​The Government of Malta has recently launched a new advantageous taxation scheme ‘The Global Residence Programme’ designed to attract individuals who are not nationals of the EU, EEA or Switzerland and who are not long-term residents. Individuals benefitting from this Programme are not precluded from working in Malta, provided they satisfy the requisite conditions for obtaining a work permit.

Beneficiaries may also have Household staff providing a service in their qualifying

Who may apply? Applicants meeting all of the following criteria are eligible to submit an application in terms of the Global Residence Programme:

1) An individual who is not an EU national, a national of Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein or a national of Switzerland.

2) An individual who is not a beneficiary in terms of any of the following tax programmes:- Residents Scheme Regulations - High Net Worth Individuals Rules - Malta Retirement Programme Rules - United Nations Pensions Programme Rules - Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity Rules - Highly Qualified Persons Rules.

 
Property:

An applicant must own a qualifying property or qualifying rented property which the individual occupies as his principal place of residence worldwide. The values of such properties are indicated below:-

Areas considered to be the ‘South of Malta’ for the purposes of The Residence Programme are:- Birżebbuġia, Cospicua, Fgura, Għaxaq, Gudja, Kalkara, Kirkop, Luqa, Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Mqabba, Paola, Qrendi, Safi, Santa Luċija, Senglea, Siġġiewi, Tarxien, Vittoriosa, Xgħajra Żabbar, Żejtun and Żurrieq.

It is important to note that no person other than the beneficiary and his / her dependants may reside in the qualifying property at any time and the qualifying property may not be let or sub-let.

Furthermore, to qualify, applicants must a) be in receipt of stable and regular resources that are sufficient to maintain himself / herself and his / her dependants without recourse to the social assistance system in Malta.  b) be in possession of a valid travel document. c) is in possession of sickness insurance which covers himself and his dependants in respect of all risks across the whole of the EU normally covered for Maltese nationals. The health insurance cover must be procured by a company licensed in Malta or by an internationally reputable health insurance company. d) the applicant can adequately communicate in one of the official languages of Malta being that of Maltese or English.  e) be in possession of a police conduct issued not earlier than six months prior to the date of submission of the application, together with a sworn declaration taken before a Commissioner for Oaths in Malta confirming that he / she is not subject to any ongoing civil or criminal proceedings.

Tax:

Minimum tax threshold of €15,000 per annum, paid in advance on income remitted to Malta with any further income charged at 15%. Other incomes including those locally sourced are subject to a standard tax rate of 35%.