Malta Startup Residence Programme: Residency for Innovative Entrepreneurs

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The Malta Startup Residence Programme grants residency to non-EU entrepreneurs investing €25,000+ in innovative ventures. Learn requirements, benefits, and how it leads to long-term settlement and citizenship.

Introduction

The Malta Startup Residence Programme is designed for non-EU entrepreneurs who want to launch or scale innovative businesses in Malta while gaining long-term residency in the EU.

With a minimum €25,000 investment, founders can secure a 3+5-year residence permit, visa-free access to the Schengen Zone, and access to Malta’s dynamic startup ecosystem—covering industries such as high-tech manufacturing, gaming, health innovation, and green energy.

Unlike Malta’s Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) or Global Residence Program (GRP), which focus on wealth and taxation, this programme specifically supports innovation-driven founders and startups.

Program at a Glance

• Program Type: Active Investor Visa (Entrepreneurial Residency)
• Minimum Investment: €25,000 (plus €10,000 for each additional co-founder or team member)
• Visa Validity: Initial 3 years, extendable by 5 years (total 8 years)
• Time to Permanent Residency: 5 years of continuous residence
• Time to Citizenship: ~9 years (indirect path, subject to residence compliance)
• Physical Presence Requirement: 183+ days/year in Malta (tax residency)
• Application Processing Time: 4–6 months
• Visa-Free Travel (Citizenship): ~187 destinations including Schengen, UK, US, Canada
• Contribution Types: Business investment only

General Requirements

Startup Requirements

• Business must be less than 7 years old.
• Must operate in innovative or strategic sectors (tech, gaming, medtech, sustainability, green ventures, etc.).
• Company must not have distributed profits yet.

Financial Requirements

• Founders must invest at least €25,000.
• Additional €10,000 investment per co-founder or key employee.

Residency Obligations

• Founders must live in Malta for 183+ days per year and pay taxes locally.

Excluded Nationalities

Citizens of Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela are not eligible.

Benefits of the Startup Residence Programme

• Residency in an EU Member State with access to Schengen.
• Favorable business ecosystem supported by Malta Enterprise.
• Family inclusion: spouse and dependents can join the application.
• English-speaking environment, making integration easier.
• Path to citizenship (after 9 years with continuous residence).
• Access to funding opportunities and Europe’s startup networks.
• Tax-friendly environment for founders and startups.

Path to Citizenship

The Startup Residence Programme does not grant direct citizenship, but offers a residency-to-citizenship path:

1. 3-Year Residence Permit – granted upon approval.
2. 5-Year Extension – renewable if startup remains compliant.
3. Permanent Residency – eligible after 5 years of continuous residence.
4. Citizenship Eligibility – after 9 years of legal stay, subject to: Holding PR for at least 4 of the last 6 years, No absence of >6 consecutive months or >10 months in total during this period, Integration test (language/cultural familiarity), Approval at the discretion of Maltese authorities.

Program Authority

• Administered by: Residency Malta Agency & Malta Enterprise
• Legal Basis: Malta Immigration Act (Cap. 217)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I bring my family with me under this programme?
A: Yes, spouse and dependents can be included in the application.

Q2: Do I need to live in Malta full-time?
A: Yes, applicants must reside at least 183 days/year to maintain status.

Q3: What sectors qualify as “innovative”?
A: Medtech, green energy, ICT, gaming, AI, blockchain, biotech, and high-end manufacturing are priority areas.

Q4: How long until I can apply for citizenship?
A: Around 9 years, but subject to residence compliance and government discretion.

Q5: How much must I invest?
A: €25,000 for the founder, plus €10,000 per co-founder or key team member.

User Comments

Lina – Tech Entrepreneur from Ukraine

The Malta Startup Residence was ideal for launching my AI company. Residency plus EU access was a huge advantage.

David – Founder from India

I appreciated the low entry cost (€25,000) compared to other EU startup visas. The local support network was helpful.

Sophia – Investor from Brazil

The ability to bring my spouse and kids while building a startup in Malta made this program perfect.

Michael – Medtech Innovator from Canada

Processing was straightforward. Living in Malta gave me access to EU markets and investors.

Editor’s Note

The Malta Startup Residence Programme is one of the most affordable entrepreneur residency programs in Europe, ideal for founders and early-stage startups seeking EU access.

Compared to the MPRP (wealth-based PR) and GRP (tax residency), this programme is innovation-focused—best for those who want to genuinely live, build, and scale a business in Malta.

For lifestyle-driven applicants, the MPRP may be easier; but for entrepreneurs, the Startup Residence offers long-term opportunities and a citizenship pathway.

Tags

Malta Startup Residence Programme | Startup Visa Malta | EU Entrepreneur Visa | Residency Malta | Malta Citizenship | Innovation Visa Europe