Malta · Nomad / Remote work
Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Income needed: €42k+ a year ≈ $47k
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Nomad Residence Permit is a nomad / remote work route for Malta. Applicants need income of €42k+ a year ≈ $47k. You can stay 1 yr, renewable. You can work remotely for foreign employers or clients, not for local ones. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- €42k+ a year ≈ $47k
- Government fees
- €300 ≈ $340
- Processing
- 30 working days
- First stay
- 1 yr
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee €300 ≈ $340; income to show €42k+/yr ≈ $47k; decision: 30 working days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees€300 ≈ $340
- EUR 300 (≈ $340)Non-refundable application fee per person; EUR 100 (≈ $110) per person for the residence card issued by Identita.
Shown, not spent€42k+/yr ≈ $47k
- EUR 42,000 a year (≈ $46,900)Minimum gross annual income for new applications; legacy applications filed before 1 April 2024 may retain EUR32,400 (≈ $36,200) threshold.
RenewalRenewable, 4 years max
The permit lasts one year and can be renewed three times, up to four years in total, if you lived in Malta at least 5 cumulative months in the previous 12.
Permanent residenceTime here doesn't count
The Nomad Residence Permit does not lead to long-term residence.
CitizenshipTime here doesn't count
Time on the Nomad Residence Permit does not count toward citizenship.
Processing30 working days
Processing is expected to take 30 working days from receipt of the fee, and cards take 3 to 4 weeks to issue after approval.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
Apply online from abroad or from Malta; if you are already in Malta on a valid visa covering 30 days or more, no separate entry visa is needed.
Presence rulesStay rule
To renew you must show you lived in Malta for at least 5 cumulative months in the previous 12, through local bank transactions.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Time on this route is capped at 4 years in total
- Time on this route doesn't count toward permanent residence
- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship
- No local jobs: remote work for employers or clients abroad only
- Not open to EU or EEA citizens
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports, or passports from Afghanistan, Belarus, Democratic Republic of the Congo and 8 more
What you'll need
Who can apply6
- The applicant is at least 18 and a third-country national, not EU/EEA/Swiss.
- The applicant works remotely and is location-independent via telecommunications.
- The work is for a foreign employer, a foreign company where the applicant is partner or shareholder, or foreign clients as a freelancer or consultant.
- Services for a Malta-based employer, company, individual or Maltese subsidiary are excluded.
- Nationals of, or people with close ties to, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela are ineligible.
- Applications from the Russian Federation and Belarus are currently not eligible.
What you must show3
- Minimum gross annual income of EUR 42,000 (≈ $46,900); applications filed before 1 April 2024 may keep the EUR 32,400 (≈ $36,200) threshold.
- Guaranteed income for at least five cumulative months from application.
- Application fee: EUR 300 (≈ $340) per person, non-refundable; EUR 100 (≈ $110) per person for the residence card.
Documents3
- A valid rental or purchase agreement for accommodation covering the whole permit period.
- Health insurance of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) covering the EU (including Malta) and the UK.
- A valid travel document.
After you arrive2
- Renewal requires evidence of at least five cumulative months resident in Malta in the preceding year.
- A refused applicant can apply again 12 months after the rejection letter.
When you become tax resident
How Malta decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 4 years in total
- Tax residence
Residence for the ordinary rates and the remittance basis follows residence and domicile in Malta under the Income Tax Act.
- Foreign-source income
Remittance basis (non-dom)
For a person who is not ordinarily resident or not domiciled in Malta, income arising outside Malta is taxed only on the amount received in Malta and capital gains arising outside Malta are not taxed; Maltese-source income is taxed normally.
- Regime tied to this route
Nomad Residence Permit authorised-work income tax rules · 10% tax
Qualifying permit holders pay 10% on income from authorised remote work after the first 12 months, with a statutory option for tax to begin earlier; other income follows ordinary rules.
All tax rules for Malta Tax records checked
What you need to arrange
- Health insurance
Health insurance of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) covering the EU (including Malta) and the UK
- Accommodation
A valid rental or purchase agreement for accommodation covering the whole permit period
Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.
Full official text
Third-country nationals aged 18+ can reside in Malta while working remotely for a foreign employer, a foreign company in which they are partner/shareholder, or foreign clients as a freelancer/consultant. Direct or indirect services to Malta-based employers, companies or individuals are excluded. 1 2 3 4 5
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least EUR 42,000 a year (≈ $46,900) · Minimum gross annual income for new applications; legacy applications filed before 1 April 2024 may retain EUR32,400 (≈ $36,200) threshold. 1
- A fee of EUR 300 (≈ $340) · Non-refundable application fee per person; EUR 100 (≈ $110) per person for the residence card issued by Identita. 1
Requirements
- The applicant is at least 18 and a third-country national, not EU/EEA/Swiss. 1
- The applicant works remotely and is location-independent via telecommunications. 1
- The work is for a foreign employer, a foreign company where the applicant is partner or shareholder, or foreign clients as a freelancer or consultant. 1
- Services for a Malta-based employer, company, individual or Maltese subsidiary are excluded. 1
- Nationals of, or people with close ties to, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela are ineligible. 1
- Applications from the Russian Federation and Belarus are currently not eligible. 1
- Minimum gross annual income of EUR 42,000 (≈ $46,900); applications filed before 1 April 2024 may keep the EUR 32,400 (≈ $36,200) threshold. 1
- Guaranteed income for at least five cumulative months from application. 1 2 3 4 5
- Application fee: EUR 300 (≈ $340) per person, non-refundable; EUR 100 (≈ $110) per person for the residence card. 1
- A valid rental or purchase agreement for accommodation covering the whole permit period. 1
- Health insurance of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) covering the EU (including Malta) and the UK. 1
- A valid travel document. 1
- Renewal requires evidence of at least five cumulative months resident in Malta in the preceding year. 1
- A refused applicant can apply again 12 months after the rejection letter. 1
Stay
- Permit valid one year from card issuance; renewable three times for a maximum total stay of four years at the Agency discretion.
- Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
- Initial permit up to 12 months
- Renewals up to 36 months: Three renewals, maximum four years in total
Nationality
Third-country nationals, excluding EU, EEA and Switzerland; nationals of, or people with close ties to, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela, and applicants from Russia and Belarus, are currently not eligible. Not open to: Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iran, Iceland, Italy, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sudan, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, Somalia, South Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen. Not open to EU/EEA citizens, who use free-movement rules instead.
Work
Remote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment.
Family
Eligible dependants include spouse, minor children, certain unmarried dependent adult children, and adult children unable to cope independently due to medical condition/disability, subject to the programme rules.
Official sources
- New FAQs – Nomad Residence Permit (updated 17 April 2026) · Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-04-17
- Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules S.L. 123.210: Guidelines (12 March 2026) · Malta Tax and Customs Administration · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-03-12
- EU member countries — current official 27-country list · European Union · checked 2026-10-10
- EFTA members and EEA/EFTA membership distinction · European Free Trade Association · checked 2026-10-10
- The European Free Trade Association and its four member states · European Free Trade Association · checked 2026-10-10
Nomad Residence Permit and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad Residence Permit | Needs income of €42k+ a year ≈ $47k | 1 yr, renewable | Remote only |
| D8 nomad visa Portugal | Needs income of €3,680+ a month ≈ $4,110 | 2 yr, renewable | Remote only |
| Digital nomad visa Spain | Needs income of €2,442+ a month ≈ $2,730 | 3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Digital nomad visa Italy | Needs income from €25k a year ≈ $28k | 1 yr, renewable | No local work |
| Digital nomad visa Greece | Needs income of €3,500+ a month ≈ $3,910 | 1 yr, renewable | Remote only |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Nomad Residence Permit?
Income of at least EUR 42,000 a year (≈ $46,900). Minimum gross annual income for new applications; legacy applications filed before 1 April 2024 may retain EUR32,400 (≈ $36,200) threshold. A fee of EUR 300 (≈ $340). Non-refundable application fee per person; EUR 100 (≈ $110) per person for the residence card issued by Identita.
How long can I stay on the Nomad Residence Permit?
Permit valid one year from card issuance; renewable three times for a maximum total stay of four years at the Agency discretion.
How long does the Nomad Residence Permit take to process?
Processing is expected to take 30 working days from receipt of the fee, and cards take 3 to 4 weeks to issue after approval.
Can I work on the Nomad Residence Permit?
Remote only. Remote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment.
Can I bring my family on the Nomad Residence Permit?
Eligible dependants include spouse, minor children, certain unmarried dependent adult children, and adult children unable to cope independently due to medical condition/disability, subject to the programme rules.
Who can apply for the Nomad Residence Permit?
Third-country nationals, excluding EU, EEA and Switzerland; nationals of, or people with close ties to, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela, and applicants from Russia and Belarus, are currently not eligible. Not open to: Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iran, Iceland, Italy, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sudan, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, Somalia, South Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen. Not open to EU/EEA citizens, who use free-movement rules instead.
Does the Nomad Residence Permit lead to permanent residence in Malta?
Time on the Nomad Residence Permit doesn't count toward permanent residence in Malta. Time on the Nomad Residence Permit doesn't count toward citizenship.
Is there a tax break for Nomad Residence Permit holders in Malta?
Nomad Residence Permit authorised-work income tax rules: Qualifying permit holders pay 10% on income from authorised remote work after the first 12 months, with a statutory option for tax to begin earlier; other income follows ordinary rules. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Nomad Residence Permit authorised-work income tax rules
10% tax
Details
Qualifying permit holders pay 10% on income from authorised remote work after the first 12 months, with a statutory option for tax to begin earlier; other income follows ordinary rules.
Taxed on
Income from authorised remote work under the Nomad Residence Permit Income Tax Rules (employment or self-employed services for qualifying non-Maltese counterparties). Any other income is taxed under ordinary Maltese income-tax provisions.
Who it applies to
- Hold a valid Nomad Residence Permit and perform statutory “authorised work” remotely by telecommunications technology.
- For employment, the employer must not be Malta resident and must not carry on business in Malta through a fixed place of business. For self-employment, the client must not be Malta resident or carry on business there through a fixed place.
- The 12-month initial no-charge period runs from the later of the permit issue date or 1 January 2024. A written declaration filed by 31 January after the basis year may make income chargeable earlier if the first-year residence is not casual.
- Satisfactory official written proof of at least 10% foreign tax on authorised-work income, delivered to Residency Malta by 31 March following the basis year, can remove the Malta return requirement for that year unless other chargeable income/gains must be reported.
Exclusions
- Only income from authorised work is subject to the 10% rate after the no-charge period. Other income follows the ordinary Income Tax Act provisions.
- Local Maltese employer/client work is outside authorised work and may cause ordinary progressive taxation and permit consequences.
- Foreign tax proof of less than 10% does not waive a Malta return; foreign tax relief then requires a valid Malta return with evidence.
- A permit or automatic tax registration is not tax residence. VAT, social contributions and treaty/home-country obligations remain separate.
Tax residence
Tax registration may occur after issuance of a Nomad Residence Card under Rule 4(1), but the MTCA guideline of 12 March 2026 says Nomad acceptance does not grant Maltese tax residency. Immigration permission, registration and the residence certificate are distinct.
Visas
Tax rules are linked to qualifying authorised work under a valid Nomad Residence Permit, but possession of the permit alone is insufficient.
Other taxes
Eligible applicants are not subject to Final Settlement System payments while continuing with a qualifying nonresident employer. Income tax filings and payment, other income, social contributions, VAT, and home-country or treaty obligations remain separate.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in Malta
Digital nomad / remote work visas elsewhere
Head to head
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- New FAQs – Nomad Residence Permit (updated 17 April 2026) · Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-10
- Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules S.L. 123.210: Guidelines (12 March 2026) · Malta Tax and Customs Administration · checked 2026-10-10
- EU member countries — current official 27-country list · European Union · checked 2026-10-10
- EFTA members and EEA/EFTA membership distinction · European Free Trade Association · checked 2026-10-10
- The European Free Trade Association and its four member states · European Free Trade Association · checked 2026-10-10
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.