Malta has two tax-related programmes: the Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) and the Global Residence Programme (GRP). New rules for the GRP and MRP apply from 1st January 2027.
Through Legal Notice 195 of 2026 (the Individual Tax Programme Rules, 2026), Malta has introduced significant amendments to both programmes. They apply to applications submitted from 1st January 2027, not before.
The preferential 15% tax rate remains unchanged. Future applicants will, however, face higher minimum tax obligations, increased property thresholds, revised application fees and a new five-year validity and renewal framework.
What changes from 1st January 2027
The list below compares applications received until 31 December 2026 with applications submitted from 1st January 2027.
- Tax rate: 15% in both periods (unchanged).
- Minimum annual tax, GRP: €15,000 until 31 December 2026; €35,000 from 1st January 2027.
- Minimum annual tax, MRP: €7,500 plus €500 per dependant until 31 December 2026; €15,000 from 1st January 2027.
- Property purchase: €220,000 (Gozo or South Malta) or €275,000 (rest of Malta) until 31 December 2026; €700,000 from 1st January 2027.
- Property rental: €8,750 per year (Gozo or South Malta) or €9,600 per year (rest of Malta) until 31 December 2026; €14,000 per year from 1st January 2027.
- Application fee: €6,000 (GRP) or €2,500 (MRP) until 31 December 2026; €8,500 from 1st January 2027.
- Validity of special tax status: ongoing, subject to compliance, until 31 December 2026; five years, renewable, from 1st January 2027.
- Renewal fee: not applicable until 31 December 2026; €2,500 for each renewal from 1st January 2027.
The Global Residence Programme (GRP)
The GRP remains available to qualifying third-country nationals. The 15% rate is unchanged, but new applicants will be subject to the same enhanced requirements, including the €35,000 minimum annual tax.
The Malta Retirement Programme (MRP)
The MRP remains one of Malta’s most attractive solutions for qualifying retirees. The preferential 15% rate stays intact. New beneficiaries will, however, be subject to a minimum annual tax of €15,000 and the revised property criteria.
Five-year validity and renewal
Once the Commissioner confirms that an applicant qualifies, a written decision granting special tax status is issued. The status remains valid for five years, unless it is withdrawn because the eligibility conditions are no longer satisfied.
After the initial period, beneficiaries may renew for further five-year periods. This requires the prescribed application form, any supporting documentation requested and a non-refundable administrative fee of €2,500. The Commissioner should not refuse a renewal request without reasonable justification.
Transitional protection until 31 December 2031
Any special tax status granted on or before 31 December 2026, as well as any application received by that date, remains valid until 31 December 2031. This means that:
- existing beneficiaries retain protection until 31 December 2031;
- applications received by 31 December 2026 benefit from the transitional provisions, even if the approval is issued after that date;
- applications submitted from 1st January 2027 onwards are subject to the new framework.
Three typical situations
- Existing beneficiary. A beneficiary approved under the GRP in 2025 continues to benefit from the transitional arrangements until 31 December 2031, provided all programme conditions continue to be satisfied.
- Pending applicant. A complete application received before 31 December 2026 but approved during 2027 may still fall within the transitional provisions, because it was received before the statutory deadline.
- New applicant from 1st January 2027. The applicant is subject to the new framework. For the GRP this means a €35,000 minimum annual tax, a €700,000 property purchase or €14,000 annual rent, an €8,500 application fee and the five-year renewal framework.
Speak to the immVest team
If you are considering the Global Residence Programme or the Malta Retirement Programme, we are happy to explain how these changes apply to your situation. Read more about the Global Residence Programme and the Malta Retirement Programme, or contact us directly.
