S.L. 217.4 Art. 4Right of residence. Cap. 246.

(1) Any citizen of the Union may reside in Malta but where such residence is to exceed the period mentioned in regulation 3(2), or when, during the six month period mentioned in regulation 3(3), such citizen takes up employment, he shall apply for a permit and the Principal Immigration Officer shall, subject to the provisions of these regulations, issue the citizen and, where applicable, his dependants, with a residence permit or a residence document.

(2) Save as otherwise provided for in this regulation, a residence permit shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of issue and shall, in normal circumstances, be automatically renewable.

(3) Breaks in residence not exceeding six consecutive months and absence on military service shall not affect the validity of the residence permit.

(4) Without prejudice to any rights which dependants may enjoy in terms of these regulations, they shall have the right of residence in Malta only for as long as the right of residence of the citizen of the Union continues and the conditions mentioned therein continue to subsist.

(5) The Principal Immigration Officer shall facilitate the admission of a family member if such person is economically dependent upon the citizen of the Union or shares the same abode in the country where they resided before coming to Malta.

(6) A residence permit and, or, residence document shall specify whether the residence has been taken up for the purpose of long-term or permanent stay in Malta, for work, study or other purpose.

(7) Whenever a person wishes to change the scope for which a residence permit and, or, a residence document has been issued, he shall apply to the Principal Immigration Officer, and such Officer shall, subject to the provisions of these regulations in particular those relating to work, issue a new residence permit and, or, a residence document.

(8) The provisions of these regulations shall be without prejudice to the provisions of any law regulating the acquisition of property in Malta by non Maltese nationals and a residence permit or a residence document shall not, by itself, entitle the holder to acquire or hold property in Malta over and above what is regulated by the Immovable Property (Acquisiton by Non-Residents) Act.