Malta Startup Residence Programme
Launch your startup inside the EU from an English-speaking Mediterranean island, with your…
Record checked Oct 27, 2026 · official source confirmed 14 Nov, 06:01 UTC
Summary
Residency Malta Agency and Malta Enterprise grant non-EU startup founders, core employees and their families a 3-year residence permit, extendable for a further 5 years, to set up an innovative startup in Malta.
Dream spread
Launch your startup inside the EU from an English-speaking Mediterranean island, with your family alongside.
Relocation reality check
Only for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, and nationals of (or people with close ties to) Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Venezuela are excluded. The Malta company must put in at least EUR 25,000 of tangible investment or paid-up capital (plus EUR 10,000 for each co-founder beyond four, max six). The startup must be no more than 7 years old, have a business plan approved by Malta Enterprise and file monitoring reports. Founders must actually live and pay tax in Malta. Fees include EUR 750 per adult applicant or dependant, a EUR 690 employment licence and residence-card fees. Family permits do not give automatic work rights.
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-EU founders and co-founders (18+) of a startup registered no more than 7 years in manufacturing, software, industrial services, health/biotech/life sciences, eco industries or other innovative activities, meeting at least two innovation criteria; core employees earning at least EUR 30,000 a year; and their immediate family. Clean record, health insurance and sufficient own funds required.
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
- Y5
Costs & money
The amounts & terms on record from the official source. USD figures are estimates.
- Duration
- 36–96 months
- Property purchase
- Not required
- Tax
- Beneficiaries must be living and paying their taxes in Malta.
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
- Visa & consular fees$500
- Health insurance
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
Official links, the line we checked, and when we last checked it.
“"The Malta Startup Residence Programme grants a 3-year residence permit, extendable for an additional 5 years... Intended for non-EU nationals"; "The incorporated startup in Malta is required to place a tangible investment and/or paid up share capital of not less than €25,000."”
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.