A short guide to working out which rules apply to you. Status labels are explained on the Starting in Malta.
1. Start with the comparison
- 4.1 on 4. EU vs third-country national sets out what changes depending on your nationality.
- 1.1 on 1. Entry & residency answers whether you need a residence permit at all.
2. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national
- 1.2: what to register if you stay longer than 3 months.
- 8.3 on 8. Cross-cutting: identity card or eResidence document (needs checking).
- Healthcare: 5.2 and 5.3 on 5. Healthcare.
3. If you are a third-country national
- Residence routes:
- 4.2: non-employment permits for family, study and long-term stay.
- 4.3: whether you get the same rights as Maltese nationals.
- 1.12 (visa to enter) and 1.13 (starting work before the card arrives) are still open. 1.14 (losing your job on a Single Permit) has no confirmed answer.
4. Either way
- Tax residence: 8.2 on Cross-cutting and 10. Tax explained.
- Long-term or permanent residence: 1.15, still open.
See Open questions and gaps for what is unconfirmed.