Malta Digital Nomad Visa: How To Apply in 2025
In this article, you will learn how to apply for the Malta digital nomad visa. This visa is also known officially as the Malta Nomad Residence permit. We go over the process, requirements, timeline, and we’ll also share our personal experience having successfully applied to the Malta Nomad Residence permit ourselves.
How to apply for the Malta digital nomad visa
Before applying for the Malta digital nomad visa, check that you are eligible. You may not need to hire a lawyer as the application can be completed online.
Important: when applying for this digital nomad visa, if you do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area, you might want to plan your travel carefully for 6 months. Make sure you have enough remaining days in the Schengen area to arrive in Malta and look for long-term accommodation. You will not receive any extension to your stay in the Schengen area while the visa is processed.
Malta digital nomad visa application process
To apply for the Malta Nomad Residence Permit, the application process is below:
Step 1: Gather all documents
Obtain all your documents, make sure they meet the requirements as mentioned by Residency Malta Agency, are up-to-date, translated and apostilled where required.
Step 2: Submit documents using the online portal
Use the official portal here to submit documents, unless you have a representative who will submit the application for you: https://portal.residencymalta.gov.mt/landing
Step 3: Pay for application
Documents will be checked by Residency Malta Agency. You may be asked to supply any missing documents or correct any issues with submitted documents at this stage.
Once all documents in step 2 are okay, you will receive an invoice and be requested pay to process the permit (300 Eur/applicant). We recommend using Wise to make the bank transfer as in our experience it’s very fast for money transfers in Malta (within the same business day usually).
As soon as the invoice is paid, application processing starts. If your application successful, you should receive a letter of approval in principle after 60 days.
Step 4: Provide proof of accommodation and health insurance policy
Once you’ve received the letter of approval in principle, you now have a final step to complete within 30 days. At this point you have 2 choices: either you can choose to provide proof of long-term accommodation if you can or provide a temporary proof of accommodation (max 30 days, such as AirBnB) to buy you some time to flat hunt once you arrive in Malta. We recommend the latter option. It’s always safer to see a flat before you book it. For us, we only signed the lease on an apartment via an agent after having physically seen the apartment, and made sure our lease was registered through Malta’s housing authority.
If you need more time, provide the temporary proof of accommodation + health insurance policy any time before the deadline: you don’t need to submit these right away. We submitted ours a day before the deadline.
Step 5 (optional): Apply for a visa to enter Malta
If you need a visa to enter Malta, you will be contacted to obtain this visa before you can arrive in Malta.
Step 6: Arrive in Malta
Arrive in Malta visa-free or with your visa, showing your letter of approval if needed at the immigration counter.
Step 7: Submit your biometrics
As soon as you arrive, let Residency Malta Agency know via email and book an appointment to submit your biometrics in person. This will take place at Residency Malta Agency and is normally a fast process taking at most 30min or so. If you don’t have your long-term accommodation yet, the biometrics can be kept pending until you submit the final documents: proof of long-term accommodation and health insurance policy.
Step 8 (Optional): Sign a long-term accommodation lease
For this step, we have a few tips:
- Check out the neighbourhoods first where you’d like to stay on either Malta or Gozo.
- Use a reputable agent and view the property beforehand. While you could book an apartment directly from the owner, we have heard of cases of property scams.
- Make sure the lease is registered with Malta’s Housing Authority. This is a trusted government agency that makes sure your lease is legally registered in case of any issues.
- It’s common in Malta to pre-pay with your rent an amount for utilities before the bill is issued.
- Some agents may ask to pay part of the deposit to reserve an apartment as demand for apartments can be high. This seemed more common in Malta than in Gozo.
Step 9 (Optional): Submit your proof of long-term accommodation and health insurance policy
To finalise approval, submit proof of long-term accommodation and health insurance policy for all applicants within 30 days. Pay for the health insurance upfront for a year, matching your accommodation dates. We used Safetywing, which is normally a monthly subscription. You may need to message Safetywing support to purchase a year of insurance with the correct dates if you cannot do it yourself on the Safetywing website.
Once you submit these final documents, you’ll obtain the letter of final approval after 1 business day.
Step 10: Collect your residence card
Assuming biometrics were provided, collect your residence card(s) 3-4 weeks after.
Congratulations, you’re officially a resident of Malta!
Who is eligible for the Malta digital nomad visa?
To be eligible, you need to:
- Be 18 years and over.
- Have a minimum annual income of 42000 EUR.
- Be able to work remotely and independent of location using the internet.
- Not be from an ineligible country.
- Be employed, self-employed or freelance.
- Valid travel document, such as a passport.
What documents are required for the Malta digital nomad visa?
If applying for the first time, you’ll need to provide the following required documents:
- Letter of intent from the main applicant detailing the motivations for residing in Malta and applying for the Malta Nomad Residence permit.
- Passport.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Last 3 months bank statements.
- Police conduct certificate less than 6 months old: for us Mauritians this document takes a month or more to issue, apostille and courier to us, so we made sure to prioritise it before starting the process to avoid delays.
- Proof of employment/self-employment/freelance status.
You’ll need to provide the documents below depending on your specific situation:
- Marriage certificate.
- De Facto partnership proof.
- Birth certificate.
- Change of name documents.
- Award of custody/guardianship.
- Declaration to engage a representative.
See here for the full list of what is required: https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt/nomad-forms-and-checklists/
Malta digital nomad processing time and timeline
This visa has multiple sets of processing times to be aware:
- Submit documents and pay the processing fees. It takes 60 days to process to get a letter of approval in principle.
- After receiving the letter of approval in principle, provide proof of long-term accommodation and health insurance within 30 days.
- Provide proof of accommodation and health insurance to receive a letter of final approval. The processing time here is 1 working day – we received the final approval on the same day we sent the remaining documents.
- Obtain the residence card after 3 weeks to 4 weeks, once you have letter of final approval and have provided biometrics in person at Residency Malta agency. The residence card is a proof of your residency in Malta. You will likely need it when travelling from Malta to the Schengen area. If you live on Gozo, the residence card will entitle you to a discount on the ferries and allow you to apply for the Tallinja card for free bus transport.
In our experience applying for the Malta digital nomad visa, the process is like clockwork and deadlines are respected on the Residency Malta Agency side.
Important for those with visa-free access to the Schengen area: Having an application in progress does not extend your stay in the Schengen area. So it is important to plan your remaining days in the Schengen area and travel to Malta carefully.
For us, we decided to only enter Malta/Schengen area shortly after the letter of approval in principle was issued, with over 30 days available in the Schengen area.
Malta digital nomad visa cost
The Malta Nomad Residence Permit costs 300 Euro per applicant. So a total of 600 Euros for a couple. Please note the application fees for the Malta digital nomad visa are non-refundable should your application not succeed.
Other costs to be aware that you will probably incur to obtain this visa:
- Health insurance for an entire year to be paid upfront. This could be 1000-2000 USD per year for 2 people via Safetywing.
- Long-term accommodation costs: deposit, agency fees, etc.
Why apply for the Malta digital nomad visa?
Straightforward to apply
The application can be done online without the need for a lawyer. English being an official language of Malta, if you come from a country with English as official language you may not need to have documents translated.
Get an official residence in a EU country
Being based in Malta means you can easily travel to Europe. Air connectivity to the rest of Europe is excellent. However bear in mind the 90/180 day rule will still apply for the Schengen area.
Renewable up to 4 years
You can renew the Malta Nomad Residence permit for a total stay of up to 4 years.
Attractive tax benefits
No personal income tax during the first year and 10% tax thereafter on income derived in Malta, among the lowest in the EU.
Fair cost-of-living in Malta
Fair cost-of living in Malta. Government subsidies help reduce the cost-of-living in Malta. Malta boasts one of the lowest inflation in EU and provides free or affordable public services such as buses, ferries, libraries.
Great weather
The mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters (9 degrees lowest).
Good infrastructure
Easy to get around with public transport, ride-hailing apps and ferries. Internet infrastructure is excellent. Gigabit fibre internet and 5G are readily available, even in rural areas of Malta and Gozo.
English-speaking
Most locals and residents speak English. As a former British colony, Malta has retained English as an official language. You can expect easier integration and easier processing of your country’s documents if you’re also from an English-speaking country.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Malta as a digital nomad?
Here’s a breakdown of typical monthly costs to live as a digital nomad in Malta or Gozo:
- Rent: 1000 EUR to 2500 EUR. Cheaper rents are possible if you share an apartment or if you stay on Gozo or in areas with less demand.
- Utilities: 100 to 200 EUR
- Groceries: 300 EUR if you cook often
- Coffee: 3 EUR for a flat white (specialty coffee) on Gozo, 3.60 EUR on Malta
- Fibre optic internet 1gbps: 41 EUR
- 5G mobile internet 8GB: 20 EUR
Ready to relocate to Malta & Gozo? Watch our video about what you need to know to move there as a digital nomad: Click here
When should I start the application for the Malta digital nomad visa?
If you don’t need a visa to enter the Schengen area, you should start the application at least 2 months (60 days) before the intended start date of your long-term stay. This is because 2 months is the estimated processing time to get the letter of approval in principle. We would recommend to add to this the estimated amount of time you think it would take to find a long-term accommodation (i.e flat-hunting) to calculate when you should arrive in Malta.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Malta?
You’re probably wondering “Do I need to pay taxes in Malta?”. Malta’s tax laws have been updated for the Malta Nomad Residence Permit. This provides clear regulations on tax residency, taxable income, and requirement to file taxes.
In short, there would be no personal income taxes due for the first year under this digital nomad visa if you become tax resident in Malta. Subsequent years are taxed at just 10% per year on all income sourced in Malta (which would likely include your income working in Malta). This would probably be one of more attractive tax rates for a digital nomad visa in the European Union. Do note there may be a need to register for a tax number and to file taxes.
Always consult with a tax professional for your specific tax situation.
Can I open a bank account in Malta under the Malta digital nomad visa?
Yes, you can definitely open electronic money accounts with Wise and Revolut as we have done so. We have not tried opening a local bank account however it looks possible.
Can I bring family under the Malta digital nomad visa?
Yes you can bring family under the Malta Nomad Residence Permit. However, you must make sure to specify the family members who will come with you when you apply. You can only include the following family members in your application:
- Your spouse.
- Minor children of the main applicant and/or spouse.
- Adult children under certain conditions (check the official website FAQs).
Can I bring a pet under the Malta digital nomad visa?
Yes you can bring a pet under the Malta digital nomad visa.
Does the Malta digital nomad visa lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
No, it does not lead to permanent residence, long-term residency or citizenship.
Can I renew the visa?
Yes, you can renew this visa 3 times for a total maximum stay of 4 years. Requirements for renewal:
- Bank statement showing transactions in Malta as proof of having resided in Malta with bank statements: at least 5 months within the previous 12 months.
- Main applicant must still satisfy eligibility requirements.
- Submit the renewal 2-3 months before expiry of current nomad visa: an application in process does not extend the digital nomad visa.
- Other documents required. See full list at Nomad Residency Malta Agency.
Do I need health insurance for the Malta digital nomad visa?
Yes you will need health insurance. Your purchased health insurance needs to cover all applicants, be valid for Malta, be a year long, and match the exact start and end of your digital nomad visa for Malta.
What is the duration of the Malta digital nomad visa?
The duration is 1 year, renewal to a maximum of 4 years.
What is the minimum income for Malta digital nomad visa?
The minimum income is 42000 EUR.
Comparison of Malta digital nomad visa vs other digital nomad visas
Malta digital nomad visa vs Greece digital nomad visa
We have applied for both the Malta digital nomad visa and the 2 year Greece digital nomad visa. Please note the 2 year version of the Greece digital nomad visa has been replaced by the Financially Independent Permit from 2024 onwards.
Requirements
The Greece digital nomad visa has a higher income requirement than the Malta digital nomad visa at 50400 EUR for a couple. The Malta digital nomad visa only requires 42000 EUR.
Application costs
As applicants for the Greece digital nomad visa, we paid 2187 EUR to submit our application for the Greece digital nomad visa. This includes getting a Greek tax identification number (AFM) as well as lawyer fees, health insurance and application fees. In comparison the Malta digital nomad visa cost us only 600 EUR. While you could do the application yourself, we recommend to hire a lawyer to translate documents to Greek, navigate the Greek bureaucracy, and submit the application on your behalf.
Application process and processing times
Unlike the Malta digital nomad visa, you can start the application for the digital nomad visa (the 2 year version) once in Greece so you can always try Greece and then decide if you want to stay longer. That being said, processing times for the visa can be long (often more than 6 months), during which time you might find yourself “locked in”. That means you may be unable to travel to the Schengen area as your residence permit will not be official yet. On the positive side, you will be officially allowed to stay in Greece until the permit is issued. The Greece digital nomad visa therefore would probably be a good fit if you don’t mind being based in Greece for an extended period of time. Not to worry, there is still a lot to visit in Greece with its 6000 islands as well as mountainous regions.
Location flexibility
The Malta digital nomad visa requires more advance planning, however it can be cheaper from a costs perspective as you can apply for it yourself. The process is well-defined and required documents can be in English. Both the Greece digital nomad visa and Malta digital nomad visa require proof of long-term accommodation. You can move to another address, but you will need to notify authorities in both cases, which could be impractical if you want to “nomad” within Malta or Greece.
Malta digital nomad visa vs Barbados digital nomad visa
As successful applicants of both the Malta digital nomad visa and Barbados digital nomad visa, we can explain the key differences between the two.
Requirements
The Barbados digital nomad visa has a higher minimum income requirement (50000 USD vs 42000 EUR/approx. 44000 USD). This makes sense as Barbados can be a much more expensive destination than Malta in terms of cost of living.
Application costs
In terms of cost, the Barbados digital nomad visa costs 3000 USD/year for a family and 2000 USD/year for an individual whereas the Malta digital nomad visa would cost 600 EUR (approx 630 USD) for a couple and 300 EUR for an individual per year. This is a big difference, but we believe it’s also a way to filter out applicants to the Barbados digital nomad visa who do not meet the income requirement.
For the Barbados digital nomad visa, you will only pay the application fees if your application is successful. However with the Malta digital nomad visa, the application fees are non-refundable even if your application is not successful.
Application process and processing times
The Barbados digital nomad visa (known officially as the Barbados Welcome Stamp) is easier to obtain in terms of the documentation and process. Less documents are required. For example, the income requirement does not need to be proved through several documents and is a simple declaration on the Barbados digital nomad visa application form.
In terms of process, the Barbados digital nomad visa is processed online, same as the Malta digital nomad visa, but much faster, with approval/rejection within 7 business days, unlike 60 (+30) business days for the Malta digital nomad visa.
The documentation required for the Barbados digital nomad visa is more straightforward to obtain: we were able to apply online without requesting additional/updated documents from our home country.
Location flexibility
While being more expensive, the Barbados digital nomad visa is not tied to a permanent address/long-term lease. This means you have more flexibility to move within Barbados. For us, we ended up moving within our nomad visa, to Saint Philip, Christchurch, and Saint Peter. You can also move within the Malta digital nomad visa, however you must notify Residency Malta Agency and submit documentation.
Tax
In terms of taxes, you will not be liable to pay Barbados income tax. This is intended to prevent double taxation.
Under the Malta digital nomad visa, you would be liable to pay tax as from your second year.
Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Renewal
The Malta digital nomad visa can be renewed for a maximum of three years while the Barbados digital nomad visa can be renewed indefinitely. As far as we know the Barbados digital nomad visa will exist until Dec 31, 2026 at least.
Conclusion: how to apply for the Malta digital nomad visa
We hope this article answers all your questions about how to apply for the Malta digital nomad visa as well as provide comparisons to some other popular digital nomad visas.
