---
title: "Malta Startup residence requirements 2026: €25k+ needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/startup/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Malta · Business / Startup

# Malta Startup residence

**Investment needed:** €25k+ ≈ $28k

Malta Startup Residence Programme

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Investment needed:** €25k+ ≈ $28k (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 more per co-founder beyond four; at most six co-founders. Income of at least EUR 30,000 a year (≈ $33,500) · Core employees need an annual gross salary of at least EUR 30,000. A fee of EUR 750 (≈ $840) · Fee for each adult applicant or dependant for a 3-year permit; EUR 300 residence-card fee.)
- **First stay:** 3 yrs (Founder permit three years, extended by a further five years after successful completion; core employee permit three years then three more.)
- **Who can apply:** Not EU/EEA citizens (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.)
- **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Malta: not ordinarily resident or not domiciled - foreign-source income taxed only when received in Malta: 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.)

## Key facts

Startup residence is a business / startup route for Malta. Applicants need an investment of €25k+ ≈ $28k. You can stay 3 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €25k+ ≈ $28k
- **Government fees:** €750 ≈ $840
- **First stay:** 3 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: government fee €750 ≈ $840; investment €25k+ ≈ $28k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €750 ≈ $840**

- EUR 750 (≈ $840) Fee for each adult applicant or dependant for a 3-year permit; EUR 300 (≈ $340) residence-card fee.

**Shown, not spent: €30k+/yr ≈ $34k**

- EUR 30,000 a year (≈ $33,500) Core employees need an annual gross salary of at least EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500).

**Invested and held: €25k+ ≈ $28k**

- 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.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The permit is granted for 3 years and can be renewed for 5 more once the startup is confirmed active and founders still meet the criteria.

[Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta](https://startup.residencymalta.gov.mt/eligibility/)

**Presence rules: Minimum stay**

Founders and co-founders must live and pay tax in Malta.

[Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta](https://startup.residencymalta.gov.mt/eligibility/)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Not open to EU or EEA citizens
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports, or passports from Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran and 6 more

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a founder or co-founder of a startup registered no more than seven years ago, anywhere in the world.
- The startup has not taken over another enterprise and was not formed through a merger.
- Founders, co-founders and core employees are at least 18 years old.
- The applicant is a third-country national; EU, EEA and Swiss nationals 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.
- Founders need an incorporated Maltese startup that meets the programme criteria.
- Core employees need a full-time contract with the startup.

#### What you must show

- 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.
- Core employees need an annual gross salary of at least EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500).
- Founders show enough financial resources in their own bank statements to support themselves and any dependants.
- Fee for each adult applicant or dependant: EUR 750 (≈ $840) for a 3-year permit, plus a EUR 300 (≈ $340) residence-card fee.

#### Documents

- Health insurance covers risks in Malta and other European countries for the applicant and all dependants.
- A clean criminal record with no pending charges, and no earlier rejected residence or citizenship application in Malta or abroad.

#### Steps

1. Founders live in Malta and pay their taxes there.

## When you become tax resident

How Malta decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **3 years at first, renewable**
- **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.
- **Special regime:** **Not ordinarily resident or not domiciled** · Tax relief

[All tax rules for Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** Health insurance covers risks in Malta and other European countries for the applicant and all dependants
- **Police certificate and civil documents** A clean criminal record with no pending charges, and no earlier rejected residence or citizenship application in Malta or abroad

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

Residence for founders and co-founders of a qualifying startup, with core employee and family routes. (sources 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. (source 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). (source 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. (source 1)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a founder or co-founder of a startup registered no more than seven years ago, anywhere in the world. (sources 1, 2)
- The startup has not taken over another enterprise and was not formed through a merger. (sources 1, 2)
- Founders, co-founders and core employees are at least 18 years old. (sources 1, 2)
- The applicant is a third-country national; EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are excluded. (sources 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. (sources 1, 2)
- Founders need an incorporated Maltese startup that meets the programme criteria. (source 1)
- Core employees need a full-time contract with the startup. (source 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. (sources 1, 2)
- Core employees need an annual gross salary of at least EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500). (source 1)
- Founders show enough financial resources in their own bank statements to support themselves and any dependants. (sources 1, 2)
- Health insurance covers risks in Malta and other European countries for the applicant and all dependants. (sources 1, 2)
- A clean criminal record with no pending charges, and no earlier rejected residence or citizenship application in Malta or abroad. (sources 1, 2)
- Founders live in Malta and pay their taxes there. (sources 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. (source 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)](https://startup.residencymalta.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Malta-Startup-Residence-Programme-Eligbility-and-Requirements-V4.2-August-2025.pdf) · Residency Malta Agency · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2025-08
2. [Startup Residence Programme: eligibility criteria](https://startup.residencymalta.gov.mt/eligibility/) · Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11

## Startup residence and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Startup residence | Needs an investment of €25k+ ≈ $28k | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) Greece | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 5 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Startup residence?

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. 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). A fee of EUR 750 (≈ $840). Fee for each adult applicant or dependant for a 3-year permit; EUR 300 (≈ $340) residence-card fee.

### How long can I stay on the Startup residence?

Founder permit three years, extended by a further five years after successful completion; core employee permit three years then three more.

### Can I work on the Startup residence?

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

### Can I bring my family on the Startup residence?

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.

### Who can apply for the Startup residence?

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.

### Is there a tax break for Startup residence holders in Malta?

Malta: not ordinarily resident or not domiciled - foreign-source income taxed only when received in Malta: 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. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.

## Tax

Special regime

### [Malta: not ordinarily resident or not domiciled - foreign-source income taxed only when received in Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/tax/#tax-mt-remittance-basis)

Tax relief

Foreign-source income: Remittance basis (non-dom)

**Details**

- On: Income arising outside Malta and received in Malta (remittance basis)
- Who: Not ordinarily resident in Malta, or not domiciled in Malta

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.

#### Taxed on

Income arising outside Malta and received in Malta (remittance basis), plus all Maltese-source income and Maltese capital gains;.

#### Who it applies to

- Not ordinarily resident in Malta, or not domiciled in Malta (Income Tax Act proviso (i) and (ii)).
- Persons charged at 15 cents in the euro under article 56(11) are taxed only on Maltese-source income and capital gains and on foreign-source income received in Malta.

#### Exclusions

- Maltese-source income and Maltese capital gains are fully taxable.
- Foreign-source income that is received in Malta (including foreign-source income remitted) is taxed.

#### Tax residence

Status depends on ordinary residence and domicile as defined for Maltese tax law; visa status is not the test.

#### Visas

Independent of the immigration permit.

#### Other taxes

Social security contributions and VAT are separate; Nomad Residence Permit income rules are in a separate record.

Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

[Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/tax/)

## More in Malta

[Nomad Residence Permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/nomad-residence-permit/) [MPRP · Buy property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/mprp-purchase/) [MPRP · Rent property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/mprp-rent/) [Retirement Programme](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/retirement-programme/) [Family Office residency](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/family-office/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/blue-card/) [Key Employee](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/key-employee/) [Single Permit (work)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/single-permit/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇩🇪 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) [🇦🇱 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/self-employed/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-11 against 2 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.

1. [Malta Startup Residence Programme eligibility and requirements (V4.2, August 2025)](https://startup.residencymalta.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Malta-Startup-Residence-Programme-Eligbility-and-Requirements-V4.2-August-2025.pdf) · Residency Malta Agency · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Startup Residence Programme: eligibility criteria](https://startup.residencymalta.gov.mt/eligibility/) · Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.