Residency Malta Agency is the official management body for the popular Mediterranean island’s residency-by-investment programme. Offering access to Malta’s real estate market, permanent residency for up to four generations from day one of approval, and visa-free travel across the Schengen area, it’s an ideal solution for investors seeking to secure the future of their families. Residency Malta Agency CEO Charles Mizzi explains why Malta is such an attractive destination, the unique features of Malta’s Permanent Residency Programme, and the new schemes recently introduced by the agency for digital nomads and start-up businesses.

World Finance: Charles, I’m sure many viewers will be aware of Malta’s attractions as a holiday destination; but beyond that, what attracts people to become residents?

Charles Mizzi: Yes, Malta is a fantastic destination. We have a wonderful climate with 300 days of sunshine; our outdoor life is fantastic, the nightlife is second-to-none, and our cuisine is top-notch.
We are very well connected, with daily flights to the major airports. Communication is also very easy, because we are an English-speaking nation.

But when looking for somewhere to live, people think about the future of their families. They want to make sure that they give a better education to their children, and they have the comfort in knowing that they are in a country that has one of the top five healthcare services in the world.

People also look for safety and security; and Malta offers all of this.

Of course, they are also thinking about their business. We have a pro-business climate, and government offers full support to entrepreneurs.

• World Finance: You offer a permanent residency programme; what benefits does it offer, and what makes it unique?Charles Mizzi: So as I said, people are often thinking about their families, which are at the heart of our programme.

  The MPRP is also one of the few that offers residency from day one. You also get access to the real estate market, by buying or leasing a home. In fact, the MPRP is one of the few that gives the opportunity to lease: it gives you the chance to discover the island.

  And of course as a resident of Malta, you will be entitled to visa-free travel across the Schengen area: for 90 days every 180 days.

  World Finance: So I need to either lease or buy a property; what other requirements are there for the scheme?

Charles Mizzi: Apart from acquiring a property, you make additional contributions dependent on the property you opt for.

One must also make financial contribution which goes to the government’s consolidated fund.

On top of that, you make a donation to a registered NGO.

We also require residents to have health insurance that offers cover in Malta.

And finally we capture biometric data to issue the residence card.