The Nomad Residence Permit scheme has proved to be extremely successful in attracting quality foreign residents who work remotely from Malta, said CEO of the Residency Malta Agency Charles Mizzi in a press conference on Wednesday.

In the first six months of operations, the Residency Malta Agency received about 180 applications for residency of digital nomads in Malta, translating to an average of one application every working day, with the majority of applicants being from the United Kingdom and the United States, said Mizzi.

Mizzi said that the residence permit will also extend the possibility for third country nationals for eligibility. These individuals will be able to work remotely whilst living in Malta.

Most of the applicants are male and the average age is 27 years old. The market’s majority are employed, with self-employment and freelancing following suit. The applicants tend to work in management, IT and marketing, Mizzi said. The average income is that of €60,000 with an overwhelming majority of applicants having a degree, he said.

“The requirements were done specifically to attract quality nomads in Malta,” said Mizzi.

Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Communities Alex Muscat said that the scheme has been in force for six months already, which has created a large local expat community in Malta, embracing a new remote world. The agency receives hundreds of queries which it hopes will translate into more applications once travel restrictions are eased, he said.

“This initiative requires low effort from the government, while reaping the benefits these nomads bring,” Muscat said, adding that these individual then generate Malta’s economy by renting apartments, taking buses, and simply going out to eat.

This also creates a new important niche in the market as more adventurous entrepreneurs present new skills, talent and ideas to the market, he said.

Founder of the Malta Digital Association Daniel Goebel said that in 2015, there was no specific infrastructure for remote workers, which has now become an entire industry due to the pandemic. He added that Malta attracts several digital nomads due to its sunny weather, healthy and friendly society and a sense of community.

Founder of Nomad Visa Malta Luca Arrigo said that nomads aid the country’s economy by accelerating start-ups, contributing to Malta becoming a start-up hub. He said that people living in the country on a long-term basis means that there is more economic contribution on a local level.