Tax is the part of a move people underestimate most. Here's how Malta treats a NRP holder's income — when you become a tax resident, what happens to foreign earnings, and the official basis for each. It's information, not tax advice.
The tax position
- Treatment
- Special tax regime
- Named regime
- Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (S.L. 123.210)
- Tax-residency trigger
- 183 days
- Income threshold
- €3,500/mo
How it works
No Maltese tax on authorised-work income for the first 12 months; thereafter a reduced flat rate of 10% under S.L. 123.210 (per the legal notice/MTCA guidelines). Holding the permit does not by itself grant tax residency.
When you become a tax resident
The usual trigger is time: spend more than 183 days in Malta in the relevant period and you're generally treated as a tax resident. But a day-count is rarely the whole story — having a permanent home available to you, or your family and centre of life in Malta, can make you resident sooner. Once resident, the treatment above applies to your income.
If you stay tax-resident somewhere else too, a double-taxation treaty between Malta and that country usually decides which one taxes a given slice of income — another reason to get personal advice before you move money or change residency.
Malta tax & the NRP: FAQ
Malta tax & the NRP: FAQ
When do I become a tax resident in Malta?
As a rule of thumb, spending more than 183 days in Malta in the relevant period makes you a tax resident — though residency can also be triggered earlier by having a permanent home or your centre of life there. The exact test is in the notes above.
Is my foreign income taxed in Malta?
Malta offers a special tax regime (Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (S.L. 123.210)) — see the conditions and rate above to check whether you qualify.
Does the NRP come with a tax break?
Effectively yes — malta offers a special tax regime (Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (S.L. 123.210)) — see the conditions and rate above to check whether you qualify. A double-tax treaty between Malta and your home country may further affect the result.
Sources
- Government Tax — Nomad Residence Permit (Residency Malta Agency) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette S.L. 123.210 Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (Laws of Malta) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15