Special Tax Programme Economic Self-Sufficient Residence

MaltaLiving from your own income

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

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Is this aimed at retirees, pensioners, financially independent people, passive-income holders or another profile?

It is only for beneficiaries of a local residence investment or tax programme, such as the Global Residence Programme, Malta Residence and Visa Programme, Malta Retirement Programme or Acquisition of Citizenship. The GRP targets individuals who are not EU, EEA or Swiss nationals and do not hold long-term resident status in Malta; the MRP targets people not in an employment relationship who receive a pension as their regular source of income.

See recorded sources

https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
Identità accepts applications for Economic Self-Sufficiency only from individuals who are beneficiaries of a local residence investment or tax programme, such as the Global Residence Programme, Malta Residence and Visa Programme, Malta Retirement Programme, or the Acquisition of Citizenship.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
The Global Residence Programme (GRP) is a residence and tax programme designed to attract individuals who are not nationals of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, and who do not hold long-term resident status in Malta.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
The Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) is a residence and tax programme designed to attract nationals of the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, and non-EU countries who are not in an employment relationship and who receive a pension as their regular source of income.

Which types of income/assets are accepted according to the official source?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm which types of income or assets are accepted.

What income, savings or financial-resources threshold applies and how does family affect it where officially specified?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the income or savings threshold and the family uplift.

Can the holder work locally, run a business or perform other economic activity? What is the family position?

The permit can be revoked if the holder engages in activities not allowed under it, such as working in Malta without the required Jobsplus employment permit. The official source does not otherwise state whether the holder can work locally, run a business or perform other economic activity, or the family position.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The document does not explicitly state whether the holder is allowed to work locally, run a business, or perform other economic activity. It only mentions that engaging in activities not allowed under the permit, such as working without the required Jobsplus employment permit, can lead to revocation. The family position regarding economic activity is not addressed.

Refusals and Withdrawals - Can my approved permit be withdrawn or revoked later?
Employment without authorization: Your permit can be revoked if you engage in activities not allowed under your permit, such as working in Malta without the required Jobsplus employment permit. Applicants must always comply with the specific conditions and restrictions of their residence status.

How long is the status granted, what is required for renewal, what physical-presence obligations matter, and what longer-term residence direction exists?

Renewal requires updated documentation proving the conditions are still met, including a recent Commissioner for Revenue declaration that the applicant still satisfies the Special Tax Programme criteria; renewals are currently issued for 2 years. A fixed residential address in Malta is required and may be checked at each renewal, and long absences from Malta may be questioned during renewal. The official source does not state the validity period of the first permit or a longer-term residence direction.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The FAQ does not state the validity period of the first permit.
No longer-term residence direction is stated.

https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
Once the tax or investment programme is approved by the Commissioner for Revenue and the final confirmation certificate is received, applications are submitted online through Identità’s application portal, with step-by-step guidance provided throughout.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
Applicants must complete and submit Form K, along with all required original supporting documents.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
Renewing your ESS residence permit requires updating the above documentation and proving that you still meet the conditions:
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
A copy of a recent declaration issued by the Commissioner for Revenue is to be presented confirming that the applicant still satisfies the criteria for the Special Tax Programme
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
Renewals are currently issued for 2 years.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
A fixed residential address in Malta is required, and proof may be checked at each renewal.
https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/economically-self-sufficient/
Long absences from Malta may be questioned during permit renewal.

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

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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.

Special Tax Programme Economic Self-Sufficient Residence

Is this aimed at retirees, pensioners, financially independent people, passive-income holders or another profile?

Which types of income/assets are accepted according to the official source?

What income, savings or financial-resources threshold applies and how does family affect it where officially specified?

Can the holder work locally, run a business or perform other economic activity? What is the family position?

How long is the status granted, what is required for renewal, what physical-presence obligations matter, and what longer-term residence direction exists?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.