Two EU countries that actively court foreign investors — but with very different tax approaches. Malta's 0% CGT after one year makes it a standout for capital gains; Portugal's D7 and golden visa offer easier residency paths. Here's how they stack up for serious investors.

Disclaimer: Tax rates, investment rules, and visa programs change frequently. The data below is for informational purposes only — always verify with official sources and consult qualified professionals. Read full disclaimer

Investment Overview

Metric	🇲🇹 Malta	🇵🇹 Portugal
Capital Gains Tax	0% after 1yr hold	28%
Property Access	Foreigners OK	Foreigners OK
Investment Visa	None specific	None specific
Monthly Budget	—	from €1,500
Crypto Regulation	Evolving	Evolving

Capital Gains Tax

🇲🇹 Malta

0% after 1yr hold

Capital Gains Tax

🇵🇹 Portugal

28%

Capital Gains Tax

Malta has the tax advantage with 0% after 1yr hold capital gains tax vs 28%. Your effective rate may differ based on holding periods, asset type, and treaty benefits.

Property Investment

🇲🇹 Malta

Foreigners OK

Freehold ownership

🇵🇹 Portugal

Foreigners OK

Freehold ownership

Investment Visa Programs

🇲🇹 Malta

None specific

🇵🇹 Portugal

None specific

Key Investment Insights

🇲🇹 Malta

Capital gains tax: 0% after 1yr hold — relatively competitive compared to high-tax Western countries
Golden Visa / Investment Visa: minimum €300,000 property — Or €150K rent + donation
No major local stock exchange — international platforms are the primary route to equity investing
Capital gains tax: 0% after 1yr hold

Full investing guide

🇵🇹 Portugal

Capital gains tax: 28% — plan your investment strategy around holding periods and tax-advantaged accounts
Golden Visa / Investment Visa: minimum €500,000 fund — Real estate route closed 2023
Local stock exchange: Euronext Lisbon — access to domestic equities, bonds, and ETFs
Capital gains tax: 28%

Full investing guide

Related Investing Comparisons

🇵🇹 Portugal vs 🇪🇸 Spain

Compare Portugal and Spain for expat investors. Capital gains tax, property rules, visa options, and tax-efficient strategies side-by-side. Spain's Golden Visa ended April 2025.

Compare investing

🇵🇹 Portugal vs 🇬🇷 Greece

Portugal vs Greece for expat investors. Compare golden visa programs, property markets, capital gains tax, and residency-by-investment pathways in Southern Europe.

Compare investing

🇵🇹 Portugal vs 🇲🇽 Mexico

Portugal vs Mexico for property investment. Compare rental yields, capital gains tax, golden visa programs, and real estate markets in the world's two most popular expat destinations.

Compare investing

Malta vs Portugal Investing — FAQ

Which has lower capital gains tax — Malta or Portugal?

Malta has lower capital gains tax at 0% after 1yr hold, compared to 28% in Portugal. Consider holding periods and treaty benefits that may further reduce your effective rate.

Can foreigners buy property in Malta and Portugal?

In Malta, property access for foreigners is: Foreigners OK (Freehold ownership). In Portugal: Foreigners OK (Freehold ownership). Always use a local lawyer for property transactions.

Does Malta or Portugal have a golden visa program?

Malta: None specific. Portugal: None specific. Golden visa programs can change frequently — verify current requirements before committing capital.

Which is cheaper for expats — Malta or Portugal?

Both countries have similar monthly costs: Malta at and Portugal at from €1,500.

Which is better for crypto investors — Malta or Portugal?

Crypto regulation in Malta: Evolving. In Portugal: Evolving. Capital gains tax (which typically applies to crypto) is 0% after 1yr hold in Malta and 28% in Portugal. Crypto-specific rules are evolving rapidly in both jurisdictions.

Location Intelligence

Decided on a country? Now find the right street.

Use SpotFic to analyze any business location in Malta or Portugal — get foot traffic, competitor maps, demographics, SWOT analysis, and a 90-day launch plan.

Analyze a Location Free Works anywhere on Google Maps

✨ AI Day Simulator

Live a day in Malta or Portugal before you invest

Real cafes, actual costs, mapped routes — personalized to your lifestyle. Experience both countries before you commit.

Simulate Your Day

Not sure where to invest?

Take our free quiz — AI matches you with the best countries based on your budget, lifestyle, and investment goals.

Take the Free Quiz

Expat Investing Insights

Tax updates, property market trends, and investing strategies for expats — straight to your inbox.

🇲🇹 Malta Investing Guide 🇵🇹 Portugal Investing Guide All comparisons