MALTA
Why Malta?
A Quick Look at Your Residence or Citizenship Options
BY JEAN BROWN
The Henley & Partners ‒ Kochenov Quality of Nationality Index( QNI) is an index that objectively ranks the quality of nationalities worldwide, based on their internal and external value factors. The internal value of nationality measured by this index relates to the“ quality of life within a nationality’ s country of origin”, while the external value identifies the“ diversity and quality of opportunities” that each nation allows its citizens to pursue beyond their country of origin.
Based on this QNI, Malta was ranked number 22 of 161 countries in 2015 ‒ categorised as a country with a‘ Very High’ quality of nationality, and scoring high on factors like scale of human development, weight and diversity of travel freedom, and weight and diversity of settlement freedom.
According to a Forbes business profile, due to its low debt-to-GDP ratio, and a financially sound banking sector, Malta has been able to weather the euro-zone crisis better than most EU member states. It also has low unemployment relative to other European countries, and led the euro zone in growth in 2014 & 2015.
Citizenship-By-Investment Programme Malta is one of only six countries offering citizenshipby-investment programs that provide a direct route to citizenship based on investment. These programs are a quick and simple way to legally acquire new citizenship.
Key factors about the Malta Individual Investor Programme( MIIP):
• Designed and implemented by Henley & Partners
for the Malta Government in 2014.
• Includes three financial requirements: a contribution to the development of Malta, a purchase of stocks / bonds and a property transaction
• Combined upfront financial requirement: EUR 900, 000.
The Malta Residence and Visa Programme According to Henley & Partners, a change of residence is a sensible option for clients living in countries with limited options for tax and estate planning. Other reasons include the availability of more lifestyle choices and a better quality of life, as well as increasing personal security( if living in a country with an unstable political or economic situation, for example).
Key factors about the Malta Residence and Visa Programme( MRVP):
• Minimum requirements include 1.) an investment in government bonds( to be retained for a minimum period of five years) and a property purchase 2.) OR a property lease and nonrefundable government contribution.
• Combined financial requirement for Option 1: EUR 520,000 ‒ EUR 570,000.
• Combined financial requirement for Option 2: EUR 120,000 ‒ EUR 144,000 per annum( for five years) plus a non-refundable government contribution of EUR 30,000.
RESOURCES
Henley Global & Partners, Forbes
50 APRIL 2017 SA Real Estate Investor www. reimag. co. za