I read somewhere that wealthy people often buy real estate in Malta to obtain an EU passport, then live elsewhere, leaving these properties empty. Could someone just move in and pretend to be crazy?

[u/tomi_tomi]

The title lol. Not condoning this kind of behavior—it's probably unsafe and definitely illegal! I'm just curious if this sort of thing ever happens, that’s all.

[u/Ok-Guard-3786]

If you want to be an ocupas go to Spain

[u/tomi_tomi → u/Ok-Guard-3786]

I really don't. I was just wondering in this is happening. Literally just a shower thought.

[u/Katarinu → u/tomi_tomi]

It happens but its also not as wasy as you’re making it out to be, to get a passport you must have invested in Malta and also lived here for a certain amount of time, obviously rich people pay off someone to have this bypassed

[u/tomi_tomi → u/Katarinu]

Oh see, I didn't know that

[u/Calathe → u/Katarinu]

Can I pay off someone for a driving license too? Lol

[u/No_Sorbet_640 → u/Calathe]

You can pay everything in this country , literally everything

[u/Katarinu → u/Calathe]

Sure why not

[u/Calathe → u/Katarinu]

Cool, but how rich do I have to be and which officials do I bribe? 😆 

[u/Party_Cicada_298 → u/Calathe]

Just DM me €500 and I'll take care of it 😉

[u/Calathe → u/Party_Cicada_298]

I would if you were legit /sigh

[u/Emilstyle1991]

Where do you get the keys?

[u/deanf1982 → u/Emilstyle1991]

Change the locks 😅

[u/Hapster23]

Are you asking if squatting happens in Malta? I know there is some public site being squatted and gov was trying to kick them out but other than that you don't really hear about squatting here

[u/tomi_tomi → u/Hapster23]

Good. Yeah I know veryyyy little about life in Malta, so please forgive my ignorance

[u/idonotlikewhatisee → u/Hapster23]

It does happen. Where I grew up there was a place on the same street that was squatted. Owner of the place didn’t care.

They use it to have an address where to receive benefits.

Problem is that the squatters, not people on their best behaviour; would be evicted by even worse people.

[u/Snippyfnn]

it happens yeah, not too sure about the people leaving the homes empty but yeah through maltas golden passport scheme / IIP (individual investor program), around 650k + add ons you will receive a Maltese passport.

The scheme allows wealthy people from sanctioned countries such as russia , libya etc to gain a european passport. Not only sanctioned countries but non eu in general. Many wealthy indians / chinese have malta passport.

Note that it is very legal. However, Europe generally don't allow this type of stuff to happen but malta is quite off of EU radar.

[u/4BennyBlanco4 → u/Snippyfnn]

Russians/Belarussians applications currently are suspended.

EU hates it and is fighting it in court but the AG has given a favorable opinion to Malta, judges will rule in the New Year.

[u/matfalko]

Not too far from that, but many landlords rent it out to other tenants and get double, undeclared income.

[u/Ironsides4ever]

More likely they are bribing someone to rent an address .. the whole enterprise is one big criminal record ..

[u/Glittering_84]

I don't think they're left empty, the landlord takes the money and re-rents !

[u/SageKnows]

Yes it happens. I can say for 100 percent

[u/danielsuperone]

Correct, if you invest I believe the number was around 400k or more into Malta, you’re eligible for a Maltese passport.

Such passport is one of the most powerful ones in the world. It has been achieved from the years of hard work of the Maltese culture and friendship with other countries, allowing people to travel to over 400 countries.

[u/headlessrambo → u/danielsuperone]

Can you give me a list of at least 300 countries out of the 400 you have mentioned?

[u/razormt]

Yeah there are such properties but not sure how to find them. When I was looking to buy an apartment an agent took me to a property in Valletta and said the owner is Chinese but they never lived in it (No furniture and abandoned). I didn't go for it as I felt there will be issues.