Chinese are biggest non-EU buyers of Malta properties
Permits for property purchases outside high-end zones highlight China's market dominance
Chinese nationals accounted for just under half of all property demand in Malta by people outside the European Union last year.
Out of the 741 permits for property purchases by non-EU nationals issued in 2025, 344 (46.4%) were for Chinese nationals. The statistics were presented to parliament by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana in response to a question by PN MP Mario de Marco.
Indian nationals received the second-highest number of permits in 2025, totalling 61, with British nationals coming in third with 53 permits.
Demand by US nationals more than doubled between 2024 and 2025, jumping from 14 property permits to 38 last year.
These permits are needed by non-EU nationals to buy properties that are outside of specially designated zones like Portomaso and Tigné Point and other high-end property developments, meaning the data presented in parliament only captures part of the market.
The data shows demand by Chinese nationals has skyrocketed fourfold since 2021.
Chinese people accounted for 1,090 out of 2,825 total acquisitions of immovable property (AIP) permits between 2021 and 2025.
The number of Chinese nationals requiring a permit has risen from 83 in 2021, to 108 permits the following year, 204 in 2023 and a peak of 351 permits in 2024 before a slight drop last year.
PM defends recent push to further promote sales in China
Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended the government’s recent push to further promote property sales in China, claiming the permit system prevents wealthy foreigners from speculating in Maltese real estate.
He argued that attracting foreign investment helps fund “the sorts of strong budgets that there have just been” and it would be a mistake not to do so.
Construction Minister Jonathan Attard and Malta Development Association representatives visited China as part of a trade delegation in December, telling the LPS Shanghai Luxury Property Exhibition that Malta is open for business.
China has proven to be a strong market for Malta’s golden visa scheme, although a 2024 study found that people under this scheme prefer to rent a property rather than buy one.
The scheme gives wealthy investors the opportunity to become Maltese residents, with requirements including purchasing or renting a property in Malta or Gozo.
According to a 2024 study by the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, nearly nine out of every 10 golden visa buyers (88%) are Chinese.
The report suggested that golden visa buyers are paying the absolute minimum they are required to for accommodation, renting apartments that would otherwise be available to low-to-medium income renters.
Out of over 2,500 golden visa applications analysed, only 67 applicants chose to purchase a property.