Malta Real Estate: Potential for Investment

Malta has enchanted visitors for centuries. Homer's Ulysses could hardly tear himself away from Malta after seven years. Even to this day the island boasts an almost unbeatable combination of history, sunny coastlines, vibrant city life, and tranquil countryside and if that is not enough excellent: investment potential. Today investing in Malta real estate is something of an undiscovered investor’s paradise and is considered as one of the favourite locations for foreign buyers who want a second home in the sun. The fact that English is spoken all over the island makes their stay so much easier.

Those looking for holiday homes, permanent residences, commercial property or investors simply wanting a good return on their capital have chosen Malta as their destination of preference. The benefits of buying propety in Malta are endless. There are no hassles for expatriates wanting to obtain residency permits and Malta’s residency benefits are also very good. The Maltese legal system is incredibly safe. Maltese residents have no tax levied on their worldwide income or wealth and they are subject to a flat income rate of 15 %. Those coming out to retire here can also benefit from a favourable tax system and pension legislation. The only restriction a foreign buyer comes against when buying Malta real estate is that he can only buy one property and pay not less that €70,000 for an apartment and €116,500 for a villa. Having said this if one buys a property in a Specially Designated Area development (SDA), such as Pendergardens all this does not apply as a foreign purchaser would be able to buy under the same conditions as a Maltese national. Thus he would be able to let out the property, buy as many units as he wishes and also buy in the name of individuals.

Tourists who bought Malta real estate only a few years ago for lifestyle reasons are now delighting in their investment gains and solid rental returns. All of this is bound to increase demand for Malta real estate. The combination of relative affordability coupled with a very good history of property gains and rapidly increasing demand is almost unbeatable. Topping all this is fantastic weather, marvelous scenery, crystal clear waters and sandy beaches, a moderate cost of living and an excellent healthcare and education system. What more could one ask for?