Malta's Nomad Residence Permit

Recently, a new type of residence permit has been introduced in Malta entitled ‘The Nomad Residence Permit’. It vests its holders with the right to retain their current employment-based in another country whilst legally residing in Malta. The permit is open to third-country nationals (non-EU) who can work remotely and independent of location, using telecommunications technologies.

Malta’s objective is to let entrepreneurial digital expats make the most of what Malta has to offer in terms of Malta’s environment, culture, lifestyle and climate.

The key features of the Nomad Residence Permit are the following:

Eligibility Requirement

An applicant must prove that s/he:

1. can work remotely, using telecoms.
2. is a third country national (non-EU)
3. reach a monthly income threshold of EUR 2,700 gross of tax
4. holds a valid travel document
5. holds a health insurance covering risks in Malta.
6. has a valid rental/purchase agreement of an accommodation within Malta upon approval of application

Three Choices/Categories of Work

 An applicant must prove that s/he falls under any one of the following three (3) categories:

         i.          works for an employer that is registered in a foreign country and has a contract of work with that employer; OR

       ii.          conduct business activity for a company that is registered in a foreign country and of which s/he is a partner/shareholder; OR

      iii.          offer freelance or consulting services mostly to clients, whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country, and with whom the applicant has contracts.

Family Members

The family members which may join the applicant are his/her:

         i.          spouse

        ii.          children, including adopted children, of the main applicant or of his/her spouse who, at the time of application, are less than eighteen (18) years of age;

      iii.          children, including adopted children, of the main applicant or of his/her spouse, who at the time of application are over eighteen (18) years of age, are not married, and who prove that that at the time of application, are principally dependent on the main applicant;

However, in the case of the addition of a family member to the application, the applicant must prove that in addition to the monthly income threshold of EUR 2,700 gross of tax, s/he earns 20% of the median wage for each family member, who may join him/her.