Everything you need to know about the Digital Nomad Residency for Malta

A new Digital Nomad Residency has been launched for people who want to move to Malta but work remotely.

The programme offers a six-month visa and an option of obtaining a one-year ‘Nomad Residence Permit’ and costs €300.

To qualify for the Digital Nomad Residency, applicants must prove they are contracted to work remotely by a company based overseas, show that they run their own business or offer freelance service to clientele based abroad. 

If you are the owner of a company conducting business activity, a remote worker, or you are a freelancer offering consulting services to international clients, the doors of the Maltese islands are open for so-called digital nomads.

What will we discuss on the consultation call?

Whatever you need help with! After booking in a call you will receive a questionnaire where you can fill in questions you’d like answered. On the call itself, we dig deeper to make sure everything is covered, even for subjects you might not have thought of.

Is this right for me?

If you’re planning on moving or visiting Malta. And don’t want to deal with logistics and all the headaches that come with travelling. Then yes this call will be beneficial for you.

Why Malta?

If you like:

• Sun
• Golden beaches
• Great all year round weather (average of 27 degrees celsius)
• Sapphire blue water
• Culture influenced from all over Europe and the Mediterranean
• Beautiful architecture
• A booming expat and digital nomad community
• Affordable living for housing, food and logistics

Then Malta would be a great option for you, but feel free to book a consultation call to discuss further.

What is Nomad Visa Malta?

Nomad Visa Malta is two things:

1. Consulting to help people (in particular nomads) who want to visit or settle in Malta. Administration with getting the nomad visa, logistics, housing and whatever else might come up.

2. The largest community of expats and nomads in Malta which you can become a part of. This was created to combat “loneliness” and a lack of community for expats and nomads. 

Who can apply for the Digital Nomad Residency?

Applicants must prove they can work remotely, the digital nomad residency recognizes the already buzzing European digital nomads in Malta and wishes to now attract third country nationals from around the world. So if you’re from outside the EU, this is for You!

1. Third Country Nationals i.e Non-Eu Citizens
2. Remote Workers & Digital Nomads
3. You earn at least €2,700 per month (gross tax)

The 3 types of people who can apply for the Nomad Residency Permit for Malta

1. You are an employee whose work contract allows remote work from another country
2. You are a business partner or shareholder in a company which is registered outside of Malta (Foreign company)
3. You are a freelancer / consultant with clients that you provide services for in a foreign country

The residence permit is issued for one year and can be renewed (at the discretion of the authorities). If the applicant wishes to stay in Malta for less than one year, then a national visa will be issued for a period of 91 to 180 days, depending on the intention of the length of stay.

What requirements are there for the Nomad Residency Visa?

The requirements for your application are just as you would expect for most Residency and Visa applications. You require proof of your identity and personal details to meet the criteria we mentioned previously.

Additionally the following are needed with your application:

1. hold a valid travel document i.e Passport
2. Health insurance from a local insurance company or an international insurance company
3. You must have a property agreement (Lease or purchase agreement)
4. Pass a standard background check

How long does the application process for the Malta Nomad Residence Permit take?

Once your application is submitted to the Residency Malta Agency, a decision will be communicated within 30 days.

Checklist for your Application to the Malta Nomad Residency

Step 1 – Fill in the form for your Application

1. Form for your application – fully completed (typewritten) and signed by applicant.
2. Form for General data protection regulations (GDPR) – fully completed (typewritten) and signed by applicant.

Step 2 – Write a letter of intent

• Letter of Intent – a signed and dated declaration by the Main Applicant clearly stating the motivations for moving to Malta and the intention of applying for the Nomad Residence Permit. The Letter should also include the list of documentation which will be submitted at application stage to
  support the application.

Step 3 – Gather your personal and professional documents

1. International Passport – copy of all pages, including blank.
   
2. Employment contract and official tax documentation (if applicable) in case of employment – clearly showing obligations to the employer or company and clearly stating that work duties may be performed independent of location by means of the internet or otherwise.
   
3. Documentary evidence of all business owned in part or whole – certificate of incorporation; memorandum and articles of association; share register; register of directors. Depending on the jurisdiction, documents can, at times, be titled in a different manner but would still hold jurisdictional equivalence. When this occurs, a declaration is required stipulating such differences in titles.
   
4. Europass CV – a description of study and professional life course, signed by the Applicant.
   
5. Bank Statement – Bank statement of the account in the name of Main Applicant from which funds for the fee for this application are being remitted, showing main source of income in the past 3 months. This could include your salary, dividends, director fees, rental income, interest from
   investments, shares, assets, etc.
   
6. Local/international health insurance policy – Comprehensive health-insurance policy, showing all aspects being covered, which supports the applicant and all beneficiaries in the eventuality of requiring any type of medical assistance or hospitalisation during the whole period of stay in Malta. If any of the beneficiaries travels within the Schengen Area, they are requested to apply for a separate travel insurance covering their stay.
   
7. Health declaration – a signed and dated declaration by the Main Applicant stating that he/she will provide and pay for any expense not covered by the health insurance policy for himself/herself and each additional family member.

Step 4 – Rent or Purchase a property in Malta

• Lease Agreement/Purchase Agreement – clearly showing the name of the applicant and the
  duration of lease.

Step 5 – Submit Application with the above documentation

Your approval will be granted within 30 days.

Digital Nomad Residency permit for Family & dependents

Application Form N2 (where applicable) – fully completed (typewritten) and signed by applicant.

To qualify for Family or dependents. This includes your children & long-term partners. Long term partners can be straight or gay marriages. Both are recognized by law. In the case that you are not married but have been co-habituating for many years, provided you have evidence, you may also be eligible.

FAQS for Families

Is home schooling allowed ?
Home schooling is allowed. Children may also be sent to public or private school. (at a cost)

To be able to legally work, will my partner need to obtain her/his own Digital Nomad visa as well?

Dependents on the nomad visa must abide by the same rules as the partner. I.e Income must be earned & taxed abroad. Should the spouse wish to work for a local company, they must apply for a separate Visa.

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Need personal assistance with this permit?

We crafted this post to be as detailed as possible, but sometimes questions still arise because everyone’s situation is different. If you’d like personalized guidance based on your situation, we can help.

Save yourself the time and uncertainty of trying to navigate the ever-changing rules for living in Malta by scheduling a private chat with me, Luca Arrigo, the creator of Nomads Malta.

I’ve lived in Malta for 20 years (before the country entered the EU), opened and operated 3 companies, applied for residence permits for Non-EU citizens. I am well-versed in what it takes to make Malta your home, which obstacles to look out for and how to make as seamless a transition as possible.

During our chat, I will answer all of your questions about Malta. You can tap into my expertise on anything you want; whether it be residency, citizenship, healthcare, buying property, letting accommodation, operating a business, what it’s like to live here, personal experiences with bureaucracy or cultural nuance. It’s all tailored to you.

To complete the package, I follow up after your session with additional information, links to relevant resources and contact information for local experts personally vetted by me like lawyers, real estate agents, tax advisors, accountants and translators. All recommendations and resources will be specifically curated based on your individual needs discussed in the session. Book Consultation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1: What is the duration of a Digital Nomad Residence Permit?

A Nomad Residence Permit will be issued for one year and can be renewed upon application at the discretion of Residency Malta Agency, if the applicant still meets the set eligibility criteria.

Applicants who are interested in staying for less than a year will be issued with a National Visa valid 91 days – 180 days, depending on the intention of their duration of stay.

Q2: What is the difference between a Single Work Permit and a Digital Nomad Residence Permit?

The Single Work Permit authorises third-country nationals to legally reside and take up employment in Malta for a defined period, which may be further renewed at the discretion of Identity Malta Agency, as per Subsidiary Legislation 217.17 of the Laws of Malta – Single Application Procedure

for a Single Permit as regards Residence and Work and a Common Set of Rights for those Third-Country Workers legally residing in Malta Regulations.

On the other hand, the Nomad Residence Permit enables holders to retain their current employment based in another country whilst legally residing in Malta. This may also be renewed at the discretion of Residency Malta Agency, as long as the applicant still meets the set eligibility criteria.

Q3: How should one apply for a Nomad Residence Permit?

An applicant who would like to apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit is to submit an application with scanned copies of all supporting documentation stipulated on the checklist published by Residency Malta Agency, including a letter of intent explaining the motivations for the desire to obtain a Nomad Residence permit. The letter of intent should also clearly state the intention of the duration of stay, specifying whether it is between 91 days – 180 days, or 181 days – 365 days. Applications should be sent to Residency Malta Agency via email on nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt.

Applicants who intend to spend up to 180 days in Malta will be issued with a National Visa while those who intend to spend up to 365 days or more will be issued with a Residence Permit.

Q4: How does one enter Malta?

To facilitate the process, third country nationals who require a Visa to enter Malta, may apply for a Premium Visa offered by Identity Malta Agency. Other third country nationals who do not require a Visa may proceed to Malta as per regulations stipulated by Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code).

Q5: What happens after getting an approval from Residency Malta Agency?

Depending on the country of issuance of the applicant’s passport, one should follow one of the two below processes:

1. To facilitate the process, third country nationals who require a Visa to enter Malta, as per regulations stipulated by Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing the Community Code on Visas (Visa Code), may apply for a Premium Visa offered by Identity Malta Agency. Successful applicants may be issued with a National Visa valid for 90 days – 180 days, depending on their intention of duration of stay. By means of the National Visa, the applicant may enter and reside in Malta for the duration of the Visa issued.

2. On the other hand, third country nationals who do not require a Visa to enter Malta may proceed to Malta immediately after receiving an approval letter by Residency Malta Agency, following guidelines on the mentioned approval letter and as instructed by Central Visa Unit at Identity Malta Agency. A National Visa of 90 days – 180 days may be issued depending on the applicant’s intention of duration of stay.

Should applicant decide to prolong his stay further than the duration of the Visa issued, he/she may finalize the process of application for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit by submitting in person his/her biometric features and documentation as stipulated by Checklist issued by Identity Malta Agency. This should be done in person at the Residency Malta Agency’s offices.

Q6: Can holders of Nomad Residence Permits bring their family members?

Family members will also be considered. An applicant’s spouse, minor children, and adult children unable to cope independently due to a medical condition or disability and also those who are economically dependent on the main applicant may apply for a Permit under the same conditions as the Digital Nomad Residence Permit holder together with the main applicant. Decisions on spousal Visas/Permits will be made on a case by case basis. Malta recognises same sex unions so same sex partners can apply for a permit to accompany the main applicant.

Q7: Is it possible to add family members at a later stage?

Yes, this is possible by applying for each additional family member, containing the following documentation:

1. full copy of valid international passport;

2. copy of Nomad Visa/Residence Permit already issued to the main applicant;

3. marriage certificate (where applicable);

4. birth certificate (where applicable);

5. affidavit of dependency (where applicable);

6. award of custody/guardianship (where applicable);

7. local/international (Malta cover) health-insurance policy;

8. health declaration;

9. administrative fee of €300 for each additional family member.

Q8: How long will it take for an application to be processed?

Application processing is expected to take up to 30 days following receipt of all required documentation.

Q.9 How much is the application fee?

The application fee is EUR 300 for main applicant and EUR 300 for each dependant on the application. Fees are not refundable and exclude visa related fees.

Q10: Will one be notified if the application is successful?

Applicants will be notified with the outcome of the application by email on the same email address from which the application has been submitted.

Q11: Where can one get more information and support regarding an application?

Further information may be found on the Residency Malta Agency website or by contacting Residency Malta Agency by email on nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt.

Q12: What are the tax obligations of a Nomad Residence Permit holder?

Nomad Residence Permit holders will not be subject to personal income tax since their employment is already taxed at origin. Nonetheless, they will be subject to consumption tax like all other residents.

Self-employed individuals offering their services to companies registered and based in Malta would need to pay taxes in Malta and apply for a residence permit based on their self-employment. Further guidance with regards to tax obligations may be sought from the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue on servizz@gov.mt. Information with regards to an application for a residence permit on the basis of self-employment in Malta may be raised with Identity Malta Agency on enquiries@identitymalta.com.

Q13: Is a Nomad Residence Permit holder entitled to free health care?

A Nomad Residence Permit is a temporary basis for stay and the permit holder is not entitled to free health care. However adequate cover of medical expenses can be guaranteed through the required health insurance policy. If any of the beneficiaries travels within the Schengen Area, they are requested to apply for a separate travel insurance covering their stay.

Q14: Is a Digital Nomad Residence Permit holder entitled to collect a pension in Malta?

The pension is collected by the Nomad Residence Permit holder in the country where their social tax is paid.

Q15: Does a Nomad Residence Permit holder need to register his/her employment?

Only in cases where the permit holder is employed with or giving services to any Maltese company, in which case permit holders are required to register their employment/self-employment with Jobsplus. This is not the case for Digital Nomad Residence Permit/Visa holders. Further information regarding registration of employment/self- employment may be obtained by contacting Jobsplus on jobsplus@gov.mt.

Q16: Should I notify Residency Malta Agency in case of a change in address or any other change to the application?

Any changes to the application are to be communicated to Residency Malta Agency within one week by submitting Form N3, together with a copy of the new purchase/rental agreement against payment of EUR 27.50. Failure to do so may entail the revocation of the residence permit.

Q17: What should one do in case of a lost/stolen/damaged card?

In case of a lost or stolen card, the applicant is to submit Form N3 together with a local Police Report within three working days, against payment of EUR 27.50. In case of a damaged card, the applicant is to also submit Form N3, against same payment.

Q18: Do Covid negative results need to be presented for successful applicants to enter Malta?

Prior to travelling ensure to consult with national guidelines for high-risk countries updated from

time to time. Information may be found on https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/health-promotion/covid-19/Pages/travel-to.aspx

Q19: Is it possible to renew a Nomad Residence Permit?

A Digital Nomad Residence Permit holder may apply for renewal of the permit not later than one month prior to the expiry of the existing permit against a fee of EUR 300 per applicant.

Q20: Can pets travel to Malta with the applicant? 

To be explored further – it’s a possibility

Q21: Can nomads make use of a Maltese company? 

A holder of a Nomad Residence Permit cannot offer services to Maltese companies. In that case individuals are asked to change the type of permit according to the new purpose. Should the digital nomad become more acquainted with the Maltese legal & business environment, the nomad may decide to set up a Maltese company for their operations. This would require changes to their residency & tax away from the Nomad Residency Permit.

ENDS

Last updated: ^16th June 2021

NOMAD RESIDENCE PERMIT