Malta Election 2026: What Both Parties Promised Property Buyers

Malta goes to the polls on Saturday 30 May, and housing has been one of the loudest battlegrounds of the campaign. Both major parties published manifestos in mid-May with substantial property promises. Whoever wins, the cost of buying a first home in Malta is likely to fall — the question is by how much and for whom.

Here is what is actually on the table.

Labour's property platform ("Int Malta")

The governing Labour Party, seeking a historic fourth consecutive term under Robert Abela, is promising:

Bigger stamp duty exemption

The first-time buyer exemption would rise from €200,000 to €300,000. At the 5% rate, that is an additional €5,000 saving on top of the existing €10,000.

Notary and search fee refund

A €1,200 refund covering searches and notarial fees for first-time buyers. Combined with the stamp duty change, Labour says a first-time buyer would keep €6,200 more in their pocket.

Interest-free state equity loan

The most ambitious proposal: an interest-free loan of up to 25% of the property value, with the state holding it as collateral until repaid. On a €250,000 apartment, that is up to €62,500 of interest-free financing — potentially transformative for buyers who pass bank affordability tests but lack capital.

"Our Next Home" for growing families

First-time-buyer-style benefits (stamp duty relief, UCA incentives) extended to families with more than one child buying a larger home — effectively a second bite at the cherry for parents who outgrow their first apartment.

Inheritance exemption

Total stamp duty exemption for children receiving their parents' property as their primary residence.

Gozo top-up

An additional €15,000 grant for first-time buyers purchasing in Gozo, on top of existing schemes.

The Nationalist alternative

The PN under Alex Borg has campaigned heavily on affordability for young people, headlined by a tax exemption for under-30s and its own package of first-time buyer support, restoration grants for old properties, and planning reform promises aimed at construction quality and overdevelopment.

The PN has also leaned into criticism that current housing schemes inflate prices — arguing that demand-side subsidies without supply reform mostly benefit sellers and developers. Their pitch: stricter planning enforcement, incentives skewed toward restoring Malta's existing (often vacant) building stock rather than new builds.

What it means for the market

Three observations regardless of who wins:

1. Demand-side support is increasing. Both parties are promising more purchasing power for first-time buyers. Economists will tell you that subsidising demand in a supply-constrained market tends to push prices up — sellers of sub-€350,000 property stand to benefit either way.

1. The UCA/restoration theme is bipartisan. Both manifestos reward buyers of old and vacant properties in Urban Conservation Areas. If you have been weighing a house of character against a new-build, the incentive gap keeps widening in favour of character property.

1. Gozo is being actively subsidised. Between existing schemes and new promises, buying in Gozo as a first-time buyer could come with €25,000+ of combined state support. Gozo asking prices remain roughly half of Malta's — browse Gozo listings to see what that buys.

Should you wait until after the election to buy?

If you are a first-time buyer close to signing a konvenju on a property above €200,000, there is a genuine argument for waiting a few weeks: if the exemption threshold rises to €300,000, signing the final deed after the change could save you up to €5,000. Ask your notary about timing the deed — the konvenju itself can usually be signed now with a 3-month window.

If you are buying above €350,000 or are not a first-time buyer, the election changes little immediately — and mortgage rates and stock availability matter far more to your outcome.

We will publish a full analysis of the result and what it means for property the week after the vote. Meanwhile, you can compare what every agency lists in your budget on Darna's property search.