Worldwide: Immigration

Third-country nationals seeking to bring family members to Malta face two distinct immigration pathways, each with different eligibility criteria, employment rights, and legal frameworks. Understanding the differences between the formal legal route under Subsidiary Legislation 217.06 and the more flexible Family Members Policy can significantly impact the success and timeline of family reunification applications.

Malta's Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) offers Turkish citizens and their families a pathway to permanent residency in an EU member state through real estate investment, government contributions, and charitable donations. The program provides lifetime residency status without mandatory physical presence requirements, combining tax advantages with access to the Schengen Area.

France has recently relaxed regulations governing the EU Blue Card, introducing new eligibility criteria regarding professional experience, shorter required durations for employment contracts, and relaxed regulations on mobility within the EU. These reforms are part of France's implementation of the requirements of the 2021 EU Blue Card Directive, with changes taking effect as of April 25, 2026.