Back to Blogs
With Malta property proving to be an unbeatable investment, many local first-time buyers are eager to get on to the property ladder. The good news is that the government’s incentives and grant schemes can go a long way in helping people to get their hands on their first property!
We look at some of the highlights of the incentives: Malta’s Ministry of Finance and Employment aims to assist first-time buyers firstly through encouraging them to:
- buy property located in Urban Conservation Areas (UCA);
- to buy properties that have been built more than 20 years ago and have been vacant for more than 7 years and thirdly
- look at new properties that fall within the criteria and guidelines approved by the board that was appointed by the minister responsible for finance.
Here’s what you stand to get and be eligible for:
The right applicants will be looking at receiving a grant to the minimum value of €15,000 if the property is located in Malta and up to a maximum of €30,000 if the property is located on Gozo. This actual amount applicants will receive will be calculated based on a pro-rata basis according to the share of the property being bought.
Criteria for eligibility
- Applicants need to be Maltese residents
- Be a first-time buyer
- Be recognised as the owner of a private residential UCA located property or
- Be the owner of a private residential property that was built more than 20 years ago and has been standing vacant for more than 7 years or
- Be the owner of a new private residential property that was developed within the conformity and approved criteria and established guidelines as set out and this needs to be approved by the relevant, competent authority.
Any property falling under these guidelines which are being applied for must be the applicant’s first immovable property and have been acquired inter vivos (meaning “while alive”). The property must have been acquired for the purposes of use as a sole and ordinary residence and be a privately owned residential property. The property needs to have been purchased between the dates of 12 October 2021 and 31 December 2024.
In order to be considered eligible for the grant, the applicant needs to have first registered their deed or acquisition through their chosen notary with the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue. It is also required to have submitted legal proof and a declaration that they are first-time buyers and that this is their first immovable property acquired while still alive.
When it comes to acquiring a private home solely for residential use that is located in a UCA or a property older than 20 years that has been vacant or more than 7 years, applications submitted under this scheme should not be submitted later than 6 months from the date of purchase. The date of purchase of the property will be the date that appears on the deed of acquisition.
It is important to note that any property that benefits from a grant is not allowed to be subdivided, in other words the number of residential units are to remain exactly the same. In the case where the property is redeveloped into separate residential units afterwards, the full amount of the grant that was paid to the applicant is to be repaid.
More Incentives are:
- A €10,000 grant for First-Time Buyers
A €10,000 grant spread out over 10 years will be available to first-time buyers once only. This grant will contribute towards the repayment of the buyer’s home loan and will include property purchases since the beginning of January 2022. For this grant, the maximum allowed value of the property cannot exceed €500,000.
- VAT refund on restoration works
Current and/or prospective owners of properties that qualify may also benefit from a VAT refund of up to €54,000 on the first €300,000 spent on any refurbishment works. If you want to know more, read the full article here: https://franksalt.com.mt/blogs/buying/urban-conservations-area-ucas-incentives/
- Exemption on stamp duty
First-Time Buyers can look forward to an exemption on stamp duty applicable to the first €200,000 on a property’s purchase price, regardless of location and type of property.
- Additional First-Time Buyers grant to be used towards restoration
If first-time buyers purchase a home built more than 20 years ago and it has been vacant for more than 7 years, they can apply for an additional grant of €15,000 to be used towards the property’s restoration. If the property happens to be located on Gozo, that grant goes up to €30,000.
…but wait, there is more good news!
When you as a First-Time Buyer purchase your property through us at Frank Salt Real Estate, you will automatically gain access to our exclusive FIRST-TIME BUYERS VALUE PACK… absolutely FREE of charge, which means you are looking at further possible savings of up to €15,000! Included in this exclusive Frank Salt Real Estate Value Pack are amazing discounts from banks and furniture companies, discounts on solar panels, ACs, kitchens, soft furnishings, insurance, art, appliances, bathrooms, light fittings, flooring, decking, white goods, doors and much more! If you want to know more about this amazing offer, go to https://franksalt.com.mt/our-offers/offers-for-first-time-buyers/
We have been assisting new homeowners find their perfect first property for more than 50 years. We have Malta’s biggest selection of properties on both Malta and Gozo and a network of more than 16 branches. Make sure to contact us today if you want to get on the property ladder sooner than later and start your way to financial freedom, success and independence. If you want us to contact you, please contact the form below.
