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Buy Property in Malta

Malta is a popular destination for international property buyers to buy property for Malta Residence, as a Holiday home or as a Buy-to-Let property. The recommended areas for property purchase in Malta are Special Designated Areas (SDA's), where there are no restrictions on foreign buyers, and these Developments offer luxury lifestyle, including pools, gyms, and beachfront locations. 

Foreign investors can apply for Malta Permanent Residence (Malta Golden Visa) or Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment. To be eligible for Malta immigration as a High Net Worth Individual from a non-EU country, Investors can rent or purchase a property for a minimum of 320,000 Euros, and they can include their family members and dependents.  Contact our Malta Consultants and Lawyers by telephone, video call or at the offices in Parramatta, Sydney, Australia and Singapore, Hong Kong and London, UK.

Why Buy Property in Malta?

See below the reasons to buy property in Malta:

1. Property Prices are Increasing in 2024 - During the year to Q2 2024, the nationwide property price index rose by a modest 3.38% (1.17% inflation-adjusted), following year-on-year increases of 6.72% in Q1 2024, 7.54% in Q4 2023, 6.82% in Q3 2024, 8.3% in Q2 2023, and 10.51% in Q1 2023, based on figures from the Central Bank of Malta. When adjusted for inflation, property prices were up only slightly by 1.17% over the same period.

2. High Economic Growth - The Maltese economy maintains its growth momentum on the back of strong domestic demand and export performance. Tourism arrivals to Malta continue to grow, while the strong employment and recovering real wages are supporting consumption. After achieving 5.0% GDP growth in 2024, the Maltese economy is set to continue expanding at 4.3% in 2025 and 2026. The government deficit is set to decline to 4.0% of GDP in 2024 and is expected to decrease further in 2025 and 2026, remaining above 3% over the forecast horizon.

3. Business Investments in Malta - In 2025, Malta seeks foreign direct investment (FDI) to increase its rate of economic growth. Malta provides incentives to attract investment in high-tech manufacturing (including plastics, precision engineering, electronic components, automotive components, and health technologies such as pharmaceuticals manufacturing and biotechnology), information and communications technology (ICT), research and development (R&D), clean and renewable energy technology, aerospace, aviation maintenance and drones.

4. Safe Investment - "In recent years, various factors contributed to the attractiveness of property investment such as an increase in disposable income; the influx of foreign workers which increased demand for property and a growth in tourism which led to a strong demand for private accommodation," said the European Mortgage Federation (EMF) in its 2024 Hypostat report. "The Malta Citizenship by Investment scheme, which allows foreigners to acquire Maltese citizenship, subject to certain conditions, also played a role in generating demand for local properties."

5. Low Stamp Duty - As of January 1, 2024, the stamp duty rate for property purchases in Gozo is 5%, the same as in Malta. This is an increase from the previous reduced rate of 2%. The reduced rate was first announced in 2018 to encourage more economic activity in Gozo. 

6. EU Country - Malta has been an EU member country since 1 January 2008, and uses the Euro currency. It is also a member of the Schengen Area since December 2007.

7. Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment - The new Maltese Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment commenced in September 2020 with the intention to encourage and stimulate investment in Malta property.

Malta Locations for Buying Property

Malta is only 316 sq. kilometres in area, and the top locations for buying property in Malta are in 6 regions:

  • The 'Harbour'
  • Valletta - the capital city
  • The 'Central' region
  • The 'South' region
  • The 'North' region
  • The island of Gozo

The Harbour

The Harbour zone is extremely popular with expats, with a large presence of international companies. Sliema is known for its rocky beaches, water sports, and panoramic views of Valletta. St. Julian's is next to Sliema, and has a thriving nightlife, tourism, luxurious hotels and ethnic restaurants. For relaxation, visitors walk along the promenade to Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay, with its impeccable Balluta Buildings, built on the art nouveau style. Famous sites in St Julian's include the tallest building in Malta, Portomaso tower at 98 metres, and Spinola Palace. The Harbour region includes the following cities:

  • Sliema
  • St. Julian's
  • Gzira

Valletta - Capital City of Malta

Valletta is famous for its stunning architecture, and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourist attractions include Parliament buildings, National Museum of Archaeology, Grand Master's Palace, Upper Barrakka Gardens and City Gate. The grid of narrow streets boasts some of Europe's finest art works, palaces, churches, grandmaster auberges, piazzas and museums. The warm Mediterranean city is busy by day yet retains a timeless atmosphere by night through the stunning architecture that surrounds you. The Valletta region includes the following cities:

  • Valletta
  • Floriana
  • Pieta

Central region of Malta

Birkirkara is the largest, oldest and most heavily populated city in the centre of Malta with 25,775 inhabitants in an area of 2.7 km. Tourists like to visit The Old Railway Station, a memory from Malta's railway past, with a public garden around it. Today most of Birkirkara is modern but the town still retains its traditional Maltese characteristics of narrow streets and alleys. The city's older part is separated from the newer part by a small garden. Popular tourist sites include St Helen's Church, Ta' Ganu Windmill, and the Aqueduct. The Central region includes the following cities:

  • Birkirkara
  • Mosta
  • Attard
  • Lija

South region

Malta's Airport is situated in the South region. The main town is Marsascala, which is an ancient fishing village, with a picturesque bay, located in the southeast corner of the island. Marsascala's bay has a promenade continuing all the way to St Thomas Bay with views of low shelving rocks, colourful fishing boats and saltpans. The town of Marsaxlokk has a small sandy beach on the east side, and stunning St. Peter's Pool at Delimara is 20 min away by foot. St. Paul's bay is excellent for diving, snorkelling and cliff jumping down into the natural pool. The South region includes the following cities:

  • Marsaskala
  • Marsaxlokk
  • Birzebugga

Malta's North region

Mellieha is popular with expats, comprising an abundance of holiday homes and villas, with a quieter atmosphere than in Bugibba/Qawra. There are some wonderful beaches here, too, not only in Mellieha but also nearby in Ghan Truffieha and Armier Bay. The town of Qawra has a rocky coastline and beautiful sea views and is part of the resort of St Paul's Bay to the north of Malta. Historical attractions include: Qawra Tower located at Qawra Point. Moreover, Qawra's long promenade extends from the Qawra Palace Hotel hugging the craggy coastline for 2km all the way into the heart of Bugibba and beyond. The North region includes the following cities:

  • Buggiba
  • Qawra
  • Mellieha

Gozo Island

The capital of Gozo is Victoria (Rabat), where the Citadel can be found. The charm of Malta's sister Island is immediately apparent; it's greener, more rural and smaller, with life's rhythms dictated by the seasons, fishing and agriculture. The island boasts numerous historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas, plus one of the archipelago's best-preserved prehistoric temples, gantija Temple. Other tourist sites on Gozo include: Azure Window, Ramla Bay (one of Gozo's best beaches), Our Lady of Ta Pinu Basilica, The Citadel and Dwejra Tower. Gozo island region includes::

  • Victoria
  • Gharb
  • Marsalforn

Steps To Buy Property in Malta

1. Find a Property - Select an Immovable Property and negotiate the price.

2. Preliminary Agreement (Konvenju) - Sign the Preliminary Agreement, known as 'Konvenju'. This is an agreement binding both the purchaser and the vendor to enforce the transaction within an established date (term of Konvenju) subject to the terms and conditions. 

The Preliminary Agreement is usually valid for three months and after the signing (but before entering into a final deed of sale). The buyer would need to enagage a Notary to carry out the necessary searches into the property to confirm everything is in order before proceeding. At this stage, 1% of the 5% total stamp duty fee is payable to the Inland Revenue and a 10% deposit is paid by the buyer. The remaining 4% of the stamp duty will be paid with the publication of the final deed.

In addition, note that the 1% of stamp duty will be refunded if the final deal fails to materialize and that the deposit agreed on during the signing of the Preliminary Agreement will be handed over to the seller if the buyer does not sign the final deed without a valid reason at law.

The following terms must be agreed before the Preliminary Agreement is signed:

  • Price
  • Ground Rent
  • Features included in the price
  • Payment terms
  • Works to be undertaken by the owner
  • Terms of Preliminary Agreement / Promise of Sale

3. Provisional Stamp Duty - After signing the Kovenju, you must pay 1% provisional stamp duty as part payment of the full 5%, and the balance is due on signing of the final deed. If you are purchasing your first immovable property, the stamp duty on the first is removed as a concession and calculated at 5% on the remaining balance of the property.

4. Deposit - Pay an agreed deposit on the property, which is usually 10%.

5. Verify Legal Title - The Notary Public carries out the mandatory searches to verify legal title and to ensure that there are no outstanding debts, hypothecs or liens on the property Purchaser is to complete all the special requirements e.g. organise bank loan, check on building permits, etc. as agreed upon with seller and stipulated in the konvenju.

6. Bank Account - Arrange meeting with a Malta Bank and open a bank account.

7. Sign the Final Deed - The final deed is read and agreed upon and the balances due will be paid accordingly. The balance payments are: balance of the selling price to the vendor; the balance due to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for stamp duty as well as 1% Notary fees to the Notary Public.

Malta MPRP Eligibility - Malta Permanent Residence Programme

To be eligible for the MPRP, applicants should meet the following requirements:

  • be third country nationals, non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss
  • not hail from sanctioned countries, as announced from time to time by the Agency
  • not benefit under other pertinent regulations and schemes
  • be in receipt of stable and regular financial resources, sufficient to maintain themselves and their dependants, without recourse to the social assistance system of Malta
  • show they have capital assets of not less than €500,000, out of which a minimum of €150,000 must be financial assets
  • be fit-and-proper individuals and have a clean criminal record
  • not pose any potential threat to the national security, public policy, public health or public interest.

Residence (MPRP) and Citizenship of Malta

Find out about Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP) to become a Malta Permanent Resident or Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services to become a citizen of Malta, eligibility criteria, and how our Immigration Consultants can assist you: