Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility:

1. Who is eligible for an Economically Self-Sufficient residence permit?

2. Can my family be included in the Economically Self-Sufficient residence permit application?

3. What are the special programmes (GRP, MRP, MPRP) and their criteria?

Required Documentation (First-Time and Renewal):

1. Required documentation for the Economically Self-Sufficient residence permit for First-Time Applicants:

2. What are the required documents for first-time/renewal Economically Self-Sufficient Applications?

Residence Application Form: Form K must be duly filled and signed.
Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 8 months. Submit a full copy (all pages, including blank pages) and the original passport for verification at the biometrics appointment.
Proof of Legal Entry/Stay: Evidence of legal stay in Malta, such as a visa with an entry stamp, current residence permit, or if visa-exempt, a flight ticket and entry stamp. Applications must be made while you have legal authorization to stay.
Proof of Accommodation in Malta: You must show you have suitable residential accommodation in Malta.
Lease Agreement (if renting): Copy of a long-term lease (minimum 1 year), signed by tenant and landlord, showing the full names, ID numbers, property address, rental period, and rent. If the landlord is a non-Maltese national or foreign company, attach a copy of the property’s purchase deed or contract to verify ownership.
Lease Agreement Professional Attestation Form: This form is required for new leases or address changes and must be completed by the landlord and attested by a Maltese lawyer, notary, or legal procurator.
Housing Authority Lease Registration Certificate: This confirms that the lease is registered under Chapter 604 and is mandatory for all private residential leases.
Property Purchase Agreement (if owning): Copy of the final deed showing ownership, any required permits, and proof that the property is your residence.

Please note that any change of address must be reported to Identità and requires the submission of a new lease agreement, Housing Authority certificate, and Lease Agreement Professional Attestation Form for the new lease.

Special Tax Status Certificate: Applicants under GRP or MRP must provide a copy of the Certificate from the Commissioner for Revenue confirming they meet the criteria set out in the applicable law. MPRP applications are handled by Residency Malta.
Marriage/Birth Certificate: These documents must be apostilled or legalised and accompanied by a certified translation.
Parental Authorization / Proof of Custody: For children under 18, provide parental authorization or legal proof of custody allowing the child’s residence in Malta.
Health Insurance: Health insurance must provide minimum coverage of €100,000 and include outpatient and inpatient medical treatment, including hospitalisation in Malta and other European countries.
Application Fee: The residence permit application fee is currently €100 for first-time applicants.

All documents must be in English or Maltese. Documents in other languages must be accompanied by an official translation by a certified translator and properly apostilled or legalized, as required (e.g., birth or marriage certificates).

3. What documents are required for Renewals?

Renewing your ESS residence permit requires updating the above documentation and proving that you still meet the conditions:

Residence Application Form: Form K must be duly filled and signed.
Valid Passport: The passport must be valid for at least 8 months; submit a full copy if renewed, or the biometric page if unchanged.
Proof of Legal Stay: Copy of the valid residence permit (both sides).
Lease Agreement (if renting): Provide a copy of a long-term lease (minimum 1 year), signed by both tenant and landlord, showing full names, IDs, property address, rental period, and rent. If the landlord is a non-Maltese national or foreign company, include proof of property ownership. For renewals at the same address, the lease must be valid or renewed.
Lease Agreement Professional Attestation Form: Required for new leases or address changes; completed by the landlord and attested by a Maltese lawyer, notary, or legal procurator.
Housing Authority Lease Registration Certificate: Confirms the lease is registered under Chapter 604; mandatory for all private residential leases. For renewals at the same address, this must be valid or renewed.
Property Purchase Agreement (if owning): Copy of the final deed showing ownership, any required permits, and proof that the property is your residence.

Please note that any change of address must be reported to Identità and requires submitting a new lease agreement, Housing Authority certificate, and Lease Agreement Professional Attestation Form for the new lease.

Under GRP/MRP: A copy of the initial Certificate from the Commissioner for Revenue showing that the applicant satisfies the criteria stipulated in the applicable law.
A copy of a recent declaration issued by the Commissioner for Revenue is to be presented confirming that the applicant still satisfies the criteria for the Special Tax Programme
Under MPRP: Applications are fully processed by Residency Malta according to their requirements.
Health Insurance (updated): Provide proof of ongoing coverage. If the policy was renewed or changed, include the new document. Coverage must remain continuous, as gaps may affect renewal approval. This must have a minimum coverage of €100,000 and include outpatient and inpatient medical treatment, including hospitalisation in Malta and other European countries.
Fee: The residence permit application fee is currently €100 per year. Renewals are currently issued for 2 years.

4. When to apply for renewal?

Refusals and Withdrawals:

1. On what grounds can my residence application be refused?

2. What happens if my application is refused?

3. Can my approved permit be withdrawn or revoked later?

4. If my permit is withdrawn or revoked, what can I do?

Contact Points and Support:

1. Contact Points and support

For further information or assistance regarding your application, here are key contact points:

Identità – Expatriates Unit (Residence Permits): This is the government agency handling residence permits for non-EU nationals. You can reach out for queries about forms, appointments, and general requirements.
Telephone: +356 2590 4000 (office hours Mon-Fri 07:15 – 14:30 local time).
Email: identita@gov.mt (General customer care email – for detailed case-specific queries, they might require you to provide personal details due to privacy.)
Website: gov.mt – Here you can find downloadable forms (e.g, [Form K – Application for Economically Self-Sufficient Status], and the [Lease Agreement Attestation Form], guidance notes, and an online appointment booking portal. The site also has a FAQs section and news updates about any policy changes.

Commissioner for Revenue – International Tax Unit (Special Tax Status Programs): If you have questions specifically about the GRP or MRP application for special tax status, or about maintaining your obligations under these programs, you can contact the International Tax Unit of the CFR (which falls under the Ministry for Finance).

Website Resources: The Ministry (CFR) provides downloadable Guidance Notes and Application Forms for GRP/MRP on their website. For instance, see the [Global Residence Programme page at cfr.gov.mt] which has links to the Application Form, Questionnaire, and Guidance Notes. Ensure you refer to the latest guidelines (as of Version 2.0 – 2020). These guidance documents have contact information and step-by-step details on obtaining the tax certificate.

Residency Malta Agency (for MPRP): The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is administered by a separate agency:

Website: gov.mt – provides official information on the MPRP, including guidelines, list of licensed agents, and FAQs.
Contact: Residency Malta Agency, Zentrum Business Centre, Level 2, Mdina Road, Qormi, QRM 9010, Malta.
Telephone: +356 2203 4000.
Email: residencymalta@gov.mt

Housing Authority – Private Lease Registration Unit: If you need assistance with registering your lease or obtaining the registration certificate:

Website: mt – you can find information on how landlords register leases and the tenant’s rights. The FAQ on that site can be useful if your landlord is unfamiliar with the process.

Expats Malta forums/groups – While not official, many have gone through the process and can share experiences (always cross-check any advice with official sources).

Professional service providers: Law firms and relocation agencies in Malta specialize in residence permit applications. If your case is complex or you simply prefer, you can hire a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant to handle the paperwork. They will charge a fee but will ensure everything is in order. (For GRP/MRP, you might already have one since an authorised mandatory is often required for those applications.)

If you lose your residence card or passport, report it immediately to the police and inform Identità. They can guide on replacing lost permits (there’s a form and fee for card replacement).

Keep the contact details of your country’s embassy or consulate in Malta readily available. They can assist if you need documents from home (like new passport, or help in emergencies).

Finally, always refer to official sources for the most updated information. Rules and procedures can change (for example, program thresholds may update, or new forms may be introduced). Identità’s announcements and the Legislation Updates are important. If you are unsure about any requirement, reaching out to the Expatriates Unit before submitting your application can prevent mistakes. The process can be detailed, but Malta has made efforts to streamline it – with preparation and the above guidance, you should be well on your way to securing your residence permit as an economically self-sufficient individual in Malta.