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NRP — Nomad Residence Permit (NRP – Digital Nomad Visa)
VisasMaltaNRP — Nomad Residence Permit (NRP – Digital Nomad Visa)
MaltaMalta•Europe
Open

NRP — Nomad Residence Permit (NRP – Digital Nomad Visa)

Work Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 month

Application Fee

300 EUR

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

No

Remote Work

Allowed

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Live in Malta as a non-EU remote worker earning €42,000+ a year from foreign employers or clients, with a 1-year permit renewable up to 4 years.

Launched in June 2021 under Legal Notice 121, Malta's Nomad Residence Permit (NRP) lets third-country nationals reside in Malta while working remotely for foreign employers, foreign-registered companies they own, or foreign freelance clients. Residency Malta Agency runs the program; applicants must be 18+ with a minimum gross annual income of €42,000 (since 1 April 2024).

The permit lasts one year and is renewable up to three times for a four-year maximum. A non-refundable €300 administrative fee applies per applicant, and background processing targets about 30 working days, with the residence card issued 3-4 weeks after biometrics. Health insurance and Maltese accommodation are required on approval; holders and dependants cannot work for Malta-based employers.

This visa is ideal for non-EU remote employees, foreign-company owners, and freelancers earning €42,000+ who want to base themselves in Malta for up to four years while their income stays tied to foreign clients.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant1 year

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Single Permit (Permess Uniku)
Malta flagMalta

Single Permit (Permess Uniku)

ValidityVaries (Renewable annually while employed)
ProcessingVaries
View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Be a third-country national (non-EU/EEA/non-Swiss); certain nationalities currently ineligible (e.g. Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DRC, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen, Venezuela, Russia, Belarus)

Be at least 18 years of age

Be able to work remotely via telecommunications technology

Fit one of three categories: employed by a foreign-registered employer; partner/shareholder in a foreign-registered company conducting business; or freelance/consultant with foreign clients

Demonstrate a minimum gross annual income of €42,000 (applications submitted before 1 April 2024 retain €32,400)

Show guaranteed income for at least 5 cumulative months from application date

Hold valid health insurance covering Malta and the EU (required upon approval)

Provide a valid property rental or purchase agreement covering the permit duration (required upon approval)

Provide an original Police Conduct Certificate less than 6 months old

Hold a valid travel document

Pass background verification with no security, public-policy, or public-health risks

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

Min. Income

42,000 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Application Form N4

Copy of all passport pages (including blank ones) in a single PDF

Signed and dated Letter of Intent

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Bank statements for the last 3 months showing income credited directly to the account

Original Police Conduct Certificate (less than 6 months old)

Proof of remote work (employment contract, business registration, or client service contracts)

Health insurance policy

Proof of accommodation (rental or purchase agreement)

Consent forms for minor dependants (if applicable)

Marriage/Birth certificates for dependants (if applicable)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Up to 4 years' residence in an EU member state (1 year initial + 3 renewals)
  • Self-petitioned: no Maltese employer or sponsor required
  • English-speaking administration and Schengen-area lifestyle
  • Dependants (spouse, minor children, dependent adult children) can be included in the main application
  • Foreign-source income not remitted to Malta is outside Maltese tax under general principles
  • Application targets ~30 working days for background processing

Worth Knowing

  • Minimum gross income of €42,000/year, with guaranteed income for at least 5 cumulative months
  • Non-refundable €300 administrative fee per applicant, paid by bank transfer
  • Health insurance covering Malta and the EU plus Maltese accommodation required on approval
  • Maltese tax treatment depends on S.L. 123.210 conditions and personal circumstances — seek independent advice
  • Dependants cannot be added after payment or approval (except newborns at renewal)
  • Closed to EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals — third-country nationals only
  • Some nationalities currently ineligible (e.g. Russia, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Yemen, Venezuela)
  • Cannot be used to work for Malta-based employers or clients

Application Process

1

Confirm eligibility: third-country national, 18+, working remotely for a foreign employer, foreign company you own, or foreign freelance clients

2

Gather documents: passport, CV, Letter of Intent, last 3 months' bank statements, police conduct certificate (<6 months old), proof of remote work

3

Submit application online via the Nomad portal at portal.residencymalta.gov.mt, attaching Application Form N4 for each applicant

4

Pay the non-refundable €300 administrative fee per applicant by bank transfer from the Main Applicant's account

5

Await background checks and decision (~30 working days from receipt of funds)

6

On Approval in Principle, submit proof of accommodation (rental/purchase) and health insurance within 30 working days

7

Receive entry visa instructions from the Central Visa Unit if required, then travel to Malta

8

Email nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt to arrange biometrics; collect residence card in person (~3-4 weeks)

Application Forms

Go to application portal
Application Form N4Fill online
Application Form N2OptionalFill online

Verified Claims (14)

Last verified Jun 18, 2026
Application StepsConfirm eligibility: third-country national, 18+, working remotely for a foreign employer, foreign c…nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
Dependent VisaSpouse, minor children, and adult dependent children (unmarried, principally dependent or with a med…nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
Fee BreakdownAdministrative fee (per applicant): 300 EURnomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
FeesEUR 300nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
FormsApplication Form N4; Application Form N2nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
Application Portalhttps://portal.residencymalta.gov.mt/landingnomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
Official Infohttps://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
Max Stay1 year initial, renewable up to 3 times for a maximum of 4 yearsnomad.residencymalta.gov.mt

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