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| Field | 🇲🇹MaltaMalta Startup Residence Programme: Founder Visa Requirements for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Country | Malta (MT) |
| Route | Malta Startup Residence Programme: Founder Visa Requirements for 2026 |
| Route family | Startup / founder |
| Route type | startup |
| Summary | Current 2026 guide to Malta's Startup Residence Programme for innovative founders and core employees, including the €25,000 investment/capital test, Malta Enterprise approval, duration, fees, family and long-term residence. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-15 |
| Official/supporting source count | 5 |
| Route guide | Open full guide → |
| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3Source 4Source 5 |
| Best-fit work models | Startup founder, Business owner, Local employmentSource 1Source 2Source 3Source 4Source 5 |
| Income requirement | No personal minimum income threshold is stated for founders; qualifying core employees must have a full-time contract and gross annual salary of at least €30,000.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Savings requirement | The company must demonstrate at least €25,000 in tangible investment and/or paid-up share capital, increased by €10,000 for each co-founder beyond four (maximum six co-founders).As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Investment requirement | At least €25,000 company-level tangible investment and/or paid-up share capital for up to four founders, with €10,000 additional per fifth/sixth co-founder; startup must meet age, innovation and Malta Enterprise business-plan criteria.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Government fees | The programme guide lists €750 per adult applicant/dependant for the initial three-year application, card charges (including €82.50 initially), and Jobsplus licence fees; applicable charges vary by applicant and stage.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Processing time | The programme materials do not state a universal guaranteed processing deadline; Malta Enterprise business-plan assessment, due diligence and licensing affect timing.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Validity | Founders/co-founders receive three years initially with a possible further five-year extension after successful programme completion; qualifying core employees generally receive three years with a possible three-year renewal.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Renewal | Founders may seek a five-year extension after the initial three years subject to successful completion and continuing compliance; core employees may renew for a further three years subject to qualification.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Family inclusion | Qualifying spouse/partner and dependent children may be included under programme family criteria; the guidance encourages family inclusion in the initial application and later additions are more restricted.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Spouse work rights | Dependants do not automatically receive Malta labour-market access; a spouse seeking employment must obtain the appropriate separate authorisation.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Local-work rules | The route authorises founders/co-founders and approved core employees to work within the qualifying Maltese startup framework, subject to programme conditions and required Jobsplus licensing; it is not unrestricted employment permission.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Application location | Submit through the Startup Residence Programme administered jointly by Residency Malta Agency and Malta Enterprise; the business plan is assessed by Malta Enterprise and residence/licensing steps follow the programme instructions.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Permanent-residence pathway | A qualifying beneficiary may apply for long-term residence after five years, subject to separate Identità requirements; this is not an automatic outcome.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Citizenship pathway | The programme does not guarantee citizenship; ordinary residence-based naturalisation is separate, requires statutory residence and other conditions, and remains discretionary.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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