Who Can Buy Property in Malta? AIP Permits and SDAs Explained
Malta welcomes foreign buyers, but whether you need a permit first depends on your nationality, how long you have lived in Malta and where the property is. The rules sit in the Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) regime, with one big exception: Specially Designated Areas, where anyone can buy with no restrictions.
Here is how the rules work in 2026, with the current thresholds and fees from official Maltese sources.
EU citizens: residence is what matters
Maltese and other EU citizens who have lived in Malta continuously for at least five years can buy any property without a permit, according to the Malta Tax and Customs Administration. EU citizens without five years' residence need no permit for a primary residence or for property used in their business, but do need an AIP permit for a secondary residence such as a holiday home.
Non-EU citizens: the AIP permit
Nationals of countries outside the EU, which since Brexit includes British buyers, cannot acquire property in Malta without an AIP permit unless they buy in a Specially Designated Area. The permit limits non-residents to one property in Malta.
AIP purchases are also subject to minimum property values, indexed to reflect inflation in the sector. Figures published under Legal Notice 308 of 2021 put the minimums at €143,410 for flats and maisonettes and €247,701 for other property such as houses, according to Maltese law firm Chetcuti Cauchi. These values are revised over time, so confirm the current ones before you commit.
- Permit fee: €233, payable when the permit is issued
- Target processing time: 35 days for a correctly completed application
- You will need the AIP form, a copy of the promise of sale, a passport copy and two photos
- Non-residents may normally own only one property in Malta outside Specially Designated Areas
Specially Designated Areas: no restrictions at all
Specially Designated Areas (SDAs) are named developments where the AIP rules simply do not apply: any nationality can buy, there is no minimum value, you can own more than one unit and you can let the property freely.
Most SDAs are large, serviced lifestyle developments. Well-known examples include Portomaso and the Pender Place and Mercury House sites in St Julian's, Tigné Point and Fort Cambridge on the Sliema peninsula, SmartCity, Tas-Sellum in Mellieħa, and Fort Chambray and the Kempinski Residences in Gozo.
How to apply, and what to watch
AIP applications go to the AIP section of the Malta Tax and Customs Administration and are usually handled by your notary alongside the promise of sale. First-time applicants submit the AIP form with a copy of the preliminary agreement, a passport copy and two passport photos; companies face additional requirements.
Conditions attach to the permit, and both the qualifying values and the wider rules can change, so treat the Malta Tax and Customs Administration as the source of truth before signing a konvenju. Habio's Malta area guides and listings can help you establish early on whether a property sits inside an SDA.
Frequently asked questions
Can British citizens buy property in Malta?
Yes. Since Brexit, British nationals are treated as non-EU buyers, so outside Specially Designated Areas they need an AIP permit, which costs €233 and limits them to one property. Inside an SDA there are no restrictions.
How long does an AIP permit take?
The AIP section works to a 35-day target for correctly completed applications, according to guidance published by Maltese law firm Chetcuti Cauchi.
Can foreigners buy more than one property in Malta?
Not under an AIP permit, which limits non-residents to one property. In Specially Designated Areas there is no limit on the number of properties.
What is a Specially Designated Area?
A named development, such as Portomaso, Tigné Point or Fort Chambray, where property can be bought by any nationality with no permit, no minimum value and full freedom to let.
Is there a minimum price foreigners must pay for property in Malta?
For AIP purchases, yes. Published minimums are €143,410 for flats and maisonettes and €247,701 for other property, and they are revised over time, so check the current figures with the Malta Tax and Customs Administration.
Sources
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Markets and rules change — verify the current position with official sources before acting. Published 2 August 2026.