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)
The Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was a residency-by-investment route granting Stamp 4 permission, but it has been closed to new applicants since 15 February 2023; the government cited anti-money-laundering and due-diligence concerns, and no replacement exists (alternatives are now the Critical Skills Employment Permit or Start-up Entrepreneur Programme). When active it required a minimum qualifying investment of EUR 1,000,000 (about USD 1,090,000) via enterprise, an investment fund, a REIT, or endowment, plus proof of at least EUR 2,000,000 in legally acquired net worth. Spouse and dependent children were included. It imposed no minimum physical presence: one day in Ireland per year sufficed, so many holders never became Irish tax residents (residency triggers at 183 days in a year, or 280 across two). The pathway led to permanent residence and citizenship eligibility after 5 years, with an oath and dual nationality permitted. Pre-February 2023 approved applicants continue to be processed.
Full Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) profile →About Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
Malta's Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is an investment-based residency route for non-EU/EEA nationals that grants permanent residence immediately on approval, not a renewable temporary visa. Applicants combine a government contribution (€58,000 if buying property, €68,000 if renting), a €2,000 NGO donation, qualifying real estate — purchase at €375,000+ (€300,000 in South Malta/Gozo) or rent at €14,000+/year held 5 years — and proof of €500,000+ in assets, of which €150,000 must be financial. The non-refundable application fee is €40,000. Dependents are added for roughly €7,500 each. No minimum annual stay is required to keep status active. MPRP does not grant EU-wide freedom of movement, and it is not a direct citizenship route — naturalisation separately requires 5+ years of actual physical residence, which the programme itself does not mandate. Malta taxes non-dom residents only on Malta-source and remitted foreign income, often around 15% effective, rather than worldwide income. Due diligence is unusually strict, covering residence history in every country over the past decade.
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.