Short answer: Under Malta’s Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), parents and grandparents may be included where they are principally dependent. A spouse and children under 18 usually attract no extra administration fee; other qualifying adult dependants (including unmarried dependent children aged 18 to under 29, and dependent parents/grandparents) generally add EUR 7,500 each. Property may be a purchase from EUR 375,000 or a lease from EUR 14,000 per year, plus a EUR 37,000 government contribution, EUR 60,000 main administration fee and a EUR 2,000 NGO donation.
Who can be a dependant?
| Category | Typical conditions | Extra admin fee |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or equivalent | As defined in the rules | Usually none |
| Children under 18 | Including adopted | Usually none |
| Unmarried children 18 to under 29 | Principally dependent | Generally EUR 7,500 each |
| Parents or grandparents | Not in full-time employment and principally dependent | Generally EUR 7,500 each |
| Qualifying adult children with disability | As certified | Per rules |
“Principally dependent” is substantive: parents with significant assets or independent income may be refused even if they live with you. Prepare support evidence—not relationship alone.
Main government-side costs
| Item | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant administration | EUR 60,000 |
| Government contribution | EUR 37,000 (same buy or rent) |
| NGO donation | EUR 2,000 |
| Adult dependant administration | EUR 7,500 each (spouse and minors excepted) |
| Purchase threshold | From EUR 375,000, held about five years |
| Annual rent threshold | From EUR 14,000, maintained about five years |
Capital/asset tests and due diligence also apply. Budget legal, translation, insurance and relocation on top.
Versus Greece and Portugal on parents
Greece and Portugal golden visas can also include dependent parents under their rules, with different property/fund floors, residence character and citizenship timelines. MPRP’s features include grandparents in scope, a permanent-residence orientation, and buy-or-rent property options. Three-generation families should cost only those who truly meet dependency—not assume four generations auto-approve.
Global Immigrate note
Pre-screen dependency before choosing buy versus rent. Tighter budgets may favour the lease path, but five-year rent totals and lifestyle must be modelled together. Malta’s travel logic differs from core Schengen golden-visa routes—assess mobility separately.
Information current as of October 2026.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. See Malta permanent residence.