Malta Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs)
There are several beautiful and historically important villages in Malta, some of which are protected zones. These zones fall under the title of “Urban Conservation Areas” (UCAs) which are essentially areas of architectural or historic importance that, by law, are carefully protected, preserved, and managed. Such areas often comprise centuries-old farmhouses or houses of a character possessing traditional balconies, brightly painted windows and doors, and even old features such as wells, troughs, or horse tethering rings. The streets in the area may be twisting and narrow with small alleyways or limestone-paved stairways for pedestrians on the side.
Owning or renting a historic Maltese home in an Urban Conservation Area is highly desirable. They are beautiful, unique, and of deep cultural importance, but it is also an important responsibility. The properties in Malta’s UCAs are, by law, required to be managed and monitored by Malta’s Planning Authority to abide by Malta’s Cultural Heritage Act. When one owns a historic building, one has a responsibility to preserve it for future generations and studies of Malta’s architectural styles. The Three Cities are in the UCAs area.
Malta GRANTS for UCAs
Grant on the Restoration and Finishing of Privately Owned Residential Properties:
The Ministry for Finance and Employment has launched the following grant scheme, that will reimburse eligible expenditure that is incurred by the applicant related to the restoration and finishing of privately owned residential properties within Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs), properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, and new properties that are developed in conformity with approved criteria as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the Board appointed by the Minister responsible for finance.
Between the 12th of October 2021 and the 31st of December 2024, eligible applicants may apply twice on each property for a grant of 18% on the costs of restoration and finishing up to an aggregate maximum of €54,000 for each property.
Grant for first-time buyers:
The Ministry for Finance and Employment has launched the following grant scheme, that ms to incentivise and assist first-time buyers that purchase residential properties within Urban Conservfirst-times (UCAs), properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, and new properties that are developed in conformity with approved criteria as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the Board appointed by the Minister responsible for finance.
Eligible applicants will receive a maximum grant of €15,000 if the property purchased is in Malta and a maximum of €30,000 if the property purchased is in Gozo. The actual amount allocated will be established on a pro-rata basis according to the share of the property being acquired.
Who's eligible?
Any Maltese citizen/resident or EU National who is over 18 years old and owns a home is eligible to qualify for Malta’s property grants and tax rebates.
Contact Cristina for more info on how to apply