Malta · Investment residence
Malta permanent residence: eligibility for adult children and parents
Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme allows qualifying relatives to join a family application. For adult children, parents and grandparents, the relevant evidence extends beyond the relationship itself to age, marital status, employment and financial dependence.
Each family member needs an individual basis for eligibility
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) regulations define the relatives who may be included. Alongside spouses and minor children, they provide for qualifying adult children and the parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse. A separate provision covers adult children with a qualifying disability.1
Two households of the same size can therefore present different applications. A couple with two minor children needs to establish different facts from a couple applying with an adult child and a parent. Headcount is useful for a budget; eligibility depends on the people behind it.
The adult-child category has three connected conditions
The ordinary category requires a child to be over 18 but not yet 29 at application, unmarried, and principally dependent on the main applicant to the Agency’s satisfaction. The regulations use “less than eighteen” and “over eighteen” for the respective categories; an exact age-18 case should be clarified through the Licensed Agent.1
A child within the age range still needs to demonstrate dependence. For an unmarried 27-year-old, for example, education, employment and the source of living expenses help explain the relevant circumstances. Study records establish education, while expenditure and family support provide a fuller financial account.
That account should include the child’s own income and assets as well as tuition, housing and other costs met by the family. Consistent records explain the relationship more clearly than a general statement that the child remains dependent.
A parent’s pension needs to be considered in context
The parent and grandparent category requires the person not to be in full-time employment and to be principally dependent on the main applicant.1 Civil-status documents establish the relationship; financial records explain how the person is supported.
A pension alone does not determine the outcome. The assessment needs to consider what that income covers, who pays housing and medical costs, and the support provided by the main applicant. The published test should not be replaced with an assumed minimum transfer or percentage.
Where relatives live in different countries, currencies, expenses and transfers should form a coherent record. Evidence should describe the existing relationship, rather than rely solely on payments made shortly before submission.
The family group sets the basis of the budget
The Agency currently lists an additional €7,500 charge for each adult dependant other than the spouse. Housing, contributions, other administrative charges and residence-card fees require separate consideration.2
A budget prepared for a couple with two minor children cannot be carried over unchanged to a family including an adult child or parent. Equally, paying an additional charge does not establish that the person meets the eligibility test.
Personal circumstances should be current at submission
A birthday, new job, marriage or change in parental support may occur while documents are being prepared. Submission timing is particularly relevant for a child approaching an age limit.
MPRP applications must be handled through a Licensed Agent.12 A complete and accurate account of the family gives the agent a sound basis for confirming categories, certification and translation requirements before the application is lodged.
Government sources and legislation
This article provides general information. Before applying, check the current rules, fees and procedures against your individual circumstances.