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Greece Golden Visa vs Malta Residency – Full Comparison 2026

Greece and Malta offer two different residency by investment programs. Greece’s Golden Visa provides a renewable residence permit, while Malta’s MPRP grants permanent residence in Malta. The two programs differ in their investment requirements, residency status, and long-term benefits.
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Malta Residency

Malta offers permanent residency through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP). Total costs start from approximately €169,000 under the rental option or from around €474,000 when purchasing property, including government contributions and other mandatory fees.

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Feature
Greece Golden Visa
Malta MPRP (Permanent Residence)
Minimum Investment
From €250,000
From approximately €169,000 (rental option) or €474,000 (property purchase option)
Residency Type
Temporary residence permit (5-year renewable)
Permanent residence from day one
Investment Type
Real estate
Property rental or purchase + government contribution
Processing Time
From 4 months
From 9 months
Residency Requirement
No minimum stay requirement
No minimum stay requirement
Path to Citizenship
Continuous renewals required
Permanent residence granted from day one
Travel Rights
Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
Work Rights
Separate work authorization required
Separate work authorization required

Minimum Investment Requirements

Greece Golden Visa 🇬🇷

€250,000 real estate investment

Business investment options

Lowest-cost EU residency program that includes real estate

Malta MPRP 🇲🇹
Malta requires a mixed investment model, including:
Property rental from €14,000 per year for at least 5 years or property purchase from €375,000
Non-refundable administrative fee of €60,000
Government contribution of €37,000 for the main applicant
Additional government contribution of €7,500 per dependent
Mandatory €2,000 donation to a Maltese non-profit organisation
Total costs start from approximately €169,000 under the rental option or from around €474,000 under the property purchase option.

Processing Time

Greece 🇬🇷

Processing time from 4 months

Residency permit issued shortly after property purchase

Straightforward due diligence and documentation

Malta 🇲🇹

Processing time from 9 months

More rigorous due diligence

Permanent residency status granted upon approval

Residency Requirements

Greece 🇬🇷

No minimum stay

Flexible — maintain property, renew every 5 years

Ideal for non-EU residents seeking mobility without relocation

Malta 🇲🇹

No minimum stay

Must maintain qualifying property long-term

Permanent residency allows long-term settlement in Malta

Path to Citizenship

Stage
Greece
Malta MPRP
Minimum Time
7 years
No direct path via MPRP
Physical Stay Required
Yes
Yes (for separate citizenship route)
Language/Integration
Greek A2
Separate requirements (long-term)
Passport Strength
180+ visa-free countries
190+ visa-free countries
EU Mobility
Full mobility after citizenship
Full mobility after citizenship

Not sure whether Greece or Malta is the right choice?

Request a consultation — Astons will compare both programs based on your goals, budget, and long-term plans.
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Travel & Mobility Benefits

Greece 🇬🇷

Visa-free access to all 29 Schengen countries

90/180 rule for other Schengen states

Passport after naturalisation provides full EU mobility

Malta 🇲🇹

Same Schengen travel rights

No EU-wide work rights without work permit

Passport only via separate naturalization (not part of MPRP)

Family Inclusion

Both programs allow the inclusion of: spouse, children (students included), parents (if dependent). Malta offers eligibility for grandparents as well.

Tax Benefits

Greece 🇬🇷

Optional Flat Tax Program (€100,000 annually)

No tax on foreign-sourced income for non-domiciled residents

Very attractive for global investors

Malta 🇲🇹

MPRP is a tax-neutral program

Real Estate Options

Greece 🇬🇷

✔ Real estate allowed for €250,000+

✔ Strong rental demand in Athens

✔ Tangible investment with appreciation potential

Find Property
Malta 🇲🇹

✔ Choice of renting or purchasing

✔ High-quality market

❌ Real estate alone is not sufficient — combined with contributions & fees

Contact Us

Pros & Cons

Greece – Pros

Lowest investment threshold in the EU

Fast processing

No stay requirement

Real estate-centric

Easy family inclusion

Malta – Pros

Permanent residency from day one

High credibility and strong due diligence

Premium living environment, English-speaking country

Greece – Cons

Citizenship requires actual residence

Temporary residency (renewable)

Malta – Cons

Higher total cost

Does not provide a direct path to citizenship

Multi-layer investment structure

Which Program Is Better for You?

Goal
Greece 🇬🇷
Malta 🇲🇹
Affordability
From €250,000
 From €169,000 (rental) / from €474,000 (purchase)
Fast processing
From 4 months
From 9 months
Tangible investment
Real estate
Real estate or rental option
No relocation requirement
No stay requirement
No stay requirement
Potential rental income
Long-term rentals permitted
Rental property is for residence purposes
Flexible “Plan B” residency
Yes
Yes
Tax planning opportunities
Non-Dom and pension regimes
Tax-neutral

Real Estate in Greece for Obtaining Residency

Information regarding project availability, pricing, specifications, and completion dates is subject to change. We encourage prospective investors to confirm all details with our experts before proceeding.
Boutique residences near the metro
from €265 ,000
Handover: Q1 2027 | ID GC680
Athens | 1BR - 2BR | 42-64  m²
Stylish residences on the Athenian Riviera
from €259,000
Handover: Q4 2027 | ID GC682
Saloniki | 1BR | 42-47 m²
Luxurious furnished units near the beach
from €290,000
Handover: Q3 2028 | ID GC689
Athens | 2BR | 59-98 m²
Free Consultation
Free Consultation
Exclusive apartments in a boutique complex
from €250 ,000
Ready to move in | ID GC653
Athens | 1BR | 25-30  m²
Furnished Apartments with Pool in Neo Irakleio
from €260,000
Handover: Q1 2027 | ID GC531
Athens | 1BR | 37-40 m²
Free Consultation
Free Consultation
Furnished apartments in a prestigious area
from €255,000
Handover: Q3 2028 | ID GC664
Athens | 1BR | 37-78 m²
Free Consultation
Free Consultation
FAQ – Greece vs Malta Residency
It depends on the option selected. Greece offers a straightforward entry point through real estate investment from €250,000. Malta’s MPRP requires a combination of government contributions, administrative fees, and property rental or purchase, with total costs typically starting from approximately €169,000 under the rental option or from around €474,000 under the purchase option.