Question 1

What are the main costs of buying property in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the price, the main costs of buying property in Malta are: stamp duty of 5% (with a first-time-buyer relief on the first €200,000), notary fees of customarily around 1% plus searches and registration, and a 10% deposit at the Promise of Sale (which counts towards the price). If you engage an architect to check the property, budget their fee too; estate-agent commission is usually paid by the seller.

Question 2

Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty in Malta?

Accepted Answer

First-time buyers in Malta pay no stamp duty on the first €200,000 of the property's value — the standard 5% applies only to any value above it. The relief applies when you're buying your first immovable property to establish your sole, ordinary residence, and it was made a permanent scheme in Malta's 2026 Budget.

Question 3

How long does it take to buy a property in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Most purchases in Malta take around six to eight months from signing the Promise of Sale (Konvenju) to the final deed — the period the parties agree in the Konvenju itself. A cash purchase can move faster; one that relies on a home loan usually needs the longer end of that range, because the bank's application, valuation and approval take time. Finding the right property and agreeing terms happens before that, and can add weeks or months on top.

Question 4

How much are notary fees in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Notary fees in Malta are regulated under Chapter 55 of the Laws of Malta and customarily work out at around 1% of the purchase price, though they vary with the complexity of the searches required. On top of the professional fee, the buyer covers the cost of the searches and the registration of the deed. The notary also collects the stamp duty due on the transaction and pays it to the tax authorities on your behalf — so the notary's own fee is separate from the tax.

Question 5

How much deposit do you pay when buying property in Malta?

Accepted Answer

When you sign the Promise of Sale (Konvenju) in Malta, you customarily pay a deposit of 10% of the purchase price. It's normally held by the notary in their client account and released to the seller at the final deed. The deposit forms part of the price — it's set against what you owe at the deed, not an extra cost on top.

Question 6

How much is stamp duty when buying property in Malta?

Accepted Answer

The standard rate of stamp duty (duty on documents and transfers) when buying property in Malta is 5% of the price or market value, whichever is higher. Of that, 1% is paid provisionally when the Promise of Sale (Konvenju) is registered, and the remaining 4% falls due on the final deed. Reduced rates and exemptions apply in specific cases — most notably a relief for first-time buyers.

Question 7

What is the 1% provisional stamp duty on the Konvenju in Malta?

Accepted Answer

When your Promise of Sale (Konvenju) is registered — within 21 days of signing — you pay 1% of the price as provisional stamp duty. This is one-fifth of the eventual 5% total; the remaining 4% falls due on the final deed. Your notary handles the registration and the provisional payment.

Question 8

Who pays the notary when buying property in Malta — buyer or seller?

Accepted Answer

In Malta it's customarily the buyer who chooses and pays the notary. The notary acts as an impartial public officer for the transaction, but it's the buyer who engages them and settles their fee — along with the stamp duty, the searches and the registration of the deed.

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