3. Global Residence Programme
Programme intended to attract expatriates (non EU, non EEA or
non Swiss) who are not long term residents of Malta AND who are
seeking to establish an alternative residence base in the European
Union.
Essentially a Tax Programme administered by the Maltese
International Tax Unit (the “ITU”) in terms of which a Beneficiary
can benefit from substantial tax saving opportunities.
Programme does not preclude Beneficiaries from working in Malta
provided they obtain a work permit.
3
4. Malta Residence Programmes
Options
Ordinary Residence
Business Immigration
Malta Residence and Visa Programme
The Global Residence Programme
The Residence Programme
United Nations Pensions Programme
Malta Retirement Programme
Qualifying Employment in Innovation and Creativity (Personal Tax)
Rules
Highly Qualified Persons Rules
4
5. Eligibility Criteria
1. Individual Applicants - excluding EU, Iceland, Norway,
Liechtenstein and Swiss nationals
2. Dependant Family Members and Household Staff may also be
included within the Application (provided they reside with the
Beneficiary in the Qualifying Property).
NOTE
►Applicants having dual nationality one of which is EU, EEA or
Swiss are not eligible under the Programme
►Beneficiaries under any of the other Malta residence
programmes are also excluded.
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6. Eligible Dependants
Eligible Dependants may be included in the same GRP Application:
- Spouse / Partner in a stable relationship
- any Minor Child of the Applicant or of his Spouse / Partner,
including an adopted child
- any Adult Child of the Applicant or of his Spouse / Partner
(18 – 25 years of age and economically inactive)
- any Adult Child of the Applicant or of his Spouse / Partner
unable to maintain himself owing to serious illness or disability
- any Dependant Brothers, Sisters, Parents or Grand Parent of the
Applicant or of his Spouse / Partner
6
7. Athorised Registered Mandatory
Applicants must be introduced to the ITU and represented
throughout the application process by an Authorised Registered
Mandatory (“ARM”)
Continued representation by the ARM at all times during the
Beneficiary’s participation under the Programme
Dingli & Dingli Law Firm – recognised as an Authorised Registered
Mandatory
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8. Conditions
1. ►Own or Rent a Qualifying property
Value of property depends on location thereof in the Maltese
islands
In case of purchase, minimum value in range € 220,000 − € 275,000
In case of rent, minimum rental in range €8,750 - €9,600 per annum
Property already in ownership/ rent of Applicant can be used
Property may not be let or sub-let to third parties
Property to be occupied as principal place of residence worldwide
(Primary Residence)
Property to be used exclusively by applicant, his dependants and
any household staff
12 months from date of ‘Letter of Intent’ by the Authority for
condition of the Qualifying Property to be fulfilled.
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9. Conditions (contd.)
2. ►Be economically self- sufficient with stable and regular
resources
3. ►Possess a valid travel document
4. ►Possess worldwide health insurance cover (€50,000 per
person)
5. ►Ability to Communicate in English or Maltese
6. ►Is fit and proper
Administrative Fee (non-refundable) of €6,000 / €5,500 (if
Applicant already owns property in the South of Malta)
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10. Submission of GRP Application
Forms and Documents (fully complete and in the required format)
Administrative Fee paid
Forms :
(1) Application for Special Tax Status Global Residency Programme.
► this includes the authorisation of Authorised Registered Mandatory
(2) Questionnaire in Connection with Global Residency Programme
Supporting Documents
Original Supporting Documents (except where certified true copies of
originals are permissible) + authenticated English translations
Examples : Birth / Marriage / Police Conduct Certificates; Bank Statements etc.
Certified copies of documents and authenticated translations need to
be legalised by Apostille (Hague Convention 1961) unless done in
Malta
10
11. Indicative Time Line (in Weeks)11
Submission of Application Forms and Documents to ITU
ITU issues Acknowledgement Letter and commences Due
Diligence
ITU invites Applicant for an Interview in Malta
Letter of Intent / Notice of Primary Residence issued
Qualifying Property secured / Notice of Primary
Residence submitted (Tax Reg. No. issued)
Payment of initial minimum Income Tax of €15,000
Letter of Confirmation of Special Tax Status issued
1
2
6
8
10
12
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12. Malta Residency Cards
(Economic Self Sufficiency)
Malta E-Residency Cards may be obtained by the Beneficiary and
his Dependants on grounds of economic self-sufficiency
Application is made to Identity Malta
Charge of €55 per applicant
Capture of Biometric Data of Beneficiary and Dependants
E-Residency Cards issued within 6 weeks
E-Residency Cards must be collected in person
E-Residency Cards are issued for a validity of 2 years
12
13. Malta Residency Cards
- Requirements
Requirements :
1 Letter to Identity Malta by the ARM giving reasons for application
2 Completion of relevant Application Forms (Form K / Form ID-1A)
3 Copy Letter of Confirmation of Special Tax Status
4 Copy of Passport
5 Recent Bank Statements (proof of financial means)
6 Evidence of Comprehensive Worldwide Health Insurance (€50,000
minimum)
7 Copy of Residential Lease Agreement
8 Copies of Birth and Marriage Certificates
13
15. Global Residence Programme –
Tax Treatment
As Resident Non-Domiciled individuals, beneficiaries would be subject to:
Tax on Malta source income & foreign source income received in Malta,
Foreign source Capital Gains are exempt even if received in Malta.
Special Tax Status
Flat rate of 15% on foreign source income received in Malta,
Minimum tax of €15,000 per annum
Double Tax Relief available but subject to minimum tax payment.
35% rate on Malta source income:
Such as over bank interest (MT bank account) and dividends (MT company)
15
16. Global Residence Programme –
Continued obligations
Status holders not required to give count of actual physical presence in Malta
but must ensure not to spend 183 days or more in any 1 other country;
Annually file Income Tax Return + effect payment of Income Tax
Annual Declaration to be submitted
Continued fulfilment of the eligibility criteria;
Not cause threats to :-
Public safety,
Protection of public order,
National security,
Territorial integrity,
Public health or morals.
16
17. Global Residence Programme –
The Benefits
17
Fast
process –
completed
in weeks
Remittance
basis of
taxation +
special tax
rate
No
minimum
presence
required in
Malta
Freedom of
movement
within the
Schengen
Area
Can include
family
members +
domestic
staff
18. MALTA RESIDENCE AND VISA PROGRAMME
(“MRVP”)
- Dr. Kevin F. Dingli
Managing Partner
Dingli & Dingli Law Firm
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19. Malta Residence and Visa
Programme (“MRVP”)
Programme established by Regulations made under the
Immigration Act in 2015 (Legal Notice 288/2015)
Leads to the acquisition of a permit to reside, settle or stay
indefinitely in Malta
Identity Malta is the Government Agency responsible for the
administration of the Programme
Applications are introduced to Identity Malta by Registered
Accredited Persons (“RAPs”)
English is the language of the Programme
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20. Malta Residence and Visa
Programme (“MRVP”)
Programme intended to fill a gap in the various residency and
citizenship programmes already available
Applies to third country nationals (non EU, non EEA or non Swiss
citizens) (nationals of Afghanistan and North Korea are excluded)
Not a tax programme
Programme does not preclude beneficiaries from working in Malta
provided they obtain a work permit
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21. Malta Residence and Visa
Programme
Programme centres around a Main Applicant and his Eligible Dependants
Residence Certificate issued once the established Conditions are satisfied
Certificate Entitles the Beneficiary and his Dependants to reside, settle or
stay indefinitely in Malta
Residence Card also issued (valid for 5 years)(renewable)
Beneficiary not entitled to any other rights mentioned in the Immigration
Regulations
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22. Main Applicant
The MRVP is focussed on the Main Applicant (‘Head of the
Family’), who must have the following qualifications :
be at least 18 years of age
meet the application requirements
commit himself to provide proof of title to a Qualifying
Property
commit himself to invest in a Qualifying Investment
commit himself to pay the Contribution
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23. Eligible Dependants
Eligible Dependants may be included in the same MRVP
Application :
- Spouse / Partner of the Main Applicant
- any Minor Child of the Main Applicant or of his Spouse (less than
18 years of age), including an adopted child
- any Unmarried Adult Dependant Child of the Main Applicant or
of his Spouse (18 – 26 years of age)
- any medically certified Disabled Adult Child of the Main
Applicant or his spouse
- any Dependant Parent or Grand Parent of the Main Applicant or
of his Spouse
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24. Appointment of Registered
Accredited Person
Applications are introduced to Identity Malta by a
Registered Accredited Person (“RAP”)
RAP acts as the Main Applicant’s Representative on all
applications, correspondence and dealings with Identity
Malta
The Main Applicant issues a Power of Attorney in favour of
the RAP (and sometimes also enters into a Letter of
Engagement with the RAP)
RAP completes and submits an Official Compliance Form
(Form “MRVP5”) annually for first 5 years, and subsequently
once every 5 years (also signed by Beneficiary)
RAP processes Residency Card renewal requests with
Identity Malta
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25. Proof of Assets or Income
• Capital Assets
Requirement€500,000
• OR Annual Income
Requirement (alternative)€100,000
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26. MVRP in a Nutshell
Application Forms + Documents +
Administrative Fee
Due Diligence Phase
Property + Investment + Contribution +
Comprehensive Health Cover
Compliance with Ongoing Obligations
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27. Submission of MVRP Application
Forms + Documents (fully complete and in the required format)
On acceptance for processing Identity Malta issues Invoice for
Administrative Fee
Forms (1) Application Forms : MRVP1 for Main Applicant (to be
sworn/affirmed before a Commissioner for Oaths and apostilled)
MRVP4 for Dependants; (2) Administrative Forms : (i) Form MRVP2
(Personal Details, and Source of Funds and Wealth for Main
Applicant), MRVP3 (Medical Report) and MRVP6 (Clearance Form)
Original Supporting Documents (except where certified true
copies of originals are permissible) + authenticated English
translations
Examples : Birth / Marriage / Police Conduct Certificates; Bank
Statements etc.
Certified copies of documents and authenticated translations
need to be legalised by Apostille (Hague Convention 1961) unless
done in Malta
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29. Letter of Approval in Principle
Conditions
to be
satisfied
Letter of
Approval in
Principle
Due
Diligence
Phase
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30. Qualifying Property
Purchase of Residential Property at
minimum consideration €320,000
or Lease of Residential Property at
minimum annual rent of €12,000
to be held for a minimum of 5 years
from date of Certificate
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31. Qualifying Investment
In the form of Malta Government
Stocks
Having an initial market value of
€250,000
To be held for a minimum period of
5 years from date of Certificate
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34. Indicative Timeline (months)
1
• Submission of Application and Supporting Documents to Identity
Malta (including initial vetting of Application Pack by Identity Malta)
4
• Completion of Due Diligence Phase by Identity Malta – Letter of
Approval in Principle issued
5
• Payment of Contribution, satisfaction of Property and Investment
requirements and Comprehensive Global Health Cover
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35. Indicative Timeline
6
• Issuance of Residency Certificate / Letter of Invitation
6
• Visit to Malta for Biometric Data to be captured
6
• Issuance of E-Residence Cards to Main Applicant and Dependants
• (within 3 – 5 working days of capture of biometric data)
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36. Ongoing Obligations
The Beneficiary is obliged to continue to meet the
Conditions imposed by the Regulations
In particular the Beneficiary is to have left Malta either for
6 consecutive months or for 10 months cumulative in a 4
year period
Failure to do so could lead to the revocation of the
Certificate
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37. Revocation of Certificate
If the Beneficiary becomes a Maltese, EEA or Swiss
national
If the Beneficiary becomes a Long-Term Resident in Malta
If the Beneficiary ceases to satisfy the Investment and
Property requirements or any other conditions laid down
If the Beneficiary’s continued stay in Malta is not in the
Public Interest
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38. Personal Income Tax Considerations
The MVRP is not a tax programme
The MVRP does not require a Beneficiary to become tax resident
in Malta
Once obtainted, the Certificate does not itself imply tax
residency in Malta
A person only becomes tax resident in Malta if he physically
spends 183 days + in Malta during any fiscal year (“Ordinary
Residence”)
A Person who is Ordinarily Resident in Malta becomes liable to
personal tax in Malta on income earned in Malta and/or remitted to
Malta (Ordinary Tax Rates apply)
A Person who is both Ordinarily Resident and Domiciled in Malta
becomes liable to personal tax in Malta in respect of his
worldwide income
38
40. вопросы?
Dr. Kevin F. Dingli Dr. Veronica Delicata
kevin@dingli.com.mt veronica@dingli.com.mt
Notes de l'éditeur
In an application, the Main applicant can also include his spouse, financially dependent ascendants and other non-family members as well as dependent relatives that are members of the household.
Children under the age of 25 are automatically eligible for inclusion. Over 25, only if still financially dependant.
Dual citizenship holders who hold citizenship in any of the excluded countries are precluded from applying under this programme.
This exclusion would apply unless benefits under any of these programmes are renounced prior to submitting an application under this programme.
In case of rent, lease must not be for less than 12 months.
4. Evidence of financial resources to be included in application- copy of recent bank statements
6. Insurance cover for applicant and any dependants included in the application. Policy required to cover all risks across the EU normally covered for Maltese nationals – advised minimum annual cover of €50,000 per annum.
7. Before issuing the Letter of Intent, the ITU would request a meeting with the main applicant where he would need to demonstrate that he is able to communicate at least in English.
8. Not fit in terms of physique but in the sense of a person of good conduct and repute. Criteria of assessment outlined in the rules.
In fact, a recent police conduct certificate would need to be presented for all the main applicant and any adult dependants (18 and over) in the application. They must also present a sworn affidavit confirming that they are not subject to any ongoing civil or criminal proceedings. If involved in such proceedings – details to be given.
Source & Remittance basis of taxation
In an application, the Main applicant can also include his spouse, financially dependent ascendants and other non-family members as well as dependent relatives that are members of the household.
Children under the age of 25 are automatically eligible for inclusion. Over 25, only if still financially dependant.
In an application, the Main applicant can also include his spouse, financially dependent ascendants and other non-family members as well as dependent relatives that are members of the household.
Children under the age of 25 are automatically eligible for inclusion. Over 25, only if still financially dependant.