Malta Startup residence

Residence for founders and co-founders of a qualifying startup, with core employee and family routes. ^{1 2}

What you must show and pay

• An investment of at least EUR 25,000 (≈ $27,900) · Tangible investment and/or paid-up share capital of the incorporated Maltese startup; EUR 10,000 (≈ $11,200) more per co-founder beyond four; at most six co-founders. ¹
• Income of at least EUR 30,000 a year (≈ $33,500) · Core employees need an annual gross salary of at least EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500). ¹
• A fee of EUR 750 (≈ $840) · Fee for each adult applicant or dependant for a 3-year permit; EUR 300 (≈ $340) residence-card fee. ¹

Requirements

• The applicant is a founder or co-founder of a startup registered no more than seven years ago, anywhere in the world. ^{1 2}
• The startup has not taken over another enterprise and was not formed through a merger. ^{1 2}
• Founders, co-founders and core employees are at least 18 years old. ^{1 2}
• The applicant is a third-country national; EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are excluded. ^{1 2}
• Nationals of, or people with close ties to, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela are ineligible. ^{1 2}
• Founders need an incorporated Maltese startup that meets the programme criteria. ¹
• Core employees need a full-time contract with the startup. ¹
• The startup places tangible investment or paid-up share capital of at least EUR 25,000, (≈ $27,900) plus EUR 10,000 (≈ $11,200) per co-founder beyond four; at most six co-founders. ^{1 2}
• Core employees need an annual gross salary of at least EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500). ¹
• Founders show enough financial resources in their own bank statements to support themselves and any dependants. ^{1 2}
• Health insurance covers risks in Malta and other European countries for the applicant and all dependants. ^{1 2}
• A clean criminal record with no pending charges, and no earlier rejected residence or citizenship application in Malta or abroad. ^{1 2}
• Founders live in Malta and pay their taxes there. ^{1 2}
• Fee for each adult applicant or dependant: EUR 750 (≈ $840) for a 3-year permit, plus a EUR 300 (≈ $340) residence-card fee. ¹

Stay

• Founder permit three years, extended by a further five years after successful completion; core employee permit three years then three more.
• Initial permitted stay: 36 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
• Founder permit up to 36 months
• Extension up to 60 months: After successful completion

Nationality

Third-country nationals, excluding EU, EEA and Swiss nationals; nationals of, or people with close ties to, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela are ineligible. Not open to: Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, 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, Sudan, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, Somalia, South Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen. Not open to EU/EEA citizens, who use free-movement rules instead.

Work

Found and operate the startup; core employees work for it.

Family

Immediate family (spouse, de facto partner, minor children and dependent adult children) must be included in the first application; their permits match the holder's and give no automatic access to the labour market.

Checked 2026-10-11

Official sources

1. Malta Startup Residence Programme eligibility and requirements (V4.2, August 2025) · Residency Malta Agency · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2025-08
2. Startup Residence Programme: eligibility criteria · Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11