Why Invest?

Whether you are interested in Malta as an investment location or a trading partner, the business case in favour of Malta is clear. Malta has a track record in the production of a surprisingly diverse range of quality products and services that are exported globally to some of the world’s most demanding and sophisticated markets.

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Market Report

We forecast that the property prices of Malta will rise by more than any other EU country. The ongoing and future prospects for Malta’s property market are very positive certainly. Malta ultimately offers a very secure environment for a real estate buyer looking to make a decent income and see a steady increase in the value of his property benefit.

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Economic Overview

Malta has recently privatised some state-controlled firms and liberalised markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union, which it joined on May 1, 2004. Malta and Tunisia are currently discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for petroleum exploration. The Maltese government entered ERM II in May 2005, and is intending to adopt the euro as the country's currency on 1 January 2008.

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Visa/Residency Issues

Passport with minimum validity of six months required. Visa not required for stay of up to 90 days (extension must be applied for prior to end of 90-day period or expiration of original visa while in Malta), except for the residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands need a visa. Visa requires 1 application form, 2 photos, proof of onward/return ticket, and $40 fee (check or money order). Transit visa available for $30 fee (fees are non-refundable).

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Getting to Malta

An approximate flight time to Valletta from London is 3 hours. No visa is required for entry by EU and American citizens.

Fees & Taxes

• Duty on document or Transfer tax 5% of the value of the property.
• Legal Fees between 1% - 1.5%.
• Ministry of Finance fee Lm100 on application for an Acquisition of Immovable Property Permit (A.I.P Permit). This is applicable only for non-residents.

Malta

Basic Information

Malta Overview

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small and densely populated island nation consisting of an archipelago of seven islands in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Malta lies directly south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya. The country's official languages are Maltese and English. Roman Catholicism is the most practised religion. The islands constituting the Maltese nation have been ruled by various powers and fought over for centuries. Malta has been a member state of the European Union since 2004 and it is currently the smallest EU country both in population and in area.

Average Property Prices

• One-bedroom apartment.... £140,000
• Two-bedroom apartment..... £210,000
• Three-bedroom villa............. £335,000
• Four-bedroom villa............... £419,000

Buying Process

• The method of property purchase is simple. On finding the right property and agreeing on a price a preliminary agreement (convenium) is signed, binding the vendor to sell and the purchaser to buy the property at the agreed price within a stipulated time and under other terms agreed upon by the parties to the agreement.
• The agreement must be subject to the acquisition of the A.I.P. permit (in the case of non-residents).
• It is the practice that 10% of the purchase price is paid on the convenium either by way of deposit or earnest as agreed between the parties.
• The preliminary agreement is normally but not necessarily for a period of three months during which period the Notary Public nominated by the purchaser carries out searches to ascertain the validity of the title.
• On the expiration of the agreed period if all the conditions of the preliminary agreement are satisfied, a final deed of sale will be entered between the parties to the agreement and full ownership is attained.