Malta Permanent Residence Program: Which Family Members Qualify?  

For families considering permanent residence in Europe, understanding who qualifies as a dependent in their chosen program is essential to establishing eligibility, preparing supporting documents, and calculating the total cost of an application.

With the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP), eligible non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals can include qualifying family members in a single residence application, with provisions covering spouses, children, dependent parents, and grandparents.

This will be good news for larger families, as Malta’s framework can accommodate several generations, including certain adult children and older relatives who may not typically qualify under the same conditions in other European residence systems. However, digging deeper into the program shows that eligibility depends on the relationship to the main applicant, age, financial dependency, and paying additional charges.

Key Takeaways

• A spouse or qualifying partner, and children under 18, can be included without the additional €7,500 adult-dependent administration fee
• Unmarried adult children aged 18–28 may qualify if they are principally dependent on the main applicant
• Adult children with a qualifying certified disability may be eligible, regardless of age
• Dependent parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse may qualify if they are not in full-time employment and are principally dependent on the main applicant
• Each qualifying adult dependent outside the fee-exempt categories attracts an additional €7,500 administration fee
• All family members remain subject to applicable eligibility, documentation, and due diligence requirements

Which Family Members Qualify Under the MPRP?

The MPRP defines eligible dependents by specific family relationships and conditions. To save time, applicants should establish each family member’s eligibility before submitting their application, particularly where adult children or older relatives are involved.

Immediate Family: Spouses and Children

Spouses and qualifying partners

A spouse can be included in the main applicant’s MPRP application without the additional adult-dependent administration fee. The program also recognizes qualifying partners whose relationship has a status equivalent or similar to marriage, subject to the applicable rules and assessment by the Residency Malta Agency.

Applicants should prepare the relevant marriage certificate or documentation establishing the qualifying partnership. As with other family members, the spouse or partner must satisfy applicable identity, background, and due diligence requirements.

Children

Children under 18 of the main applicant or their spouse, including qualifying adopted children, can be included as dependents.

No additional €7,500 adult-dependent administration fee applies to children under 18. Nevertheless, their inclusion requires supporting documentation, such as birth or adoption certificates, and they remain subject to the applicable application and residence-card requirements.

Adult Children: Eligibility Beyond Age 18

The MPRP provides a route for certain adult children to remain part of a family application after they turn 18.

Unmarried adult children aged 18–28

Adult children, including qualifying adopted children, may be included if they are between 18 and 28 years old, unmarried, and principally dependent on the main applicant at the time of application.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate that the dependency is genuine. Supporting evidence may include financial records and an affidavit of support, alongside civil-status documents and other records requested by the Agency.

Each qualifying adult child in this category attracts an additional €7,500 administration fee.

Adult children with a certified disability

The MPRP also makes provision for adult children with a qualifying certified disability. This category can extend beyond the standard age limit for adult children, and eligible individuals are exempt from the additional adult-dependent fee.

The relevant certification and supporting evidence must meet the program’s requirements. Families should confirm the documentation accepted by the Residency Malta Agency before relying on this provision.

For families with children approaching age 18 or 29, timing and documentation deserve particular attention. Eligibility should be assessed against the applicable rules and the family’s circumstances when the application is prepared.

Extended Family: Parents and Grandparents

One of the MPRP’s defining family provisions is the ability to include qualifying parents and grandparents of either the main applicant or their spouse. This creates an option for some families planning residence across multiple generations.

Parents and Grandparents

A parent or grandparent may qualify if they are principally dependent on the main applicant and are not in full-time employment. The same conditions apply to qualifying parents and grandparents on the spouse’s side of the family.

Each eligible parent or grandparent attracts an additional €7,500 administration fee. Applicants should also budget for any applicable residence-card fees and the costs of obtaining and preparing supporting documents.

Dependency is an important part of the assessment. Retirement income does not automatically prevent eligibility, provided the applicant can still demonstrate to the agency’s satisfaction that the parent or grandparent is principally dependent on the main applicant. An affidavit confirming this dependency may be required.

Siblings, Cousins, and Other Relatives

The MPRP does not provide a general route for adding any relative simply because they belong to the same extended family. Eligibility is tied to the categories defined by the program. Siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives should not be assumed to qualify as dependents under the standard family provisions.

Household employees are also not eligible dependents under these rules.

Alex Hopkin, Latitude’s Director of Operations – Malta, says this about family planning for the program:

“Malta’s MPRP recognizes that families do not always make residence decisions as a single household. Adult children may still rely on their parents well into their twenties, while older parents or grandparents may depend on the next generation for financial support. The ability to include qualifying relatives from both generations gives families more scope to plan their future together, rather than treating each family member’s residence needs as a separate decision.”

What Does It Cost to Include Family Members?

The current MPRP structure includes the following main program costs:

• €60,000 administration fee for the main applicant, paid in two stages: €15,000 within one month of application submission and €45,000 within two months of the Letter of Approval in Principle
• €37,000 government contribution for the main applicant, regardless of whether qualifying property is purchased or rented
• €2,000 charitable donation to an eligible organization
• €7,500 additional administration fee for each qualifying adult dependent
• Purchase a qualifying residential property for at least €375,000, or lease one for at least €14,000 annually, maintained for at least five years

Applicants must also meet the applicable capital-asset requirements: either at least €500,000 in capital assets, including €150,000 in financial assets, or at least €650,000 in capital assets, including €75,000 in financial assets.

Families should obtain a cost breakdown based on their specific circumstances before proceeding, including any relevant professional, insurance, document preparation, and residence-card costs.

The final budget will depend on the family’s composition and property choice. For example, a family including two qualifying dependent parents would need to account for an additional €15,000 in dependent administration fees. While a family with two eligible minor children would not pay those additional dependent administration fees for the children.

How Malta Compares With Other European Residence Options

Family eligibility is one factor to consider when comparing European residence programs. Portugal, Greece, Italy, and Cyprus each have their own rules on qualifying relatives, financial dependence, documentation, and fees. Eligibility under one program should not be assumed to apply under another.

• Portugal Golden Visa: Family members can be included, including a spouse or legal partner, children under 18, unmarried dependent children over 18 in full-time education, and dependent parents over 65
• Greece Golden Visa: Family members may be included, such as an eligible spouse or legal partner, children up to the age of 21, parents of the main applicant, and parents of the spouse
• Italy Golden Visa: Applicants may include a spouse, minor children, certain dependent adult children, and dependent parents, subject to the applicable requirements
• Cyprus Permanent Residence Program: The current program guide lists the main applicant, spouse or legal partner, children under 18, and unmarried dependent children under 25 as eligible family members

Malta’s MPRP has expressly defined categories for unmarried, principally dependent adult children aged 18–28, and dependent parents and grandparents. Its fee structure also distinguishes between these adult dependents and fee-exempt categories such as spouses and minor children.

For a family comparing several jurisdictions, the most useful approach is to assess who can qualify, what evidence is required, how much each dependent adds to the overall cost, and whether the residence option fits the family’s plans.

What Families Should Prepare Before Applying

Family applications require evidence that establishes both the relationship between the applicant and each dependent, as well as the dependent’s eligibility under the program.

Depending on the family member, supporting documents may include:

• Birth or adoption certificates
• Marriage or civil partnership documentation
• Evidence of financial dependence
• Relevant disability certification
• Parents and grandparents may also require an affidavit of support, and documents establishing the family relationship

Applicants should discuss their circumstances with a licensed MPRP agent before submitting documents. This is particularly important where an adult child has income or assets of their own, where a parent receives retirement income, or where family relationships require additional documentation.

Alex Hopkin remarks on the practicalities of what the Malta Permanent Residence Program could mean for larger families:

“For families, the practical benefit is not only the ability to include different generations on both sides of the family, but also the long-term certainty that follows. In some jurisdictions, children eventually age out of a family-based residence status and must establish a new basis on which to remain. Under the MPRP, eligibility is assessed at the time of application. Once an eligible child is approved, they do not lose permanent residence simply because they later exceed the applicable age threshold or become financially independent, provided the program’s continuing obligations are met. Each generation therefore has the flexibility to relocate when the time is right for them.”

Speak With Latitude

Every family has different needs, from supporting adult children to planning for older relatives. Latitude can help applicants assess eligibility, understand the documentation required, and review the costs associated with including qualifying dependents under Malta’s Permanent Residence Program.

Contact Latitude to discuss your family’s circumstances and whether the MPRP may fit your wider residence planning strategy. Schedule a free consultation by clicking here. 

Related Resources

• Malta Permanent Residence Program: Application Costs and Requirements
• Malta vs Greece vs Portugal Residence Programs Compared
• Mistakes to Avoid When Relocating to Malta
• What Is It Really Like to Live in Malta as an International Family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I include my parents in a Malta MPRP application?

Yes. Parents of the main applicant or their spouse may qualify if they are principally dependent on the main applicant at the time of application and meet the program’s other requirements. An additional €7,500 administration fee applies to each qualifying parent.

Can grandparents also qualify?

Yes. Eligible grandparents of the main applicant or their spouse may be included if they meet the dependency requirements. The applicant must provide the required evidence of the family relationship and financial support. The additional administration fee is €7,500 per qualifying grandparent.

Can I include my adult child if they are over 18?

Yes, if the child is aged 18–28, unmarried, and principally dependent on the main applicant at the time of application. An additional €7,500 administration fee applies to each qualifying adult child in this category.

Do minor children pay an additional dependent administration fee?

No. Eligible minor children are exempt from the additional €7,500 dependent administration fee. Other applicable program requirements and costs still need to be considered.

Are adult children with disabilities exempt from the additional fee?

Yes. The required certification and evidence should be confirmed before applying.

Does including family members mean they must all move to Malta?

Not necessarily. The MPRP does not impose a minimum physical presence requirement for maintaining permanent residence. However, families should consider each person’s individual circumstances, travel needs, residence obligations, and any other legal or tax implications before deciding how to use the program.

What is the additional fee for an adult dependent?

The additional administration fee is €7,500 for each qualifying adult dependent, excluding the spouse. It applies to eligible adult children aged 18–28 and dependent parents and grandparents. Eligible minor children and qualifying adult children covered by the disability exemption do not pay this additional fee.