LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta issued an average of 120 new residence permits per day, with a total of 44,007 new documents issued in the year between the end of December 2023 and the end of December 2024. This information was presented in Parliament by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri regarding the number of first-time residence permits issued to Third Country Nationals (TCNs) in 2024. According to data provided by the relevant authorities, in addition to the total of 4,741 permits issued to TCNs for the first time, Identity Maltàs records show that last year, a total of 33,455 residence permits were issued. Of these, 4,073 were related to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), the Malta Residency and Visa Programme (MRVP), and the NOMAD scheme. Byron Camilleri explained that residence in Malta provides a “migration pathway” for Third Country Nationals of good conduct, allowing them “to invest in Malta or work remotely for companies or clients based outside Malta.”
He noted that in 2024, Identity Malta generated over 132 million for the Maltese economy. The Minister highlighted that the investment-based residence programme-the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)-received 1,500 applications last year and generated: 46 million for the Consolidated Fund, 50 million in rental contracts over five years, and 36 million in property purchases. The Minister further stated that during the same period, 25,433 residence permits for TCNs expired or were revoked, while 52,661 were renewed. Camilleri also noted that when comparing figures from 31 December 2023 to 31 December 2024 and the previous year, the net increase in valid residence permits for non-EU nationals in 2024 was 668. For individuals from EU countries, a total of 5,811 new residence documents were issued last year, while 6,662 permits expired or were revoked, and 4,310 were renewed. “The residence permits for foreign nationals-both EU and non-EU-have stabilised,” he added. He explained that this trend reflects government policies, including decisions related to the reform of temping agencies and regulations concerning food couriers and taxi drivers. “During this period, there was a higher retention and renewal rate of residence permits, while the number of new applications from foreign nationals decreased.” He also highlighted that the recently introduced Malta Labour Migration Policy aims to establish “greater control, higher retention, and stronger measures to combat labour exploitation”.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Ipa Agency-
