Startup Residence Programme

The Malta Startup Residence Programme (MSRP) enables third-country national entrepreneurs to obtain residence in Malta while establishing and operating innovative startups. Launched in October 2022 as part of the "Start in Malta" initiative, the programme is jointly administered by the Residency Malta Agency and Malta Enterprise. It targets founders, co-founders, and core employees of innovative startups and scale-ups, providing access to the EU single market and Malta's startup support ecosystem.

• Third-country national (non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss) aged 18 or older
• Founder, co-founder, or core employee of a qualifying innovative startup
• Startup must be incorporated in Malta with minimum €25,000 in tangible investment and/or paid-up share capital
• Additional €10,000 per co-founder if more than four apply (maximum six co-founders)
• Core employees must hold a full-time contract with minimum salary of €30,000
• Startup must not have been registered globally for the preceding 7 years
• Must not have previously distributed profits or been formed through a merger/acquisition
• Clean criminal record with no pending charges
• Sufficient financial resources to support yourself and dependants
• Health insurance covering Malta is mandatory
• Must maintain physical presence exceeding 183 days per 365-day period in Malta
• Nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, DR Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela are ineligible

• Advanced manufacturing
• Software development
• Industrial services analogous to manufacturing
• Health, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences
• Eco/sustainable/green industries
• Other innovative economic activities enabled through knowledge and technology

The startup must satisfy at least two of three innovation criteria: products/services with potential to generate income from various geographical markets, products/services that are new or substantially improved, or processes that are new or substantially improved.

• Detailed business plan
• Valid passport
• Personal bank statements demonstrating sufficient financial resources
• Health insurance policy
• Clean criminal record certificate
• Proof of no previous rejection of residence or citizenship applications

The initial residence permit is valid for 3 years. Founders and co-founders may extend for an additional 5 years, while core employees may extend for 3 additional years. Further indefinite extensions are possible thereafter. Renewal requires confirmation from Malta Enterprise and the Residency Malta Agency that the startup is still operational and eligibility criteria are met.

Spouse and children of founders, co-founders, and core employees may be included. Each adult dependant pays the €750 programme fee and €82.50 residence card fee. Family members of founders and co-founders receive permits extendable for 5 additional years beyond the initial 3-year period; family members of core employees receive permits extendable for 3 additional years.

Applicants first contact Malta Enterprise to discuss their project and register on the Malta Enterprise Client Portal. A detailed business plan is submitted for assessment based on degree of innovation, market potential, and viability. Upon approval of the business plan, the applicant submits a residence permit application to the Residency Malta Agency. After both agencies approve, the applicant proceeds with company incorporation in Malta (typically 3-5 days), registration with tax and employment authorities, and biometric collection for the residence card. Programme fees are €750 per adult applicant plus €82.50 for residence card issuance.