Malta Startup Residence
Malta
Residency
Could you qualify?
Answer a few quick questions to see which global citizenship and residency pathways fit your background. It's free, and takes just a few minutes.
See if you're a match →This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Malta. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough funding or support, and approval through the country's startup process.
- Type
- Entrepreneur residence
- Business fit
- Founders building a qualifying business in Malta
- Core requirements
- Business plan, funding, and official approval where required
- What to know
- Approval can depend on official judgment or program space
Summary
The Malta Startup Residence Programme is for non-EU founders, co-founders, and core employees of innovative startups approved by Malta Enterprise and Residency Malta. It is a targeted innovation route, not a general small-business visa.
The startup must fit eligible activities such as software, manufacturing, industrial services, health, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, sustainability, or other knowledge-and-technology-enabled innovation.
Eligibility
- Third-country national, excluding EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals.
- Founder, co-founder, or core employee with specialized skills.
- Eligible startup activity approved by Malta Enterprise and Residency Malta.
- Startup incorporated and operating in Malta before residence cards are collected.
- Clean criminal record, health insurance, and fit-and-proper profile.
- Family members may be included under programme rules.
What This Route Allows
This route can allow you to live in Malta through the qualifying investment, business, or self-employment basis described above. The proof package should be concrete before filing: accepted investment or business activity, lawful source-of-funds records, corporate, property, or bank documents where relevant, background checks, and the government forms for this pathway.
What This Route Is Not
This is not just a business idea on paper. Entrepreneur and self-employment routes usually require a credible plan, real activity, funds, qualifications, or official endorsement.
Next Steps
- Confirm the project fits Malta's eligible startup sectors.
- Prepare the business plan and founder or core-employee evidence.
- Submit the startup application to Malta Enterprise.
- Coordinate the residence application through Residency Malta.
- Incorporate and register the Maltese startup before final card issuance.