Guides / Visas
Malta's Nomad Residence Permit: The 10% Tax Rate Explained
10 min read · Last checked July 2026
Malta's Nomad Residence Permit combines two things few nomad visas offer together: English as an official language (zero language barrier for admin or daily life) and one of the more genuinely favorable tax deals in Europe — a full first-year exemption followed by a flat 10% rate, not a reduced-but-still-progressive scale.
Who Qualifies
- Non-EU/EEA citizens performing remote work for employers or clients based outside Malta
- Gross monthly income of at least ~€3,500 (updated from a previous €2,700 threshold to track Malta's rising cost of living)
- An additional ~20% of Malta's median wage in income for each dependent, if relocating with family
- Health insurance and proof of accommodation in Malta
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Bank statements covering the last 3 months
- Tax returns or tax payment certificates from your home country
- Employment or service contract detailing your role and salary
- Payslips from the last 3 months
- Health insurance valid in Malta
The Tax Deal, Explained
- First 12 months as a tax resident: full exemption from Maltese income tax on authorized work income
- After the exemption period: flat 10% Maltese income tax rate on authorized work income
- 'Authorized work' means remote work for foreign employers or clients — income from Maltese sources doesn't qualify for this rate
- Since you're not employed locally, you generally don't pay Maltese social security contributions either
Malta's Tax and Customs Authority issued updated guidance in January 2026 clarifying registration and reporting procedures for Nomad Permit holders — if you're applying now, check for the current version of this guidance rather than relying on older summaries.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Confirm your gross monthly income clears the ~€3,500 threshold (plus 20% of median wage per dependent, if applicable).
- Gather 3 months of bank statements and payslips, plus your home-country tax documentation.
- Purchase health insurance valid in Malta.
- Secure proof of accommodation in Malta.
- Apply through Residency Malta's Nomad Residence Permit portal.
- Once approved and resident, register with the Malta Tax and Customs Authority to apply the exemption/10% tax treatment correctly.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming the flat 10% rate applies from day one — it only kicks in after the first 12-month exemption period
- Not distinguishing 'authorized work' income from other income when filing — only remote foreign-client income qualifies for the special rate
- Underestimating Sliema/St Julian's rent, which runs well above the rest of Malta
Official Resources
Visa requirements change — this guide reflects our research as of July 2026. Confirm current figures with Residency Malta or a Maltese tax advisor before applying.