An important update sits at the centre of this comparison. Spain closed its golden visa to new applicants in April 2025, while Malta's Permanent Residence Programme remains open.
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.
Spain stopped accepting new golden visa applications on 3 April 2025, so the Spanish route is closed to new investors. Malta's Permanent Residence Programme remains open and is run by the Residency Malta Agency. We keep this comparison so the current position is clear and so older figures are not relied on.
Spain's golden visa is closed, so no current entry figure applies to new applicants; those who already hold the permit keep and renew it under the prior rules. Malta's programme is built around several components, including a qualifying property, a government contribution, an administrative fee, and a charitable donation. The qualifying property is a purchase from 375,000 euros or a rental from 14,000 euros a year, held for at least five years.
Reported figures for the contribution and administrative fee apply in addition. Confirm all current amounts with the Residency Malta Agency.
Malta applications are processed by the Residency Malta Agency, with timelines that vary by case. Spain is closed to new applicants, so only renewals continue there. Confirm current processing with each authority.
Malta's Permanent Residence Programme grants permanent residence, not citizenship, and does not by itself lead to a Maltese passport. Spain's golden visa gave residence that could count toward naturalisation, but it is closed to new applicants. Both are or were Schengen residence.
With Spain closed, investors comparing the two are in practice looking at Malta or at other open EU routes. Malta suits those who want stable EU permanent residence through a structure combining property and a government contribution.
| Item | Spain (legacy golden visa) | Malta Permanent Residence Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025 | Open |
| Main route | Was real estate (historic) | Property plus government contribution |
| Indicative cost | Closed to new applicants | Property 375,000 euros to buy or 14,000 euros a year to rent, plus government contribution, administrative fee and charitable donation |
| Outcome | Residence, existing holders only | Permanent residence |
| Authority | Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration | Residency Malta Agency |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Residency Malta Agency (Malta); the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. Spain stopped accepting new golden visa applications on 3 April 2025. Only existing holders continue, under the prior rules.
No. It grants permanent residence and does not by itself lead to a Maltese passport.
They keep their residence and can renew under the rules that applied before the closure. Confirm your status with the authority.
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.
The rules for this route changed recently. Confirm the current position with current guidance before you act.
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