Malta startup visa (Startup Residence Programme)

The applicant must be a third-country national aged 18 or over, the founder or a co-founder of an enterprise registered anywhere in the world (including Malta) for no more than seven years, and have a concrete intention to develop or expand the business in Malta. The company must not have taken over another enterprise’s activity or been formed by a merger. Nationals of, or people with close ties to, a list of ineligible countries published by the Residency Malta Agency cannot apply.

The project must be innovative: Malta Enterprise looks for at least two of income potential across several markets, new or substantially improved products or services, and new or substantially improved processes. Founders must not be directly affiliated with another company in the same industry registered for more than seven years.

The start-up incorporated in Malta must place a tangible investment or paid-up share capital of at least €25,000. If more than four co-founders apply, another €10,000 is needed for each additional co-founder, with six co-founders as the maximum. Each founder must also hold enough money in their own bank account to support themselves and their dependants, have health insurance covering Malta and other European countries, a clean criminal record and no earlier rejected residence or citizenship application in Malta or abroad.

The application fee is €750 for each adult applicant or dependant for the first three years. When the permit moves to its next stage, a €500 residence card fee covers the next five years for founders and co-founders, and €300 applies to three-year renewals for core employees. Founders, co-founders and core employees also pay Jobsplus €690 for an employment licence covering the first three years; founders then pay €1,150 for the next five years and core employees another €690 for three.

Beneficiaries must have a real presence in Malta, both in business and in daily life: they live and pay taxes there. Founders collaborate with Malta Enterprise for the life of the permit, submitting a detailed business plan on the official template and annual or bi-annual monitoring reports. Founders who need a visa apply for the entry visa after the Letter of Approval in Principle. Renewal for five more years depends on Malta Enterprise and the Residency Malta Agency confirming that the start-up is still running and the criteria are still met.

Start-ups can bring core employees with specialised skills who are vital for starting operations: they need a full-time contract with the start-up, at least €30,000 gross a year and the intention to live in Malta, and they apply after the founders are approved. Spouses, de facto partners, minor children and adult children principally dependent on the founder or employee can join. Their permits follow the main holder’s validity but do not give automatic access to work.