Guide to buying in malta
How to buy property
Important at the beginning of the processing is to determine what your priorities are, such as luxury, aesthetics, social or practicality. For the location choice, think about whether you’re looking for a bustling environment, accessibility to facilities or the beauty of quiet. Contentment may mean walking onto a marina or enjoying your farmhouse, penthouse or bungalow, whether to live or for holiday. Whether affluent or not there is a richness of choice in Malta.
Buying process - simple and safe
The buying process is simple and easy – anyone can own without residency.
Contracts are drawn up in English and on agreement of terms and conditions, a convenium/preliminary agreement is signed between the vendor and purchaser. There may be some regulations that apply for non-residents, possibly an AIP permit. A Notary Public is engaged by the purchaser to carry out the necessary research into the property to confirm good title, as well as submit any other specifics to the Ministry of Finance.
Then on signing of the contract the balance of the purchase price and Stamp Duty plus legal expenses are paid and then vacant possession to the property is handed to the purchaser.
Expenses related to the acquisition of property include:
- 5% stamp duty
- 1% to 3% notarial fee (approximate): €600
- searches and registration fees (approximate): €233
- AIP permit fee (where applicable)
These costs are the liability of the purchaser, whilst agency fees are borne by the vendor.
Taxation
Taxation on letting private properties is as low as 15%. There are no council rates.
Rental
A quick and easy way of cushioning your move to Malta is to rent a furnished flat or buy your furniture in Malta. Most furnished flats come with everything you will need, including cooking appliances, cutlery and crockery, and bed and bathroom linen.
ABC of properties
Malta has a multitude of property options and the wealth of choice may make deciding more difficult.
- Apartments/Penthouses – Varying accommodation in a block or part of a large complex which may have communal pools or/and gardens. Some offer spacious terraces and stunning sea views.
- Bungalow – luxury property, normally quite large over one floor and are either detached/semi-detached, over split levels. Usually with surrounding gardens and a private/communal pool.
- Commercial – Offices, warehouses, retail, developments or going concerns.
- Farmhouses– House on a farm usually located in the countryside or on the outskirts of villages.
- Houses of Character -Built entirely from stone. Romantic architecture and maybe with an outdoor area.
- Land, Plots & Sites – Mostly for agricultural reasons as land cannot be used for building purposes.
- Maisonette – Generally with its own front door. No communal area and possibly an outdoor area.
- Terrace houses– Normally comprise of multiple floors with staircases and possibly an outside area
- Townhouses– have many traditional features in their architecture such as stone arches, wooden beams, patterned tiles and wooden apertures
- Villa/ Palazzo – luxury property, normally quite large and are either detached/semi-detached, or split levels. Usually with surrounding gardens and a private/communal pool.
- Special Designated Areas – There are a number of luxury developments being set up in Malta and Gozo which have been highlighted by the local authorities as Special Designated Areas (SDAs). There are no restrictions to foreigners to acquire these properties, which makes them an ideal choice for those wishing to invest in property in Malta. These property types are high-end and consist of clusters of apartments, maisonettes and penthouses, which were built with a common theme on an extensive piece of land and their value is further increased due to their coveted location and high finishing. Some developments that fall under SDAs are:
- Fort Cambridge
- Madliena Village.
For additional options see Investor properties.
