Both routes give residence in a European Union country, but they work differently. Italy asks for a single qualifying investment, while Malta blends an asset test, property and government payments into a permanent residence status.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Italy's Investor Visa, run by the Investor Visa for Italy Committee at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, grants a renewable residence permit in return for one qualifying investment or donation. The routes are EUR 250,000 in an Italian innovative startup, EUR 500,000 in an Italian limited company, a donation of EUR 1,000,000 to a project of public interest, or EUR 2,000,000 in Italian government bonds.
Malta's Permanent Residence Programme, administered by the Residency Malta Agency, grants a permanent residence status that does not expire. It combines an asset threshold, a qualifying property held by purchase or rent, a government contribution and an administration fee, and a mandatory philanthropic donation.
For Italy the main cost is the chosen qualifying investment from EUR 250,000 to EUR 2,000,000, with the donation route the only option that is not recoverable, plus consular and residence permit charges. For Malta the applicant must show assets from EUR 500,000, with part held in liquid funds, and must either buy property from EUR 375,000 or rent from EUR 14,000 per year, held for a minimum period. Malta also requires a government contribution and administration fee, which depend on whether you buy or rent, and a EUR 2,000 donation. Confirm the current contribution and fee amounts with the Residency Malta Agency.
Italy's committee aims to assess the certificate of no impediment, the Nulla Osta, within thirty days, after which you apply for the entry visa at a consulate and convert it to a residence permit in Italy. Malta requires the contribution, donation and property steps to be completed within a set window after approval in principle, and overall processing usually runs over several months. Confirm current timing with each authority, since published targets are not guarantees.
Both Italy and Malta are European Union member states. Italy's Investor Visa is a residence permit, and Italian citizenship has generally required ten years of lawful residence with further conditions. Malta's Permanent Residence Programme is a residence status that supports Schengen short stays of up to ninety days in any one hundred and eighty day period. It is not a passport and does not by itself lead to citizenship. Confirm the current rules with each authority.
Italy may suit someone who wants a single qualifying investment, including a lower startup option, and is working toward eventual citizenship through residence. Malta may suit someone who wants a permanent residence status that does not expire, is comfortable combining an asset test with property and government payments, and values Schengen short stay access. Confirm all current rules with the official authority and a licensed professional.
| Item | Italy Investor Visa | Malta Permanent Residence Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Status for new applicants | Open | Open |
| Outcome | Renewable residence permit | Permanent residence that does not expire |
| Headline route | Investment from EUR 250,000 to EUR 2,000,000 by route | Assets from EUR 500,000, plus property and government payments |
| Property requirement | None, real estate does not qualify | Buy from EUR 375,000 or rent from EUR 14,000 per year, plus a EUR 2,000 donation |
| Path to citizenship | Generally after ten years of residence, subject to conditions | Not a citizenship route on its own |
| Official authority | Investor Visa for Italy Committee | Residency Malta Agency |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Investor Visa for Italy Committee, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and the Residency Malta Agency publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Malta's Permanent Residence Programme grants a status that does not expire, while Italy's Investor Visa is a renewable residence permit. Confirm the current conditions with each authority.
No. Real estate does not qualify for the Italy Investor Visa. Property is part of the Malta programme, not the Italian one.
Not on its own. It is a residence status that supports Schengen short stays. Confirm the current rules with the Residency Malta Agency.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
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