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Nomad Residence Permit

MaltaRemote work and digital nomads

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Which remote workers qualify: foreign employees, freelancers, company owners or other remote professionals?

Applicants must be able to work remotely, independent of location, using telecommunications technologies, and fit one of three categories: Employed (employer registered in a foreign country, with a contract of employment); Self-Employed (business activity for a foreign-registered company of which the applicant is a partner/shareholder); or Freelance (freelance or consulting services to clients whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country, with contract agreements with those clients).

See recorded sources
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    able to work remotely and independent of location, using telecommunications technologies; and
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Furthermore, one must prove that they fit under any one of the three categories hereunder: Employed - with an employer registered in a foreign country and has a contract of employment. Self-Employed - conduct business activity for a company that is registered in a foreign country and of which applicant is a partner/shareholder. Freelance - offer freelance or consulting services to clients whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country, and with whom the applicant has contract agreements.

What income threshold applies, how must it be demonstrated, and how does family affect it where stated?

Applicants must have a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000; applicants who applied before 1 April 2024 retain the €32,400 requirement. Main applicants must prove a guaranteed source of income, as per the applicable thresholds, for a minimum period of 5 months (cumulative) from the day of application; the Agency may request documentation showing that income, and submissions are reviewed case by case. The official source does not state whether the threshold changes when dependants are included.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The FAQ does not state whether the income threshold changes when dependants are included.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Main Applicants (MAs) in all of the above employment statuses must prove they have a guaranteed source of income, as per applicable thresholds, for a minimum period of 5 months (cumulative) from the day of application. The Agency reserves the right to request documentation showing such income. In any case, all submissions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and on their own merits.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Applicants must have a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Applicants who submitted their application prior to 1 st April 2024 will still retain the same annual gross income requirement of €32,400.

Where must the employer, company or clients be located? Is local work restricted?

Work must not be for the Maltese market: persons contracted by a foreign company to give services to its Maltese subsidiary, and persons providing services directly or indirectly to Malta-based companies or individuals, are ineligible. Holders and their dependants cannot offer services to, or engage in economic activity with, employers or companies based or registered in Malta; those who do would need to renounce the permit and apply for an employment or self-employment residence permit, and Residency Malta may revoke the permit.

See recorded sources
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Persons contracted by a foreign company and giving services to the company’s Maltese subsidiary, and persons who directly or indirectly will be providing services to Malta based companies or individuals are ineligible for the Nomad Residence Permit.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    No, a Nomad Residence Permit holder, including also his/her dependants cannot offer their services or be engaged in any economic activity with employers/companies based/registered in Malta.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Third-country nationals offering services to companies registered and based in Malta would need to renounce their Nomad Residence Permit and apply for a residence permit on the basis of employment and/or self-employment in Malta.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Residency Malta reserves the right to revoke the Nomad Residence Permit should it become aware of such activity being undertaken by a holder of the Nomad Residence Permit.

Can family accompany? How long is the status granted and can it be renewed?

The main applicant can include the spouse, minor children of the main applicant or spouse, unmarried adult children principally dependent on the main applicant, and adult children unable to cope independently due to a medical condition or disability. The permit is valid for one year from issuance of the residency card and may be renewed three times, for a maximum total stay of four years, at Residency Malta Agency's discretion and subject to meeting the programme criteria. Renewal requires a bank statement with payment transactions in Malta proving cumulative residence of at least five months over the previous twelve months.

See recorded sources
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Yes, the Main Applicant (MA) can include family members in his/her application. The eligible dependants are: the spouse; minor children of the MA and/or spouse; adult children of the MA and/or spouse, which children are not married and who are principally dependent on the MA; adult children of the MA and/or spouse, which children are unable to cope independently due to a medical condition or disability may apply for a Permit under the same conditions, together with the MA.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    A Nomad Residence Permit is valid for one (1) year from the issuance of the residency card.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Yes. The initial Nomad Residence Permit is issued for 1 year. The Permit may be renewed three times, for a total stay of a maximum of four (4) years at the discretion of Residency Malta Agency, subject to the applicant still being able to satisfy the programme criteria.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    To be eligible for renewal, Nomad Residence Permit holders are required to provide a bank statement showing payment transactions carried out in Malta as proof that they have resided in Malta for a cumulative period of at least five (5) months over the previous twelve (12) months.

What immigration-relevant tax/residence information is officially stated, and what longer-term residence direction exists?

Tax obligations may arise under both foreign and Maltese law; for Maltese income tax the FAQ refers to S.L. 123.210 Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules and the Income Tax Acts (Chapters 123 and 372). Being issued a Nomad Residence Permit does not necessarily mean the holder is taxed under those Rules, as all their conditions must also be met. The permit does not lead to any permanent or long-term residency or citizenship, nor to the MPRP; a holder may apply for the MPRP through a licensed agent and, if approved, must renounce the Nomad Residence Permit.

See recorded sources
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    In respect of nomads, tax considerations and obligations might arise under both foreign and Maltese legislation. In respect of income tax obligations under Maltese law, you may wish to refer to S.L. 123.210 Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules and the applicable provisions of the Income Tax Acts, Chapters 123 and 372 of the Laws of Malta.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    The fact that an applicant is issued with a Nomad Residence Permit does not necessarily mean that the applicant is entitled to be subject to Maltese tax in terms of Subsidiary Legislation 123.210 - the Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules. In order for an individual to be taxed under the said Rules, s/he has to also satisfy all the applicable conditions set out therein.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    Applicants are strongly advised to seek separate, independent tax advice regarding their personal tax position and obligations in Malta and any other relevant jurisdictions
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    No, the Nomad Residence Permit does not lead to any sort of permanent/long-term residency or citizenship.
  • https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/new-faqs/
    The Nomad Residence Permit does not lead to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). They are two separate residence programmes. A Nomad Residence Permit holder can submit an application for the MPRP through one of the licensed agents listed on the Residency Malta website and if approved they would need to renounce the Nomad Residence Permit.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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