How is stamp duty on property in Malta calculated in 2026?
When you buy immovable property in Malta the buyer pays "duty on documents and transfers" — commonly called stamp duty. It is charged on the dutiable value, which is the HIGHER of the agreed price or the open-market value of the property, so this calculator treats the price you enter as the dutiable value (enter the market value instead if it is higher). The standard rate is 5%. In practice 1% is paid provisionally when you sign the promise of sale (konvenju) and the 4% balance falls due on the final deed, but the total duty is unchanged by that split. Malta then layers several reliefs on top, and you claim only one: First-time buyers acquiring their sole residence pay 0% on the first €200,000 of value and 5% on anything above — a scheme made permanent in Budget 2026. Owner-occupiers who are NOT first-time buyers but are acquiring their sole/ordinary residence get a reduced 3.5% on the first €200,000 and 5% on the excess. Second-time buyers replacing their sole residence within 12 months pay the full 5% on the deed but have the duty on the first €86,000 of value refunded (a maximum refund of €4,300). Buyers of property in an Urban Conservation Area, scheduled property, or property vacant 7+ years or built 20+ years ago pay 0% on the first €750,000 and 3.5% on the balance, for transfers by 31 December 2026. The historic Gozo 2% rate expired for acquisitions after 31 December 2023 and is not offered here. Worked example: on a property price of €350,000 taken as the dutiable value, the standard 5% duty is €17,500.00. A first-time buyer pays 0% on the first €200,000 and 5% on the remaining €150,000 = €7,500.00 — a saving of €10,000.00 versus standard. An owner-occupier (not first-time) pays 3.5% × €200,000 + 5% × €150,000 = €7,000 + €7,500 = €14,500.00, saving €3,000.00. A second-time buyer pays 5% × €350,000 = €17,500 less a €4,300.00 refund on the first €86,000, giving net duty of €13,200.00. A UCA / old-property buyer pays 0% because €350,000 is below the €750,000 band, so the duty is €0.00.
Official source: CFR Malta (MTCA) · Data updated: 2026-06-02