A Golden Visa is an immigration scheme offering investors and their families the opportunity to become residents of a specific country in exchange for a subsequential economic investment. In Europe, several countries offer this visa option to non-European citizens such as Portugal, Spain, Malta, and Cyprus. Portugal, for example, has one of the world’s most successful Golden Visa programs, and since 2012, 9,015 investors and 15,431 family members have benefited from the Portugal Golden Visa.
These immigration schemes are very successful and offer several investment routes at different prices. Whether you are looking to invest in real estate, government bonds, new businesses, or private equity funds among others, there are plenty of options available for your budget.

An individual shall be eligible to apply for a Malta Golden Visa on satisfying the following conditions:

• The applicant is a non-EU/EEA national
• The applicant is at least eighteen years of age
• The applicant must provide a clean police conduct
• The applicant must provide evidence that he/she holds an annual income of at least €100,000 or holds capital of at least €500,000
• The applicant and his/her dependents must be in possession of a European Health Insurance policy. 

Apart from satisfying the above eligibility requirements, the applicant must also invest in Malta by satisfying these 3 requirements:

• Contribution: Once an applicant is approved for the Malta Golden Visa, he/she must pay €30,000 to the Government of Malta (less the non-refundable fee of €5,500 payable upon submission of the application). An additional €5,000 application fee is payable to the Government per each parent added to the application.
• Property: An applicant must also buy or rent a property in Malta or in Gozo/South Malta. In terms of the Malta Golden Visa regulations, a qualifying property is an immovable property which is purchased for a minimum value of €320,000 if situated in Malta or €270,000 if situated in Gozo/South Malta. Alternatively an applicant may also rent a property for a minimum value of €12,000 if situated in Malta or €10,000 if situated in Gozo/South Malta.
• Investment: An applicant must also make a qualifying investment in the form determined by Identity Malta holding a minimum value of €250,000.

• Right to reside, settle and stay indefinitely in Malta
• Maltese Residence Card allows its holder free travel within 26 members of the Schengen Area
• Malta is a member of the European Union since 2004 and part of Schengen since 2007
• Malta is a neutral, safe and stable country having a European lifestyle but with a Mediterranean quality of life

Family eligibility includes:

• Spouse or partner in a long and durable relationship of the Main applicant
• Child or adopted child of the Main applicant or his spouse below the age of 18

Economically dependent and unmarried children of the Main applicant or of the spouse/partner.

The regulations prescribe that applications are to be made via a lawyer licenced as a residency agent.  The processing fee of €5,500 is payable on account of the final contribution of €30,000, the balance of which is due only on approval.