Version 14
Last Updated March 25, 2026
Topics
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Eligibility
To be eligible one must be:
- 18 years and over;
- able to work remotely and independent of location, using telecommunications technologies; and
- a Third Country National, excluding EU, EEA and Switzerland. Nationals from the currently ineligible countries of (or have close ties with) Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela are not eligible. Additionally, applications from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are currently not eligible. The list of ineligible countries may be revised from time to time by the Agency, at its discretion.
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.
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.
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. Applicants must have a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000. Applicants who submitted their application prior to 1st April 2024 will still retain the same annual gross income requirement of €32,400. Other eligibility criteria include a:- valid travel document;
- valid property rental/purchase agreement covering the whole duration of the permit upon approval of application; and a
- valid health insurance policy upon approval of application.
- 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.
Application process
The application must be made through our online application system. The following application guidelines will guide you through the whole process. We recommend that this guide is read before one starts the online application process. A checklist of documentation required may be accessed here.
The application will then be checked to ensure that requested documents have been submitted by one of our Nomad Client Relations and Compliance officers and a receipt of application will be issued with instructions for payment of a €300 non-refundable administrative fee for each applicant, via bank transfer. Payments should be made directly from the MA’s bank account.
Once the payment is received, the processing of the application will start. Application processing is expected to take 30 working days starting from the issuance of the receipt of funds issued from our Finance Department, during which Residency Malta will conduct background checks. This does not include any processing time required for visa issuance purposes. Should the Agency have any queries, we will revert in the form of a report.
Should the application be successful a Letter of Approval in Principle is issued, and one is required to submit proof of accommodation and a health insurance policy within 30 working days from the date of issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle. Once the above is finalised, a Letter of Final Approval is issued. If an applicant requires an entry visa, they will be contacted by the Central Visa Unit at Identità (formerly known as Identity Malta Agency) to guide him/her on the process. Kindly refer to the FAQs’ section ‘Visas And Residence Permits’
Once in Malta, the applicant is required to notify us via email at nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt to set up an appointment for the capture of biometrics.
The residence card takes between three (3) to four (4) weeks to be issued. Once issued, the applicant will be notified via email and requested to pick up the card in person from Residency Malta’s offices, bringing with them their passport.
In the case of a renewal application, following the Letter of Approval in Principle, all required documents are to be submitted prior to the expiry of the current Nomad Residence Permit.
The following fees apply:
- a non-refundable application fee of €300 per person, to be paid to Residency Malta Agency via bank transfer from MA’s bank account;
- a fee of €100 for the issuance of a residency card by Identità per person, to be paid in person at Residency Malta’s offices. Payments can only be made by card. Cash payments are not accepted; and
- Any other visa related fees (if applicable).
Permit Renewals
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.
In addition, Nomad Residence Permit holders must still satisfy the respective eligibility renewal criteria. Applicants who submitted their application prior to 1st April 2024 will still retain the same annual gross income requirement of €32,400.
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.
If you do not submit a renewal application, or the renewal application has been rejected, you may submit a fresh application 12 months after the expiry date of the preceding residence permit. When reapplying, please refer to the New Application Checklist. Note that a Nomad Residence Permit may be renewed for a maximum of four (4) years, and previous stays on the Nomad Residence Permit will be taken into account.
Submission of Nomad Final Proof Documents
If the main applicant is approved and chooses a temporary accomodation, the following final proof documents must be submitted through our online portal: https://portal.residencymalta.gov.mt/nomad-document-submission
- Health Insurance Policy for each applicant, with a minimum coverage of EUR 100,000 for European Union (including Malta) and the UK
- Table of Benefits in accordance with the following: https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Health-Coverage-Table-of-Minimum-Benefits-30.3.26.pdf
- Health Insurance Receipt
- Declaration by the applicant confirming that any additional medical expenses not covered by the health insurance provider will be borne by the applicant
- Temporary Accommodation Booking, including the start and end dates and the full residential address (The booking period must commence following the issuance of the LAP, with a minimum duration of fifteen (15) days and a maximum of one (1) month)
- Booking Receipt (Proof of Payment)
If the main applicant is approved and chooses a long term accommodation, the following final proof documents must be submitted through our online portal: https://portal.residencymalta.gov.mt/nomad-document-submission
- Health Insurance Policy for each applicant, with a minimum coverage of EUR 100,000 for European Union (including Malta) and the UK
- Table of Benefits in accordance with the following: https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Health-Coverage-Table-of-Minimum-Benefits-12.06.25.pdf
- Health Insurance Receipt
- Declaration by the applicant confirming that any additional medical expenses not covered by the health insurance provider will be borne by the applicant
- A signed copy of the lease/purchase agreement signed between parties
- A declaration either by the landlord or the applicant confirming the area in square meters and number of bedrooms
- The latest ARMS (Water and Electricity Bill) with account type as residential or domestic and in the name of the owner
- External photos of the qualifying property, clearly showing the name, number and main entrance of the court/building and the internal door number of the apartment (if applicable)
- Housing Authority Registration Approval
- If any unauthorized individuals are registered at the qualifying property a De-registration form and Housing Authority Termination Letter or a Generic Police Report must be provided
A qualifying property means an owned or a rented property, which meets the general health and safety standards in force in Malta from time to time, and is standard for a comparable family in Malta, as the Agency considers appropriate for residence at its discretion. To ensure that these standards are being met, Residency Malta Agency reserves the right to request further documentation if deemed necessary. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, Housing Authority registration form and compliance certificates. Residency Malta reserves the right to conduct property spot checks at its own discretion.
Accomodation and residence cards
Temporary accommodation is a short-term place of stay up to a maximum of one (1) month which can be submitted upon issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle. Applicants who require an entry visa, a 15-night minimum stay is required. On securing such temporary accommodation, a receipt of confirmation will be issued by the Agency, however, upon arrival in Malta, one must opt to secure a 1-year lease for a card to be issued within the 3-month timeframe from the issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle. Examples of temporary accommodation include hotels and Airbnb.
The temporary accommodation must be prepaid. The applicant must submit both the booking confirmation and the payment receipt, together with a valid health insurance policy (see section "Health Insurance Policy").
Yes, co-habitation (or co-living) is acceptable. One would need to provide the following documentation:
- a signed copy of the contract (property can either be leased or purchased) signed between the parties
- a declaration either by the landlord or the applicant confirming the area in square meters and number of bedrooms
- ARMS utility bill (water and electricity bill which is not older than 6 months) with account type as residential or domestic and in the name of the landlord
- External photos of the qualifying property, clearly showing the name, number and main entrance of the court/building and the internal door number of the property (if applicable)
- housing approval issued by the housing authority
Residency Malta Agency reserves the right to conduct property spot checks, at its own discretion. The beneficiaries could declare the number of bedrooms and the total square metres of the property either through the lease/purchase agreement or as part of the Housing Authority registration form.
Yes, one can lease a property. One will need to provide the following documentation:
- a signed copy of the lease contract signed between the parties,
- a declaration either by the landlord or the applicant confirming the area in square meters and number of bedrooms,
- ARMS utility bill (water and electricity bill which is not older than 6 months) with account type as residential or domestic and in the name of the landlord
- External photos of the qualifying property, clearly showing the name, number and main entrance of the court/building and the internal door number of the property (if applicable)
- housing approval issued by the housing authority.
- If any unauthorized individuals are registered at the qualifying property a De-registration form and Housing Authority Termination Letter or a Generic Police Report must be provided.
Residency Malta Agency reserves the right to conduct property spot checks at its own discretion. The beneficiaries could declare the number of bedrooms and the total square metres of the property either through the lease/purchase agreement or as part of the Housing Authority registration form.
Yes, one can stay with someone who has a purchased property. One will need to provide the following documentation:
- a signed copy of the purchase contract stating the owner's name and signed by both parties,
- Declaration from the owner confirming the applicants stay.
- a declaration either by the landlord or the applicant confirming the area in square meters and number of bedrooms,
- ARMS utility bill (water and electricity which is not older than 6 months) with account type as residential or domestic and in the name of the landlord
- External photos of the qualifying property, clearly showing the name, number and main entrance of the court/building and the internal door number of the property (if applicable)
Residency Malta Agency reserves the right to conduct property spot checks at its own discretion.
Yes, one can stay in their purchased property. One will need to provide the following documentation:
- a signed copy of the contract stating the owner's name and signed between the parties,
- a declaration either by the landlord or the applicant confirming the area in square meters and number of bedrooms,
- ARMS utility bill (water and electricity which is not older than 6 months) with account type as residential or domestic and in the name of the landlord
- External photos of the qualifying property, clearly showing the name, number and main entrance of the court/building and the internal door number of the property (if applicable)
Residency Malta Agency reserves the right to conduct property spot checks at its own discretion.
Residence cards and change of address
The following documentation is required:
- Form N3
- Form K
- Signed property lease/purchase agreement, signed between both parties
- a declaration either by the landlord or the applicant confirming the area in square meters and number of bedrooms,
- ARMS utility bill (water and electricity bill which is not older than 6 months) account type as residential or domestic and in the name of the landlord
- Photos of the external façade of the qualifying property, clearly showing the name, number and main entrance of the court/building and the internal door number of the property (if applicable)
- housing approval issued by the housing authority
- if any unauthorized individuals are registered at the qualifying property a De-registration form and Housing Authority Termination Letter or a Generic Police Report must be provided
A payment of €50 can be completed either by bank transfer or at Residency Malta’s office.
Please note that it is your responsibility to inform Residency Malta Agency when you change your address to a new property. If Residency Malta Agency receives information that an applicant has changed the property address without notifying us, we reserve the right to revoke the Nomad Residence Permit.
A Nomad Residence Permit holder must submit the following documentation to the following email address - nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt.
- Form N3
- Local police report.
- A foreign police report is required if the Nomad Residence Card was lost outside of Malta.
A payment of €50 in respect of an administration fee for card issuance by Identità can be completed either by bank transfer or at Residency Malta’s office.
Visas and Residence Permits
Please note that if, at the time of application, an applicant is already residing in Malta and holds a valid visa or residence permit, they are kindly requested to inform the Residency Malta Agency by email at nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt clearly stating the expiry date of their visa and their nomad application number.
Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma / Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, , Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Third country nationals hailing from Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan or Sri Lanka must be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through an EU airport international transit area.
These guidelines may change from time to time.
If the approved applicant requires an entry visa, they will be contacted by the Central Visa Unit at Identità (formerly known as Identity Malta Agency) and provided with information regarding the visa application process.
Where temporary accommodation documents are submitted and deemed compliant, a receipt will be issued to the main applicant.
Where long-term accommodation documents are submitted and deemed compliant, a Letter of Final Approval will be issued to the applicant.
Once an entry visa is acquired, an applicant can enter Malta within the stipulated visa timeframe of 90 days. Upon arrival, they would need to notify Residency Malta Agency via the following email address: nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt, to book their biometrics appointment.
Following the issuance of the Letter of Final Approval, which is valid for thirty (30) working days from the date of issue (in the case of long-term accommodation), or upon the issuance of the receipt confirming the successful submission of the temporary accommodation documents, the approved applicant will be required to travel to Malta for the capture of biometrics. If they do not require an entry visa to Malta, they can enter Malta as per Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code). Upon arrival, they will need to notify Residency Malta Agency via email nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt to book an appointment for the capture of biometrics.
Health Insurance Policy
The health insurance policy must provide cover for one (1) full year and must cover the validity period of the Nomad Residence Card. The applicant may be required to extend their health insurance coverage in the event of a discrepancy between the expiry date of the health insurance policy and that of the Nomad Residence Card.
The health insurance policy, the receipt of purchase, the table of benefits and a declaration regarding additional medical expenses are all required to be submitted to the Nomad Client Relations and Compliance Department on nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt. Prior to purchasing your health insurance policy, you may consult with our team for further guidance.
The health insurance policy must provide at least the following minimum coverage benefits https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Health-Coverage-Table-of-Minimum-Benefits-12.06.25.pdf
Tax
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.
For guidelines on income tax rules related to the Nomad Residence Permit, please refer here.
Disclaimer: Residency Malta Agency does not provide tax advice nor assumes any responsibility for an applicant’s tax compliance and interpretation of applicable tax laws. It remains the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure compliance with all relevant tax regulations.
Main applicants are required to submit a declaration confirming their compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations, based on their individual circumstances. This includes adherence to all reporting, taxation, and other obligations related to income earned throughout the duration of the permit referenced in their application. The declaration is available on the portal and must be downloaded and included as part of the submission of the second or third renewal application.
Police Conduct Certificate
Yes, all applicants aged 18 and over at the time of application submission must provide Residency Malta Agency with an original police conduct certificate as issued by the competent national/federal authorities in the country of origin. In instances where countries issue such certificates for individuals below the age of 18, and such minors are part of the application, these certificates are also to be submitted to the Agency.
Police certificates must be original documents, less than 6 months old upon submission of application, and certified by the national/federal police system of the relevant country. Any police conduct certificates which are not in the English language should be translated accordingly.
In certain countries, police authorities will only send the certificate directly to other foreign institutions requesting it. In such cases, the certificate should be sent to the following email or physical addresses:
Email address: nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt
Physical address: Nomad Client Relations, Residency Malta Agency, Zentrum Business Centre, Level 2, Mdina Road, Qormi, QRM 9010, Malta