In recent years, the Maltese government has tightened its residency policies for foreigners to ensure national security and social order, placing many applicants in a dilemma. A new regulation introduced by the Identity and Citizenship Agency (Identità) has sparked significant controversy.
The central aspect of the new rule requires all third-country nationals (non-EU citizens) applying for residency in Malta to present a lease agreement that has been formally certified by a notary, lawyer, or legal representative. While this requirement may seem straightforward, it has left many applicants feeling overwhelmed, as it impacts not only work visa seekers but also those applying for investment migration programs such as the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP).
Previously, residency applications only required a lease registered with the Housing Authority in Malta. Adding a certification step has undoubtedly increased the application burden. Furthermore, with Malta’s booming real estate market and the prevalence of short-term rental options, many foreigners often rent temporary accommodations where landlords may be unwilling to pay notary fees for long-term contracts.
In addition to lease certification, Identità also mandates applicants to provide financial documents such as bank statements and salary proof to demonstrate they possess sufficient and lawful economic resources to cover living expenses in Malta. Some applicants are concerned that this may infringe upon their privacy. Identità has clarified that these stringent regulations aim to prevent fraud and ensure fair application processing. Earlier, it was revealed that around 18,000 individuals were issued identity cards based on falsified documents, drawing widespread public attention. Thus, enhancing scrutiny has become imperative.
However, some legal organizations have expressed reservations about the new regulations. Both the Malta Chamber of Notaries and the Chamber of Advocates noted that reliably verifying the authenticity of leases poses significant challenges. They argued that without clear responsibility and compensation mechanisms, they cannot bear the risk of certification alone and suggested that their members pause compliance with the new rules. In response to these legal concerns, Identità has implemented a temporary “grace period” during which applicants can initially submit non-certified leases while awaiting further coordination with legal bodies to adapt to the new requirements. This grace period aims to minimize the immediate impact on residency applications, although the exact duration of this period remains unspecified.
In summary, the new regulations reflect the Maltese government’s necessity to combat fraud and ensure orderly immigration processing. However, the rigid, one-size-fits-all approach has created inconveniences for many ordinary foreign applicants who have no intention of committing fraud, complicating the application process and likely prolonging review times.
This series of new regulations signals a significant tightening of Malta’s stance towards third-country immigration. As a small island nation heavily reliant on foreign populations, Malta had previously maintained relatively lenient policies to attract investment migrants and foreign workers. However, recent exposures of fraud cases have compelled authorities to enhance preventive measures. Therefore, we anticipate that the Maltese government will continue to maintain a stringent immigration policy, raising the bar for investment migration programs and work permit applications. In addition to existing requirements for lease notarization and financial scrutiny, further regulations, such as mandatory skills training for laborers, may be introduced, increasing the costs of residency applications.
Given its small size of just 389 square kilometers compared to other EU countries, Malta is particularly vigilant against illegal immigration. Any relaxation of controls could pose significant risks to social order and employment conditions. For foreigners intending to migrate to Malta through investment or work, it is advisable to prepare for higher thresholds and to pursue legal avenues actively to avoid rejection or stagnation. Additionally, staying informed through the Malta Chinese Network will be essential, as updates on government developments and new regulations will be provided promptly.
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