Prospective applicants in terms of these rules must obtain an EU registration certificate prior to apply for the Malta Retirement Programme. Beneficiaries include the applicant, his dependents and special carers who are providing a curative or rehabilitation service to the beneficiary or his dependants for at least 3 years prior to submission of an application for the Malta Retirement Programme. The service of a special carer has to be regulated by a contract of employment from the competent authorities and the individual has to be registered with the Inland Revenue Department.
A beneficiary is an individual who proves to the Commissioner that:
- He holds a qualifying property;
- He is not a person who benefits under the Residents Scheme Regulations, the High Net Worth Individuals - EU /EEA / Swiss Nationals Rules, the High Net Worth Individuals -Non-EU / EEA / Swiss Nationals Rules or the Highly Qualified Persons Rules;
- He is neither a Maltese national nor a third-country national;
- He is in receipt of a pension, as supported by documentary evidence, all of which is received in Malta and constitutes at least 75% of the beneficiary’s chargeable income;
- He is in possession of a valid travel document;
- He is in possession of sickness insurance in respect of all risks across the whole of the European Union normally covered for Maltese nationals for himself and his dependents; He is not domiciled in Malta and that he does not, within five years from the date of application, intend to establish his domicile in Malta; and
- He is a fit and proper person.
Minimum Property Requirements
Prospective applicants must own a “qualifying owned property" meaning an immovable property purchased after 1 January 2011 at a consideration of not less than:
- €275,000 for a property situated in Malta; or
- €250,000 for a property situated in Gozo or in the south of Malta;
- €220,000 for a property situated in Gozo or in the south of Malta if purchased on or after 1st July 2013
In the case of an immovable property purchased before 1st January 2011 for a consideration which is less than the amounts indicated above, shall be considered to be" qualifying owned property" insofar as the value of such immovable property as declared on the date of application by the applicant is not less than the amounts indicated above as supported by a separate and independent architect valuation, including architect’s plan, which documents are delivered to the Commissioner upon application. The Commissioner shall have full and free access to the qualifying property by an officer, architect or surveyor authorised by him in writing, in order to assist him in determining the value of the said property.
A "qualifying rented property" means a leased property taken on at a lease of not less than:
- €9,600 per annum for a property situated in Malta; or
- €8,750 per annum for a property situated in Gozo or in the south of Malta
Tax Treatment and Minimum Tax Requirement
The rate of 15% shall apply on any income arising outside Malta which is received in Malta by the beneficiary or dependent, with the possibility to claim relief of double taxation.
The minimum amount of tax payable in terms of these rules in respect of any year of assessment shall be seven thousand and five hundred euro (€7,500) in respect of the beneficiary and five hundred euro (€500) per year of assessment for every dependent and every special carer. Such minimum tax is payable in full in both the year when the special tax status was granted and in the year when the individual ceases to posses the said special tax status.
The minimum tax shall be payable before the 30th of April. Such payment shall be accompanied by a return made to the Commissioner that provides proof that all conditions and requirements have been satisfied. Such return is not required in the year in which the special tax status is granted. In the case where the special tax status is granted after 30th April, the minimum tax shall be paid before the special tax status is granted. Any tax paid shall not be refundable.
Income of a beneficiary or dependent that is not chargeable to tax under these rules at shall be charged to tax as separate income at the rate of thirty-five cents (0.35) on every euro.
Cessation of Special Tax Status
An individual shall, with effect from the appointed day, cease to possess special tax status under these rules if:
- At any time, after the appointed day, such individual does not hold a qualifying property;
- The individual becomes a Maltese national or a third country national;
- The individual fails to receive in Malta all the pension;
- After the appointed day, the individual is not in possession of sickness insurance in respect of all risks normally covered for Maltese nationals for himself and dependents;
- The individual establishes his domicile in Malta;
- The individual acquires a permanent residence certificate in terms of article 7 of the Free Movement of European Union Nationals and their Family Members Order;
- The individual’s stay is not in the public interest;
- The individual resides in Malta for less than 90 days a year averaged over any 5 year period;
- The individual stays in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days in a calendar year.
An individual, who ceases to possess special tax status for any of the above mentioned reasons, shall notify the Commissioner of such event by not later than four weeks from the date when he becomes aware of such event. This notification is to be made on such form as may be required by the Commissioner. Where such notification is not made within the time specified, the person responsible for such event shall be charged an administrative penalty of €5,000.
An individual shall, with immediate effect, cease to possess special tax status from the relative year of assessment under these rules if he notifies the Commissioner of his intention not to remain in possession of special tax status on such form as the Commissioner may require. If the beneficiary is in breach of the Act and, or of the Income Tax Management Act, that individual shall, with effect from the beginning of the relative year of assessment, cease to possess special tax status under these rules.
Application Fee and Authorised Registered Mandatory (ARM) Requirement
An administrative fee of €2,500 is payable to the Commissioner upon application. We are registered and approved by the local tax authorities to act as an Authorised Registered Mandatory (ARM).