Buy Property in Malta: Purchase Process and Due Diligence

Interested in buying a real estate property in Malta? We present you with a guide that can help you understand the entire process. We also mention that our Maltese lawyers are at your disposal with information and legal advice during all the procedures involved.

Quick Facts
Can expats buy properties in Malta?	No restrictions are imposed for foreigners wanting to buy a property in Malta, except state-owned properties.
Legislation for property purchase in Malta	– Immovable Property (Acquisition by Non-Residents) Act (Cap. 246), – Civil Code (Cap. 16) and subsidiary legislation
Types of properties you can buy as a foreigner	– residencial properities, – office spaces, – villas, – lands, – hotels etc.
Property inspection before purchase (YES/NO)	Yes
Pre-sale agreement required	A preliminary agreement, signed at a public notary, is mandatory for buying a property in Malta. This documents must be signed by parties involved in the transaction.
Documentation verification made by our law firm in Malta	Our Maltese lawyers can verify the documents of the property about to be purchased. Among them, the Title Deed, Land Register extracts, preliminary agreement.
Content of a sale-purchase contract of a property	– property information and description, with details about former and future owners, – terms of acquisition, – price, – payment method, – signatures
Real estate tax in Malta	– 8% tax rate for property sale in Malta, – 5% tax rate for property acquisition
VAT for property purchase in Malta	No VAT imposed for sale and purchase of a property in Malta
Can a lawyer in Malta represent you with a power of attorney?	We can represent clients from abroad who want to buy a real estate property in Malta. A power of attorney allows us to sign varied documents.
Possibility to buy without visiting Malta	Yes, property purchase is possible for overseas citizens without traveling to Malta.
Residence permit issued for buying property in Malta	The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) is dedicated to foreigners who want to buy properties in this country in exchange for residence. The minimum property purchase is EUR 375,000 (or a lease of at least EUR 14,000/year), plus government contributions and fees.
Citizenship application permitted	Not by investment. The CJEU ruled Malta's citizenship-by-investment scheme contrary to EU law on 29 April 2025 (C-181/23) and the investment route was repealed in 2025; naturalisation is now by residence or, at the Minister's discretion, for exceptional (merit-based) services.
Buying a property in Malta through mortgage	Applicants can be helped by mortgage brokers. It is mandatory to open a bank account in Malta and then wait for the lending bank's approval of your loan.
Legal services offered for buying a property in Malta	– preparation of preliminary agreement, – sale-purchase contract, – real estate due diligence, – power of attorney for clients from overseas
Restrictions for foreigners	Non-EU citizens (and EU citizens without 5 years' residence who are not buying a primary residence) can purchase only one property unless it is situated in a Special Designated Area.
Residency	Buying a house in Malta may lead to residency.
Ownership	Freehold and leasehold options
The transaction process for buying a house in Malta	– letter of intent, – promise of sale, – final deed
Fees	– agent commissions, – legal fees, – taxes
Property prices	In 2025, average prices were roughly €3,000-3,500 per square metre nationally (higher in Sliema/St Julian's, lower in Gozo).
Financing (yes/no)	Yes, mortgages are available for eligible buyers.
Legal process	Legal guidance is recommended for non-residents interested in buying a house in Malta. Consult with our Maltese lawyers for details.
Documentation for non-EU buyers	– title deeds, – ID cards, – the Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit from the Ministry of Finance in Malta
EU citizens need AIP (yes/no)	No, if they have been residing in Malta for more than 5 years, or buying a property as primary residence.
Retirement and residence programs in Malta (yes/no)	Yes, the Malta Global Residence Programme (MGRP) is designed for individuals who are eligible to acquire a property with a minimum value of €275,000.
Stamp duty	The standard stamp duty rate in Malta is 5%, including in Gozo (the temporary reduced Gozo rate has expired); first-time buyers are exempt on the first €200,000.
Notary fees	Around 1-2% of property value
Searches and registration fees	Around €600
Currency	Euro (EUR)

Are there any nationality restrictions on buying a house in Malta?

No, all foreign citizens can purchase a property in Malta, respecting the conditions imposed.

What types of real estate properties can be purchased in Malta?

Residential properties,
Villas,
Houses,
Office spaces,
Condominiums,
Land, etc.

What is the main condition for an EU and non-EU citizen to buy a property in Malta?

To obtain the Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit, which costs around EUR 233.

Is a property inspection required before purchase?

Yes, it is highly recommended.

We also prepared an infographic on this topic:

What are the documents required for buying a property in Malta?

Valid IDs/Passports,
Pre-sale agreement,
Existing title deed,
Power of attorney used by our Maltese lawyers.

NOTE! The minimum value of the property must meet certain conditions in order to be granted the AIP in Malta.

What are the stages of buying a real estate property in Malta?

obtain the AIP,
real estate due diligence process,
contract & other documents verifications (by our lawyers),
signing a promise of sale / pre-sale contract,
making a small deposit,
signing the sale-purchase contract in front of the notary,
paying the remaining balance,
transferring the ownership and registering the new one with the Land Registry in Malta.

IMPORTANT! According to Maltese Law, the owner will have to register the property at the Lands Registry within 15 days after signing the final deed. The registration is mandatory, even if the property was previously registered.

What is the minimum deposit solicited for a property purchase in Malta?

Around 10% of the property value.

Can I negotiate the property price in Malta?

Yes, negotiations are possible. It is best to work with a real estate agent who knows the market in Malta.

You might want to watch the following video:

Are house loans available in Malta?

Yes, and you should consider these aspects:

you must first open a bank account in Malta and obtain the lending bank's approval (no Central Bank permission is needed).
it is necessary to conclude some insurance policies and to present bank statements and payslips for the mortgage application.
some banks also ask for a preliminary agreement if you have reached this stage of the process of buying a house, but it is not necessarily a rule.

What is the time frame to get the AIP permit in Malta?

Around 35 days.

Can I purchase more than just one property in Malta?

Yes, in Special Designated Areas (SDAs) in Malta, where no AIP permit and no minimum property value are required.

What are the conditions for retirees buying properties in Malta?

The Malta Retirement Programme is available to EU, EEA, Swiss and third-country nationals who purchase properties of at least EUR 275,000.

What are the costs involved in a property purchase in Malta?

around 5% for stamp duty,
about 2% notary costs calculated based on the property value,
fees for the real estate agent (typically around 3.5% of the property value), and the lawyer you work with, etc.

NOTE! First-time buyers enjoy various tax exemptions for property purchase in Malta.

Is there a VAT imposed on buying a property in Malta?

No! Malta does not impose VAT for buying or selling a real estate property.

What is the time frame to buy a property in Malta?

About 3-4 months until the final contract signatures.

Ready to purchase a property in Malta? Feel free to contact our law firm in Malta and discuss further legal details with us. Our lawyers can also help you start an LLC (Private Limited Company) in Malta with a minimum share capital of EUR 1,165, in approx. 2 weeks.