church or Government and many are in the region of 150 years BUT are linked to a scale of revision, usually 25 years and normally according to the cost of living/ value of the pound sterling. This ensures again that the purchasing power of the ground rent remains constant.

 What is Freehold?
A freehold property means that the property is FREE from any annual payment (no ground rent).

 If a buyer needs to apply for a bank loan, what items must s/he take to the bank?
 Proof of Identity
 Copy of Preliminary Agreement
 Proof of income
 Details of existing loan(s)
For more information about bank loans, please click here

 What ratio does the bank use for a single purchaser and what ratio for a couple?
In the case of an individual purchaser - 4 times the annual salary
In the case of a couple, 3.5 times the joint annual salary OR 4 times the higher income + income of second

 What is a bridge loan and when is it used?
Bridge gap between convenium (preliminary agreement) and contract when buying and selling.

 Can you obtain a bank loan when the property is on lease?
Yes, but lease has to have remaining 20 years over and above loan period

 In the case where a property has temporary ground rent, what is the minimum amount of years remaining that a bank will accept in order to grant a 30-year loan?
+20 

 What is a White Area?
An area that has the possibility of being within the building scheme at a later date.

 What is a Green Area?
An area which in not within a building scheme, and the likelihood of it ever being built upon is extremely remote.

 What is meant by Village Core?
Within a village/town 

 What is the normal (or usual) frontage of a terraced house or maisonette?
21 ft

 What is the size of a tumolo of land?
12100 sq.ft. 1140 sq.m. 

 Is a permit from the Planning Authority required to carry out the following alterations?

 When you purchase an apartment, do you normally purchase the common areas or have use of?
When buying an apartment, one usually has use of the common areas.

 If you purchase an apartment and you do not have use of or ownership of the roof, what rights and access do you have to the roof?
In such a case, you can use the roof to put up your TV aerial, have your water tank and carry out maintenance.

 When you own a warehouse and it is situated in a semi-industrial zone, what are the working hours?
7:30am – 5:00pm

 What are the working hours if the warehouse is situated in a full industrial area?
24 hours

 What is a convenium?
 “Promise of sale”, “Preliminary agreement”, “Konvenju” all mean the same. It is a private agreement between parties (usually signed in the presence of a Notary) undertaking to sell/transfer property between them.

 What is the meaning of “Kapparra” (Earnest)?
A refundable deposit – paid on convenium (not binding)

 What is a deposit?
A non-refundable deposit paid on convenium on account of the price

 What is the meaning of “Tale Quale”?
As seen

 What rights does the buyer have if a convenium is signed and there is no good title?
 The buyer can withdraw from the contract and the deposited is refunded in full.

 Can the property on which I have signed a convenium and placed a deposit, be sold to another buyer prior to signing of contract?
NO

 Can the price of the property increase between signing of convenium and contract?
NO