Malta
MLTMalta is a compact Southern European archipelago and EU/Schengen member that formerly offered an investor-citizenship route (naturalisation for exceptional services), but that route was struck down by the Court of Justice of the EU on 29 April 2025 (Case C-181/23) and is closed to new applicants. Malta's residency-by-investment programme (MPRP) remains available, but it is a residency route and not a fast passport route.
The economy centres on financial services, iGaming, and tourism, supported by a remittance-based tax system where non-domiciled residents are taxed only on income actually remitted to Malta, a real advantage over standard EU residence-based regimes. The general Malta Residency programme covers most non-investment relocators. The passport ranks 9th globally with visa-free access to around 156 destinations, and dual citizenship is permitted. English is official alongside Maltese, and English proficiency ranks 2nd globally, easing integration considerably.
Standard naturalisation requires 5 years. Healthcare (index 74) is well regarded and EU-standard, and the cost of living (index 58) is moderate but rising, with Sliema and St Julian's pricier than Valletta or Mdina. EU citizens may buy one property freely; non-EU buyers need an Acquisition of Immovable Property permit.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Remittance Based
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Valletta
- Region
- europe
- Population
- 533,000
- Cost-of-living
- 58 /100
Passport Rank
#9
Visa-Free
156
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Malta passport has visa-free access to 156 destinations. See the full Malta passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Malta without a prior visa (91)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Malta
Current IRCC processing times for Malta nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 29 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | No processing time available |
| Work permit | No processing time available |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-10-07 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Valletta
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Maltese, English
- Population
- 533,000
- Tax System
- Remittance Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- Schengen / EU
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- English Proficiency Rank
- #2
- GDP per capita
- $47,907
- Life expectancy
- 82.96 yrs
- Population growth
- 1.89%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
58
Safety
72
Healthcare
74
Quality of Life
162
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Remittance Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valletta | $1,400 | $1,000 | $310 | $120 | $26 |
| Sliema | $1,600 | $1,100 | $320 | $125 | $26 |
| St Julian's | $1,700 | $1,200 | $325 | $130 | $26 |
| Mdina | $1,100 | $800 | $290 | $115 | $26 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Valletta
Rainfall range: 1–101 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Sliema
Rainfall range: 1–101 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Schengen C
- Long-stay
- Single Permit
- Specialist Employee Initiative
- Nomad Residence Permit
- Permanent Residence (MPRP)
- Student
- Family
- Authority
- Identità (formerly Identity Malta)
- Official Portal
- identita.gov.mt
- Phone
- +356 2590 4000
- info.identita@gov.mt
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 5
- Language Test
- Yes (A2)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $460
- Processing
- ~12 months
Real Estate
- Avg price/sqm (capital)
- $5,000
- Transaction taxes
- 8%
Foreign buyers: EU citizens may purchase one property without restriction. Non-EU buyers must obtain an Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit; some areas designated as Special Designated Areas allow unrestricted purchase by all foreigners. Sliema and St Julian's typically range €4,000–€6,000/sqm.
International Schools
← scroll the table →
| School | City | Curriculum | Tuition (USD/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdala International School | Rabat | American / IB | $12,000–$20,000 |
| San Anton School | Balzan | British | $8,000–$15,000 |
Daily Life Logistics
Internet
300 Mbps median
88% fibre coverage
eSIM: GO Malta, Melita, Epic
Driving
IDP required
Exchange eligible: EU member states, UK, Australia +1 more
Pet Relocation
Quarantine: none
Rabies titre not required
EU pet passport: accepted
Safety
GPI Rank
#25
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Overpriced taxi rides from Valletta waterfront
- ⚠restaurant tourist menus with inflated prices
- ⚠ferry ticket touts
Examples of areas to avoid: Paceville very late night (St Julian's), Marsa industrial area after dark
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Yes
- ILGA Rank
- #1
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Limited
- Prayer Facilities
- Limited
Sample Citizenship Test Questions
Q1. In what year did Malta join the European Union?
Answer: 2004
Source: Identity Malta Naturalisation Guidelines
Q2. What are the two official languages of Malta?
Answer: Maltese and English
Source: Identity Malta Naturalisation Guidelines
Q3. Which city serves as the capital of Malta?
Answer: Valletta
Source: Identity Malta Naturalisation Guidelines
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Malta, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Chamber of Advocates Malta
COAProfessional body for advocates in Malta; legal practice is regulated under Maltese law.
Related Guides
Fastest paths to an EU passport in 2025
A sourced comparison of the shortest EU naturalisation timelines, from 2-year descent fast-tracks to 5-year residency routes — plus the hidden requirements that extend them in practice.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Citizenship by Investment
Company Formation in Malta
Sources & last verified
- Last verified