How to send money to Malta in 2026: tax-free capital, income from abroad and buying a home
In 2026 money reaches Malta in euros to a 31-character account, but for an island resident what matters more than the route is what exactly they transfer. Foreign income is taxed only when it is brought into Malta, while capital built up before the move and gains from selling assets abroad carry no tax, so transfers are planned from separate accounts.
In short
- A Maltese account number has 31 characters, and a euro transfer from the EU arrives in seconds.
- Tax is charged only on remitted foreign income; capital from before the move is tax-free.
- The minimum tax is $5,600 (€5,000) if foreign income is €35,000 or more.
- A home purchase permit costs €233, and the minimum flat price is $200,000 (€174,274).
- The notary holds a 10% deposit, and the duty on purchase is 5%.
In detail
Routes to Malta on 8 October 2026: time and what to give
The 3 routes below were checked on 8 October 2026. Malta's currency is the euro, and dollar amounts on this page use the European Central Bank rate of 7 October 2026: $1.1177 per euro. A euro transfer from the EU arrives in seconds, and from other countries in 1-3 business days.
| Route | Time | What to give |
|---|---|---|
| Instant euro transfer from an EU country | up to 10 seconds, around the clock | the 31-character account number and the holder's name as the Maltese bank has it |
| Standard euro transfer | next business day | account number, name, payment purpose |
| Transfer from a country outside the EU in euros or another currency | 1-3 business days | the recipient bank's code, the purpose and, for a large sum, a document on the source of the money |
For a Malta resident, what matters more than the route is which account the money leaves from: the tax depends on it. So first you decide what to transfer, and only then how.
Tax only on remitted income: how to split your accounts
A Malta resident who moved from another country and does not consider the island their home of origin pays tax on foreign income only when they transfer that income to Malta. Rates go up to 35%. Capital built up before the move is not income, and gains from selling assets abroad are not taxed even after being transferred to the island.
That is why 3 separate accounts are kept abroad: capital from before the move, income after the move, and gains from asset sales. Example: a resident transfers $170,000 (€150,000) to Malta from a deposit opened before the move, and there is no tax on the transfer. Interest earned on that deposit after the move is already income, so it is moved to a separate account so as not to mix it with capital.
There is a floor: if foreign income for the year is $40,000 (€35,000) or more, a resident without a special residence programme pays at least $5,600 (€5,000) in tax. Example: income from letting a flat abroad is $68,000 (€60,000), and $23,000 (€20,000) has been transferred to Malta. Tax on this sum at the regular rates is below the minimum, so €5,000 is payable.
Which account to use for which transfer depends on the history of your money: a manager will sort your transfers by account before the first payment. Details on residents' taxes are on the taxes in Malta page.
We will help you send money to Malta
Mistakes cost more than fees: a transfer from a shared account where capital is mixed with post-move income, a deposit paid without a purchase permit, a large sum without source-of-funds documents on the day of the deal. We will help you avoid them: we will sort your transfers by account, choose a route for the sum and move the money through licensed partners on the notary's schedule.
Details and terms are with a manager in the chat: the cost depends on the sum, the sending country and whether the money is for buying a home.
A gift to family in Malta: no tax on money
The tax on a cash gift in Malta is €0: there is no separate gift or inheritance tax here. Example: parents send their daughter $90,000 (€80,000) to a Maltese account for the first payment on a flat and write in the payment purpose that it is a gift; the bank will ask for a letter from the donors and their account statement.
Duty is paid only when property in Malta or shares are given or inherited, not money. For a resident recipient a gift from abroad is not income, so it does not fall under the tax on remitted income.
A Maltese account: 31 characters and a thorough check
A Maltese account number is one of the longest in Europe at 31 characters: the country code, 2 check digits, a 4-letter bank code, a 5-digit branch code and 18 characters for the account itself. For an EU resident the bank must consider an application for a basic account within 10 business days, while for a non-resident the check takes longer and centres on the source of the money, so the account is opened before the money is needed.
Deposits are protected up to $120,000 (€100,000) per person in each bank, and money from a home sale and other life events additionally up to $560,000 (€500,000). On residents' interest the bank withholds a 15% final tax.
Those moving under a residence permit programme open the account before applying: government contributions, rent or purchase of a home and the investments the programme requires all go through it. The bank is shown a copy of the application and the list of programme payments, and then the check goes faster. The island's programmes are described on the Malta residence permit for remote work page.
A flat in Malta: a purchase permit and a deposit with the notary
EU citizens and those who have lived in Malta for 5 years buy homes on general terms. Everyone else needs a purchase permit outside special zones: it costs $270 (€233), and the minimum price for it is $200,000 (€174,274) for a flat and $340,000 (€300,619) for a house. A permit lets you buy 1 property to live in, while in special zones, usually new complexes by the sea, no permit is needed and several flats can be bought. A flat in a special zone can be let, while a permit purchase is a home for yourself.
The deal goes in 2 steps. First a preliminary agreement is signed, usually for 90 days, and the buyer transfers 10% of the price to the notary, who holds the deposit until the final deed. Within 21 days 1% provisional duty is paid, and at the final deed the rest of the price and another 4% duty.
Example: a flat in Sliema for $450,000 (€400,000). The deposit to the notary is $45,000 (€40,000), the provisional duty $4,500 (€4,000), and at the final deed $410,000 (€360,000) of the price and $18,000 (€16,000) in duty. If the deposit came from a separate capital account, there is no tax on the transfer.
It is easier to send the purchase money in advance so that the deposit and the balance are not waiting for a bank check on the day of the deal. We will suggest the best way to send the deposit and the balance on the notary's schedule, and choose a property on the property in Malta page.
Three amounts, three sets of documents
- Up to $10,000. The bank checks the recipient's name and the purpose and usually does not ask for documents. This is how money for rent, children's studies and costs on the island is sent.
- $10,000-200,000. The bank asks for the sender's statement and a document matching the purpose; a resident also notes which account the money came from: capital, income or sale gains.
- From $200,000. Permit home purchases and capital relocation start at this sum: the bank examines the source of the whole fortune, and the notary checks the money against the deal.
Is the bank asking where the money comes from, while part of your capital has long been held in different countries? There are usually more options than it seems: tell a manager about your situation. For large sums there is a separate capital relocation page, and the general rules are in proof of source of funds.
From Malta onward: Italy next door, Cyprus and Greece along the way
Sicily is less than 2 hours from Malta by fast ferry, and many island residents have business in Italy. From a Maltese account money moves within the euro area in seconds. Cyprus and Greece are a frequent second destination for those comparing islands and residents' taxes. Most often money goes on to:
- Italy: a house in Sicily and business on the mainland.
- Cyprus: a second euro island with its own rules for residents.
- Greece: a home and a residence permit.
- Portugal: the next move within Europe.
How to get the right to live on the island is described on the Malta residence permit and Malta passport pages.
Sending money to neighbouring countries
- How to send money to Italy: a tax code and a home
- How to send money to Cyprus: an account and a home
- How to send money to Greece: a home and a residence permit
- How to send money to the Vatican: euros to an institution's account
- How to send money to Tunisia: convertible currency accounts for non-residents too
- How to send money to Gibraltar: pounds to a 23-character account
All legal routes for moving capital are on the capital relocation page.
FAQ
Do you pay tax in Malta on money transferred from your old deposit?
Are gains from selling shares abroad taxed in Malta?
What is the minimum tax for a Malta resident with income from abroad?
Do you need a permit to buy a flat in Malta?
What deposit is paid when buying a home in Malta?
What duty does a home buyer pay in Malta?
We will suggest the best way to send your money
We will choose a transfer method for your amount and country, prepare the documents on the origin of the money for the bank, make the transfer through licensed partners and follow it until the money is credited. Ask your question in the chat - the manager will suggest the best terms and the cost. The legal side with banks and government bodies is handled by Murblz specialists and locally licensed partners.
Details and cost are with the manager in the chat. Describe your situation and we will reply right away.
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