Malta Budget 2027 – What Home Buyers Need to Know

If buying a home is part of your plans for next year, Malta’s Budget 2027 provides a useful opportunity to take stock of the financial support and incentives available to prospective homeowners.

Presented on 26 October 2026, the Budget placed greater emphasis on continuing existing support rather than introducing a completely new package for property buyers. Government confirmed that incentive schemes relating to purchasing and renovating homes, accommodation and renewable energy will be renewed in 2027.

For anyone considering buying property in Malta in 2027, here are some of the key measures and existing schemes worth knowing about.

What support is available for first-time buyers?

One of the main forms of support available is the First Time Buyer Scheme administered by the Housing Authority.

Eligible first-time buyers receive €10,000 over ten years, paid in annual instalments of €1,000 following the purchase of their first home. The scheme was updated in 2026, with assistance increasing to €20,000 for qualifying applicants holding a valid EU Disability Card.

Its scope has also been broadened to cover certain buyers who previously owned a residential property but no longer own another property and are purchasing a new home as their sole and primary residence.

Full eligibility details and applications are available through the Housing Authority’s First Time Buyer Scheme page: https://housingauthority.gov.mt/scheme/first-time-buyer-scheme/

Can first-time buyers still benefit from a stamp duty exemption?

Another significant saving available to qualifying first-time buyers is an exemption from stamp duty on the first €200,000 of the value of their first residence.

This can considerably reduce the upfront cost associated with purchasing a home and is therefore worth considering when calculating your overall buying budget.

Eligibility is confirmed through the notary handling the transaction, who will carry out the necessary searches and declarations.

More information on the First Time Buyer Stamp Duty Exemption is available through the Government’s official services portal: https://www.servizz.gov.mt/en/Services/web-04488

What if saving the deposit is the biggest hurdle?

For some younger buyers, the challenge is not necessarily meeting monthly home loan repayments but accumulating the deposit required at the promise of sale stage.

The Housing Authority’s 10% Deposit Scheme is intended to address this issue for eligible buyers aged between 21 and 39.

Under the scheme, the bank provides the 10% deposit through a personal loan repayable over 25 years, while the Housing Authority covers the interest. The maximum property value under the current scheme is €250,000.

This can provide another route into homeownership for buyers who qualify for a home loan but have not yet accumulated the necessary upfront savings.

Full conditions are available here: https://housingauthority.gov.mt/scheme/10-deposit-scheme/

Is there support for finishing your first home?

The purchase price is only one part of the cost of becoming a homeowner. Finishing, construction or rehabilitation works can represent another considerable expense.

The Grant on First Residence provides qualifying first time homeowners with financial assistance towards eligible works.

Under the current scheme, applicants can receive up to €5,824 based on eligible fiscal receipts, with an additional €1,165 available for qualifying works on properties built before 1990.

The scheme can therefore be particularly relevant when budgeting for the period between purchasing a property and making it ready to live in.

Details can be found through the Housing Authority: https://housingauthority.gov.mt/scheme/grant-on-first-residence-scheme/

Are there other grants for particular types of property?

Additional incentives have also been available for first-time buyers purchasing certain categories of homes, including properties within Urban Conservation Areas, older properties that have been vacant for several years and qualifying new properties built according to established guidelines.

Under the currently published scheme, qualifying purchases can benefit from additional financial assistance depending on the property and location.

However, buyers planning a purchase during 2027 should note an important distinction. Existing published conditions for some of these grants currently refer to purchases made by 31 December 2026. Budget 2027 has confirmed that incentives relating to home purchases and renovations will be renewed, but prospective buyers should check the updated 2027 terms once these are formally published before factoring any grant into their budget.

Current information on the Grant for First Time Buyers can be found at: https://finance.gov.mt/grants/

What else did Budget 2027 say about property?

Budget 2027 also announced measures intended to increase transparency around certain property transactions.

These relate particularly to structures involving matters such as the sale of airspace and transactions involving intermediaries, with greater disclosure of the overall agreed consideration and strengthened valuation and verification procedures envisaged.

For the typical homebuyer, this reinforces a wider principle that is always worth following when purchasing property: understand exactly what you are buying, what is included in the transaction and what appears in the contractual documentation before committing.

Making the most of the support available in 2027

Buying a home is rarely about the advertised property price alone. Buyers also need to consider their deposit, financing, stamp duty, notarial expenses, finishing costs and ongoing household expenses.

Government schemes can help reduce some of these costs, but eligibility varies and conditions may change. It is therefore worth speaking to the relevant authority, your bank and your notary early in the process rather than waiting until a promise of sale has already been signed.

At PLAN Homes, supporting buyers goes beyond developing quality homes. The team can help prospective homeowners understand the different stages of the buying process and explore properties that suit their lifestyle, requirements and budget.

If buying a home is part of your plans for 2027, explore PLAN Homes developments or speak to the team about your options at: https://planhomes.com.mt/contact-us/