Malta Retirement Programme
Retire to Malta or Gozo with a flat 15% tax on the pension you bring in.
Record checked Oct 27, 2026 · official source confirmed 1 Nov, 06:48 UTC
Summary
Pensioners granted special tax status under Malta's Retirement Programme Rules pay a flat 15% on foreign income they bring into Malta, with a minimum tax of EUR 7,500 a year plus EUR 500 per dependant.
Dream spread
Retire to Malta or Gozo with a flat 15% tax on the pension you bring in.
Relocation reality check
Minimum tax of EUR 7,500 a year (plus EUR 500 per dependant or carer) even if 15% would be lower, and any other income is taxed at 35%. You must own a home worth at least EUR 275,000 (EUR 220,000 in Gozo or the south of Malta) or rent one for at least EUR 9,600 a year (EUR 8,750 in Gozo/the south). Your pension must be all received in Malta and be at least 75% of your chargeable income; you cannot be in employment. You must spend at least 90 days a year in Malta (averaged over five years) and no more than 183 days in any other country. Maltese nationals are excluded and status ends if you become a third-country national, so in practice it is for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Applications go through a licensed agent (Authorised Registered Mandatary) with a EUR 2,500 fee.
Your fit signals
The real program is below — the 0–100 scoring is a paid feature.
Full match score — Solo / Household
The 0–100 move-match score, quality score, and would-stay breakdown — with confidence and full reasoning — unlock on Solo and Household.
See Solo & Household plansReality engine
Four lenses on whether this move fits you — tap a panel to see the logic behind each signal.
Eligibility
Non-Maltese (in practice EU/EEA/Swiss) pensioners not in employment, whose pension is at least 75% of chargeable income, who hold qualifying property, have EU-wide health insurance, are not Malta-domiciled and do not intend to become so within five years.
The long game
If Malta becomes home, here is the road from first visa to a second passport.
Malta · residency → PR → citizenship
Verify rules- Y0ArriveYear zero
- Y5Permanent residency~5 years
- Y5Citizenship eligible
Costs & money
The amounts & terms on record from the official source. USD figures are estimates.
- Income requirement
- Pension, all received in Malta, must make up at least 75% of chargeable income.
- Property purchase
- Not required
- Tax
- 15% on income arising outside Malta and received in Malta by the beneficiary, spouse and children; minimum EUR 7,500 a year + EUR 500 per dependant/special carer (payable in full in the first and last year); other income taxed at 35%; double-tax relief available.
True cost to move
Upfront cash, reimbursements, and net position after approval — not headline incentive amounts.
- Flights & logistics$1,200
- Temporary housing (90 days)$2,400
- Deposit / first month rent$2,000
Application roadmap
A practical sequence — adjust for your consulate and timeline.
1. Confirm official eligibility
Read the primary government source.
2. Gather income & employment proof
Bank statements, contracts, or tax records.
3. Book consulate / immigration appointment
Slots vary by country and season.
4. Prepare health coverage
Meet minimum coverage rules before arrival.
Meet people before you go
Existing communities already talking about life in 🇲🇹 Malta. Lurk, ask, make a friend — before the flight.
- r/malta
Small island, active sub — relocation threads get real answers.
Facebook groups
Source trail
We could not fully confirm the key figures against the official source. Check it yourself before relying on them.
“"the rate of fifteen cents (0.15) on every euro shall apply on any income arising outside Malta which is received in Malta by the beneficiary ... Provided that the minimum amount of tax payable ... shall be seven thousand and five hundred euro (€7,500) in respect of the beneficiary and five hundred euro (€500) per year of assessment for every dependent and every special carer." (S.L. 123.134, rule 5)”
Primary official sourceLast checked Oct 27, 2026- Secondary referenceLast checked Oct 27, 2026
Rule changes
CasaSedora last checked the official source on 14 Nov 2026. Changes appear here once two independent automated checks agree on them, or a person confirms them.
No rule changes recorded since monitoring began.
Our summaries point you to what moved — always confirm details on the official source.