Why Register with us?

By registering with us you will maximise your exposure to properties on our books or which may come on to the market in the future.  We have made registrations as simple and seamless as possible.  By integratingour service with the main social providers youcan now log in using your favourite social website credentials. You do not need to fill in any forms, but simple authorise your own provider to log you in.  typically this can be achieved in just two clicks to register, and just one click to log in after that.  Furthermore, if you use the same email address with other providers, e.g. facebooks and Gmail, then you can switch between them as you prefer. 

To take advantage of our services there are several approaches to consider which we list below: 

Subscribe to our Property Watch

By completing the property watch you are informing our system which types of property you are interested, in your buget and other details. Whenever a property is listed which matches your criterial you will receive an email with a relevant link to theproperty.  This service does not register you as a user on our system, although we recommend that you do so separately.

Register as a user on our website 

By registering as a user on our system you can avail yourself of a more personalised web service.  This includes the ability to:

Create your own Property Shortlists

You can mark properties of particular interest by adding them to your shortlist. You can then access this shortlist any time you log onto the website.  You need to log in for this service.   You can easily add and remove properties.  Sometimes couples or partners find this useful as they can refer each other to the same list if sharing the login details. Itcan also be used to simply monitor what happens to a property you were interested in. 

Creating a Property Wanted Listing

Should you be searching for a particular property and either it is not available on our site,or you have already exhausted the options available as unsuitable.  This public listing enables owners to reply with properties which match your requirements, creating a more interactive online process.

Join our Mailing List

This is a separe generic list you can optionally subscribe to. You can unsubscribe any time by clicking on the provided unsubscribe button on emails or via the website. 

Just Email Us

Not keen on registering?  Simply contact us directly by email or using one of our forms, which do the same thing.  

General Buying Procedure

Once a property has been selected and we have negotiated a price agreement, along with any special conditions, between you and the seller, an appointment is set to sign the Preliminary Agreement or what is commonly known as the 'Konvenju' or 'Convenium' or'Promise of Sale'.   This is essentially an agreement binding both the purchaser and the vendor to conclude the transaction within an established date (term of Konvenju) subject to a set of conditions.  A Notary is appointed by verbal agreement between the two parties, and a sale agreement is drawn up. This should include any conditions of sale by either party.   

On agreement to th terms of contract and signing of the 'Konvenju' you will be required to pay 1% provisional stamp duty as part payment of the full 5% which the balance is due on signing of the final deed and an agreed deposit which is generally 10% in such circumstances. It is advisable therefore to ensure that you have the necessary funds lodged directly with the Notary's client account in Malta, some days prior to the signing of the Konvenju.  Failure to do this may jeapordise or delay the signing. 

During the 'Term of Konvenju':

• The Notary Public carries out the necessary searches to verify legal title and to ensure that there are no outstanding debts, hypothecs or liens on the property.  These 'searches' should not be confused with searches carried out during property sales in the UK and other countries, which may be more extensive. 
• If an AIP (Application for Immovable Property Permit) is required, then the Notary will make the application on your behalf.  Typically this takes between 2-4 months, which is often the reason for preliminary agreement terms with non-Maltese citizens being set for a minimum 3 months in duration. 
• The Vendor will complete all special requirements e.g. complete any outstanding works, as agreed with buyer and/or as specifically stipulated in the konvenju.
• The Purchaser should complete all the special requirements e.g. organise any bank loan, check on building permits, etc. as agreed upon with seller and stipulated in the konvenju. 

During this entire period we are always available to guide and assist in any queries, concerns or issues the client or the vendor may have in relation to completing the contract. We have very good relationships with all the leading banks on the island and can also assist you in setting up meetings with the bank of your choice. 

Once all the above requirements have been completed by all parties concerned, a date is set for the actual signing of the Final Deed.  This can also be before the end of the 'Term of Konvenju' if both parties agree.  The contract signing will usually take place at the office of the Notary Public or at a venue jointly agreed by the buyer and seller.  If a bank loan is involved to secure the property, then the signing will take place at the relevant Bank's premises.

The final deed is read and agreed upon and the balances due will be paid accordingly. Theses are; balance of the selling price to the vendor; the balance due to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for stamp duty as well as 1% Notary fees to the Notary Public.  The keys to the property are then handed over and you become the new owner of the property. The Notary public registers the contract with the Public Registry.

EU Residents including Maltese

Citizens of all European Union member states, including therefore Maltese Citizens, who have resided in Malta continuously for a minimum period of five years at any time preceding the date of acquisition may freely acquire immovable property without the necessity of obtaining a permit under Chapter 246 of the Laws of Malta.

Primary residence

Citizens of all European Union member states, including therefore Maltese Citizens, who have not resided continuously in Malta for a minimum period of five years may only purchase their primary residence or any immovable property required for their business activities or supply of services without the necessity of obtaining a permit under Chapter 246 of the Laws of Malta.

Secondary residence

Citizens of all European Union member states, including therefore Maltese Citizens, who have not resided continuously in Malta for a minimum period of five years, require a permit under Chapter 246 of the Laws of Malta to acquire immovable property for secondary residence purposes.

If an EU citizen takes up residency under the "Permanent Residency" (PR) scheme, then it is subject to minimum limits. Permanent Residency is explained in a separate tab on this page. There is also a link to the relevant conditions at the bottom of this page.

Non-EU Resident  Or Second home

Blue denotes EU Zone MembersIndividuals who are not citizens of a European Member state may not acquire any immovable property unless they are granted a permit in terms of Chapter 246 of the Laws of Malta.

There are defined zones in Malta, referred to as special designated areas (see separate tab), where there are absolutely no restrictions to acquisition. There is also no restriction on acquisition through inheritance and there are also several other special exemptions.  Different rules apply to the acquisition by bodies of persons.

If you are from outside the European Union or if you are a Citizen of a European Union however the property you are purchasing is not for a prime residence in order to purchase a property in Malta there is a minimum price that one must pay for an apartment as well as for a house or a villa to be able to obtain an AIP (Acquisition of Immovable Property) permit which is granted by the Ministry of Finance and usually takes some 6-8 weeks. These prices are €169, 205 (Lm72, 640), for a house or villa and €101, 551 (Lm43, 596) for flats or maisonettes.

Acquisition by Bodies of Persons

A body of persons, other than a commercial partnership, established in and operating from an European Union member state may freely acquire immovable property that is required for the purpose for which it has been set up as long as it is directly controlled by citizens of a European Union member state.

A commercial partnership established in and operating from an European Union member state (therefore including Malta) may freely acquire immovable property that is required for the purpose for which it has been set up and at least 75% of its share capital is held by a person (or persons) who is a European Union Member state citizen.

Any other body of persons will require a permit which is only granted if the property is required for an industrial or touristic project or as a contributor to the development of the economy of Malta.

Malta Permanent Residence Scheme

This attractive scheme which granted high net worth individuals a permanent resident status in Malta was suspended in December of 2010. It attracted retirees who looked for a jurisdiction which is tax friendly, enjoys a high standard of living, provides a safe environment and enjoys a warm climate. Under this scheme, individuals who wished to take up residence in Malta were granted a Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) under the Malta’s immigration law.

A consultation process is underway to replace the above scheme with a number of new schemes aimed at different nationalities and specific sectors, mainly;

• The High Net Worth Individual Scheme, which will specifically apply to EU, Swiss and EEA (European Economic Area) citizens
• Scheme applicable to non-EU nationals providing them with freedom of movement and EU residence status
• The Global Mobile Permanent Scheme, which will apply to non-EU citizens for four years and is non-renewable. It entitles foreigners working in North Africa on a three- year contract to bring their families to Malta.
• A scheme giving Schengen Area benefits
• A scheme that will incentivise artists, singers and professionals, both EU and Non-EU citizens.

Ordinary Residence Scheme

Ordinary Residence is another attractive scheme for those individuals who wish to transfer their tax residence to lower tax jurisdictions such as Malta.

Unlike, the old permanent residence scheme, ordinary residence is intended for persons wishing to take up residence in Malta and physically live in Malta and possibly obtaining a work permit to enable them to work in Malta.

Benefits and Conditions of the scheme

1.  Ordinary resident individuals are allowed to take employment or do business in Malta
2.  There is a minimum stay requirement of 6 months per calendar year
3.  There is no minimum tax liability
   1. Individuals who are tax resident in Malta under such scheme are subject to tax only on income received in Malta and foreign income remitted and kept in Malta
   2. Taxable income is subject to the normal progressive tax rates applicable to resident  individuals
4.  There are no minimum investment requirements
5.  There are no inheritance or wealth taxes

Source: Courtesy M.Meilak & Associates

Highly Qualified Persons Rules 2011

A Low Tax-Regime for Expatriates Working in Malta  

As a result of the significant need for highly qualified persons mainly due to the expansion in the financial services industry in Malta, new regulations have come into force entitling expatriates who come to work in Malta a low flat rate of 15% instead of the progressive rates applicable to individuals which go up to 35%. Such regulations attract foreign highly qualified individuals to occupy eligible offices in Malta.

Beneficiary

In order to benefit from the low tax rate, the individual must not be domiciled in Malta and:

• derive  income from employment  under a qualifying contract of employment (as defined hereunder )where the work is carried out in Malta or else outside Malta in connection with such work
• is protected as an employee under Maltese law and has the required adequate and specific competence
• correctly declares for tax purposes the income received from the qualifying contract of employment
• performs activities of an eligible  office as listed hereunder
• is in possession of professional qualifications
• is in receipt of stable and regular resources , sufficient to maintain himself and his family
• resides in a place deemed as normal for a similar family in Malta and which meets the general Maltese health and safety standards
• is in possession of a valid travel document and of sickness insurance covering himself and the members of his family
• has not benefited under the Investment Services and Insurance Expatriate Scheme

Qualifying contract of employment

Withdrawal of the scheme

Any rights under this scheme can be withdrawn with immediate effect if the beneficiary is a third-country national and he either physically stays in Malta in the aggregate for more than 4 years, or directly or indirectly acquires real rights over immovable property in Malta or holds directly or indirectly a beneficial interest, consisting in, inter-alia, of real rights over immovable property situated in Malta.

Tax Incentives for Individuals

Double Taxation Relief

Individuals can benefit from three types of relief from double taxation, being treaty relief, unilateral relief and commonwealth relief as described above.

Inward Expatriates

Expatriates are taxed on income arising in Malta, including remuneration for services performed in Malta, and on income arising abroad which is received or remitted to Malta.

When a tax treaty is in force, the provisions of the treaty will apply. Employees who are resident in a country with which Malta doesn’t have a tax treaty, are liable to tax in Malta on income received on work done in Malta.

Exceptions

Individuals who are not citizens of a European Member State may not acquire any immovable property unless they are granted a permit. However there are certain exceptions to this general rule:

• The acquisition of a grave, or a site for a grave.
• The redemption of any ground-rent or other burden encumbering any immovable property lawfully acquired by the non-resident person.
• Immovable property devolving as a result of death, on any person, wherever resident, provided that the person from whom the property devolves had acquired such immovable property, where applicable, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 246.
• The acquisition of any further divided or undivided share in immovable property by any person, wherever resident, where such person had previously lawfully acquired a share in the immovable property.
• The transfer of immovable property in an inheritance between co-heirs.
• The partitioning of immovable property between co-owners.
• The acquisition of immovable property by a company or other commercial partnership, not being a non-resident person, from one or more of its members holding over 50% interest in, or of, its share capital.
• The donation of immovable property to a spouse, descendant or an ascendant in the direct line and their relative spouses, or in the absence of descendants to a brother or sister and their descendants, provided such immovable property had been acquired in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 246, where applicable.  

Expenses incurred when buying a property

Stamp duty

3.5%* on the first €116,469 of the immoveable property contract price. This concession is applicable only to the purchase of a place of residence and subject to the purchasers not having other properties in their name.

5%* on the amount over €69,886 of the immovable property contract price or on the full price, in case the above concession is not applicable.

All foreign nationals pay 5% on the value declared on the final deed with the exception of EU citizens taking up residence in Malta, having sold their overseas properties and having the Malta property as their sole residence. In this case 3.5% shall be paid on the first €69,886 as stamp duty.

* Promise of sale agreements have to be registered with the Inland Revenue Department and 1% provisional duty is payable at this stage on the contract value of the property being transferred. The provisional duty is off set against the final duty due on the final deed, or is refunded in case the deal fails to materialise.

Notarial Fees

A Maltese notary is a publicly appointed official, who is responsible for conducting the relevant Public Registry searches, ensuring that the there are no issues with the property’s title and that the transaction is carried out according to Maltese law.

Approximately, 1% of the immovable property price is due as notarial fees. The notary is usually chosen by the purchaser. This amount may vary according to the volume of title research required.  

Recognition Fee

On immovable property subject to ground rent, a recognition fee equivalent to one year’s ground rent is due upon signing the contract of sale. This fee is payable just once and is due to the owner of the said ground rent. A copy of the deed of purchase is also sent to the owner of the ground rent.