Question 1

What benefits do first-time buyers get in Malta in 2026?

Accepted Answer

First-time buyers in Malta get a stamp duty exemption on the first €200,000 of the property value (made permanent in Budget 2026), a €10,000 cash grant paid as €1,000 per year for 10 years for properties bought with a bank loan, and — for UCA or long-vacant properties — a duty exemption up to €750,000 plus cash grants of €15,000 in Malta or €30,000 in Gozo.

Question 2

How much stamp duty does a first-time buyer save in Malta?

Accepted Answer

The exemption on the first €200,000 saves up to €10,000 (5% × €200,000). For a €300,000 property, a first-time buyer pays duty only on €100,000 — €5,000 instead of €15,000. For qualifying UCA or vacant properties the exemption extends to the first €750,000.

Question 3

Who qualifies for the €10,000 first-time buyer grant?

Accepted Answer

Buyers acquiring their first primary residence in Malta or Gozo with a bank loan, for purchases made between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2026. The grant is paid in ten yearly instalments of €1,000 by the Commissioner for Tax and Customs.

Question 4

What is the Deposit Assistance Scheme in Malta?

Accepted Answer

A Housing Authority scheme helping buyers under 40 who can afford a loan but lack the 10% deposit: the government guarantees and finances the deposit through participating banks. From Budget 2026 it applies to properties valued up to €250,000.

Question 5

What counts as a UCA property in Malta?

Accepted Answer

Properties within an Urban Conservation Area, properties vacant for more than 7 years (commonly cited as long-vacant older stock), or new properties built in traditional Maltese style. These qualify for the extended duty exemption, the €15,000/€30,000 grant for first-time buyers, and a VAT refund of up to €54,000 on restoration costs.

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Malta First-Time Buyer Scheme 2026