Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) vs Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) leads to citizenship (~5 yrs); Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) does not.
- ›Lower capital: Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) (150,000 USD) vs 1,090,000 for Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP).
- ›Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) uses territorial taxation; Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) taxes worldwide income.
Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) Ireland · investment | Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) Malta · investment | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Ireland | Malta |
| Category | Investment | Investment |
| Application Fee | $1,500 | $40,000 |
| Minimum Income | — | — |
| Minimum Investment | $1,090,000 | $150,000 |
| Processing Time | 6 months | 6 months |
| Family Included | Spouse and dependent children were included under the programme when it was active | €7,500 additional government contribution per additional adult dependent |
| Path to PR | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 0 years |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 5 years | No |
| Physical Presence | No minimum physical presence requirement was imposed under this programme — one day's presence in Ireland per year was sufficient to maintain the permission. | No minimum annual stay required to maintain permanent residency |
| Dual Citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
| Tax Impact | Ireland's tax residency rules apply based on physical presence (183 days in a year, or 280 days across two years). Since the programme imposed no minimum presence requirement, many holders did not become Irish tax residents. | Permanent residency does not automatically create tax residency; Malta's tax system is favorable, and residents who remit income may benefit from low effective rates |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 183 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Yes | Territorial |
| Renewal Cost | — | — |
About Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
IMPORTANT: The Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was officially suspended on 15 February 2023 and is no longer accepting new applications. When it was active, the programme offered Stamp 4 residence permission to non-EEA nationals making a minimum qualifying investment of €1 million in an Irish enterprise, Irish government bonds, a real estate investment trust, or a qualifying endowment. No replacement programme had been announced as of mid-2024.
Full Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) profile →About Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
Malta's Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) grants immediate permanent residency — not just a temporary visa — to non-EU nationals through a combination of government contributions, donations, and real estate investment or rental. Malta offers full Schengen access and a stable EU jurisdiction.
Full Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) profile →Gotchas to Watch For
Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP)
- ⚠CLOSED TO NEW APPLICATIONS since 15 February 2023
- ⚠Irish government cited concerns over anti-money-laundering and due diligence as closure reasons
- ⚠No direct replacement programme — Ireland does not currently have a residency-by-investment path
- ⚠Alternative routes: Critical Skills Employment Permit, Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
- ⚠MPRP grants permanent residence but NOT EU free movement to work/live in other EU states
- ⚠Malta citizenship by naturalisation for residents requires 5+ years + oath + language (different from Malta CBI)
- ⚠Enhanced due diligence is among the strictest globally — prior residency in 10 countries each requires separate criminal records
- ⚠Property must be maintained for full 5 years; selling earlier risks residence withdrawal
- ⚠Malta taxes non-dom residents on Malta-sourced income + foreign income remitted to Malta only
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.