Comparison
Greece vs Malta: choosing between two European residency routes
Both programs lead to residency in an EU member state and both are popular with families from the MENA region. They differ in cost structure, family scope and what the investment leaves you holding.
Last updated 1 September 2026
Quick comparison
Side by side
Qualifying investment
Real estate, capital transfer or funds from €[amount]
Property purchase or lease plus a contribution from €[amount]
Government fees
€[amount] per applicant
€[amount] administrative fee, plus contribution
Family inclusion
Spouse, children, parents
Spouse, children, parents, grandparents
Processing time
[X] months
[X] months
Residency requirement
No minimum stay
No minimum stay
Investment retained
Yes — you own the property
Partly — the contribution is not recoverable
Path to citizenship
Possible after long-term genuine residence
Possible after long-term genuine residence
Figures are indicative and change with regulation. Confirmed during assessment.
Suitability
Who each option tends to suit
Greece
- Families who want to own a tangible asset in a large market
- Investors comfortable managing property from abroad
- Those who see Greece as a place they will actually spend time
Malta
- Families wanting to include grandparents in one application
- Those who value an English-speaking legal and business environment
- Applicants who prefer leasing over buying property
Investment
Greece
The investment is usually a property you own and can later sell, which means capital is retained but liquidity depends on the local market.
Malta
The cost combines a property purchase or lease with a non-refundable government contribution, so less of the outlay is recoverable.
Family
Greece
Covers the spouse, children up to a set age and the parents of both spouses.
Malta
Extends further, including grandparents, which can make a single application more efficient for larger families.
Residency obligations
Greece
No minimum stay to maintain the permit, with renewal tied to keeping the investment.
Malta
No minimum stay, with conditions around maintaining the qualifying property and health cover.
Timeline
Greece
Driven largely by the property purchase and document preparation.
Malta
Driven by due diligence, which is detailed and can take several months.
Key trade-offs
What you give up for what you gain
- Greece usually leaves you owning more of what you spent; Malta is more predictable to structure.
- Malta’s family scope is broader; Greece’s is sufficient for most families.
- Greece exposes you to property market risk; Malta’s contribution is a sunk cost.
- Neither route by itself changes tax residency.
Trois perspective
“The families who are happiest with Greece intended to use the country. The families who are happiest with Malta wanted certainty and a wider family circle. The mistake is choosing on headline cost alone.”
Related alternatives
Also worth considering
Comparisons inform. An assessment decides.
A private consultation begins with your objectives. There is no obligation, and no product waiting at the end of it.