Government Notices published in Government Gazette No. 21,366 of 24th December 2024

IT is notified for general information that the Hon. Robert Abela, KUOM, BA, LLD, Adv. Trib. Melit., MP, resumed duties as Prime Minister on Friday, 20th December, 2024, and that the arrangements made by Government Notice No.1784 of the 17th December, 2024, ceased to have effect accordingly.

IT is notified for general information that the following Acts are published in the Supplement to this Gazette:

​Act No. XL of 2024 entitled the Appropriation (2025) Act, 2024; and

Act No. XLI of 2024 entitled the Second (2024) Appropriation Act, 2024.

IT is notified for general information that the following Legal Notices were published in the Supplement to the Government Gazette No. 21,362 of 17th December, 2024 (Legal Notices 341 to 355).

L.N. 341 of 2024: Employment and Industrial Relations Act (Cap. 452); Adaptation of Laws (Wages Council Wage Regulation Orders) Order, 2024.

​L.N. 342 of 2024: Employment and Industrial Relations Act (Cap. 452); National Minimum Wage National Standard Order, 2024.

L.N. 343 of 2024: Employment and Industrial Relations Act (Cap. 452); Wage Increase (Employees) National Standard Order, 2024.

L.N. 344 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Third Schedule) Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 345 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Fifth Schedule) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations, 2024.

​L.N. 346 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Sixth Schedule) Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 347 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Eleventh Schedule) Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 348 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Twelfth Schedule) Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 349 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Thirteenth Schedule) Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 350 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Fourteenth Schedule)Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 351 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax (Declaration by Exempt Persons) (Repeal) Regulations, 2024.

​L.N. 352 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax (Recapitulative Statement of Intra-community Transactions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 353 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax (Tax Period) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 354 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Eighth Schedule) Regulations, 2024.

L.N. 355 of 2024: Value Added Tax Act (Cap. 406); Value Added Tax Act (Amendment of Fifth Schedule) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations, 2024.

IT is notified that in exercise of such powers as provided by Article 3 of the Commissioners for Oaths Ordinance (Cap. 79) the Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector appointed as Commissioners for Oaths, in the performance of their duties and for as long as they remain in such office, the undermentioned:

Persons who perform functions relating to the foreign service of the Government outside Malta

Sammut, Ms Anneliese ‒ Consul General, Consulate General of Malta in Sydney, Australia

Public Officers/Public Employees

Fenech, Constable Sara ‒ Malta Police Force

Buhagiar, Mr Louis ‒ Senior Executive (Legal Affairs), Jobsplus

Facciol, Mr Stephen ‒ Senior Executive (Inspectorate and Law Compliance), Jobsplus

Advocates

Attard, Dr Désirée

Barbieri, Dr Gianluca

Cuschieri, Dr Catriona

Spiteri, Dr Adriano

By Authority

Jonathan Attard

Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector

Appointment of Notary Delegate/Keeper

IT is hereby notified that in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 20 of the Notarial Profession and Notarial Archives Act, the Court of Revision of Notarial Acts has appointed Notary Dr Mario Felice to be notary delegate and keeper of the Acts for Notary Dr Marthese Felice for the period between the 21st December, 2024 and the 4th January, 2025.

Today Monday, 23rd December, 2024

Adrian Micallef

Deputy Registrar, Court of Revision of Notarial Acts

Appointment of Notary Delegate/Keeper

IT is hereby notified that in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 20 of the Notarial Profession and Notarial Archives Act, the Court of Revision of Notarial Acts has appointed Notary Dr Marco Buttigieg to be notary delegate and keeper of the Acts for Notary Dr Luca Burlò for the period between the 1st January, 2025 and the 8th January, 2025.

Today Monday, 23rd December, 2024

Adrian Micallef

Deputy Registrar, Court of Revision of Notarial Acts

THE Commissioner of Inland Revenue notifies that, on the date shown hereunder, the price of gold and silver on which valuations made by the Consul for Goldsmiths and Silversmiths are based has been fixed for the purposes of article 14 of the said Act as follows:

Completion of Road Formation and Traffic and Parking Suspension

In virtue of Article eighteen (18) of Legal Notice 291 of 2018, the Agency for Infrastructure Malta hereby gives official notice of its intention to complete the formation of:

Triq Kurat Calleja and part of Triq it-Torri, Mosta (indicated on site plan on page 30,076).

Triq Edward Pirotta, Naxxar (indicated on site plan on page 30,077).

Triq l-Isqof Gargallo/part of Triq ir-Rgħajja, Mosta (indicated on site plan on page 30,078).

Any person who is obliged by law to form said road (including by acquiring land necessary for the same formation) has fifteen (15) days from the date of the publication of this notice within which to comply with his obligations at law. In default, the Agency for Infrastructure Malta shall itself proceed with the formation of this road in accordance with its powers at law and at the expense of those persons whose obligation it is to form the road.

​The Agency for Infrastructure Malta notifies that between 6th January, 2025 and 30th June, 2025, it will be starting road works in Triq Kurat Calleja and part of Triq it-Torri, Mosta. Vehicular access and on-street parking in this road may be restricted during certain works. 'No parking' signs authorised by Transport Malta will be affixed on site before such parking restrictions come in force.

The Agency for Infrastructure Malta notifies that between 6th January, 2025 and 30th June, 2025, it will be starting road works in Triq Edward Pirotta, Naxxar. Vehicular access and on-street parking in this road may be restricted during certain works. 'No parking' signs authorised by Transport Malta will be affixed on site before such parking restrictions come in force.

The Agency for Infrastructure Malta notifies that between 6th January, 2025 and 30th June, 2025, it will be starting road works in Triq l-Isqof Gargallo/part of Triq ir-Rgħajja, Mosta. Vehicular access and on-street parking in this road may be restricted during certain works. 'No parking' signs authorised by Transport Malta will be affixed on site before such parking restrictions come in force.

Vehicles found in contravention to the order of this notice and to the related 'no parking' signs on site are liable to be towed.

Further assistance or more information may be obtained by email to (info.im@infrastructuremalta.com).

Assistance to church and Independent Schools related to Capital expenditure in the Implementation of Educational Reforms for All Children to Succeed

IN accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of Government Notice.1518, 'Assistance toChurch and Independent Schools related to Capital expenditure in the Implementation of Educational Reforms for All Children to Succeed' which was published, on the 31st of December 2020, in Government Gazette number 20,548, the Ministry for Finance, together with the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation are notifying the public that the grant scheme is being renewed for a period of one  year, up to 31st December, 2025.

This scheme aims to provide assistance to Church and Independent Schools with regards to capital expenditure related to the implementation of the 'Transition from Primary to Secondary School Reform', so that students in these schools may also benefit from the highest quality of educational environment.

1.  Interpretation

In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

​'applicant' means a person, who on the date of application is officially recognised as the Head of the Church School or Independent School, or temporarily acting in that capacity, in which school the works of a capital nature are to be carried out, and on whose behalf such person is applying for the assistance which may be granted under this scheme;

'effective date' means 1st January, 2025;

'Malta' means the Maltese Islands;

​'fiscal receipt' means a receipt as defined in the Thirteenth Schedule to the Value Added Tax (Chap. 406), as subsequently amended, and also includes any regulation made by the same Act;

'Church school' means:

(i) an institution the resources of which, both of person and of things, are ordained towards the promotion of the education and training of other persons through the dissemination of knowledge in accordance with article 2 of the Education Act (Cap 327); and

(ii) an institution that is authorized by the Bishops in Ordinary of Malta to operate as Church school in accordance with article 20 of the Education Act (Cap 327); and

(iii) an institution providing compulsory education at primary and/or secondary level/s, and

(iv) an institution which already has a valid license to operate as a school in full compliance of the Education Act (Cap 327) at the time of application for the Grant;

​'Independent school' means:

(v) institution the resources of which, both of person and of things, are ordained towards the promotion of the education and training of other persons through the dissemination of knowledge in accordance with article 2 of the Education Act (Cap 327); and

​(vi) an institution providing compulsory education at primary and/or secondary level/s, and

(vii) an institution which already has a valid license to operate as a school, in full compliance of the Education Act (Cap 327) at the time of application for the Grant; 

'works of a capital nature' means:

Works of a capital nature and services directly related, undertaken to directly improve the quality of teaching and learning. These may include the construction/upgrading and completion phase incurred in order for a school to extend its teaching services in the primary or secondary level, as may be required, and directly related services such as architect fees, Planning Authority (PA) processing fees, consultancy fees originally envisaged in the planning stages of the works of a capital nature, etc. Such works may include buildings works, and the fixture of the apertures and the electrical and plumbing installations. Such works may also include the complete furnishing of the related extension or other parts of the school, which among other things include the chairs, the tables, the whiteboards, the shelves, the computers, the playgrounds and sports facilities and other items, without which, the extension of the school would not be recognised as having reached the required standard as requested. Such works and services have to be approved by the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education. In the case of Church schools, such works need to be authorised as well by the Bishops Ordinary of Malta.

​2. Area of applicability

This scheme relates to the works of a capital nature incurred by a Church or independent school, and which works of a capital nature were carried out from the effective date or afterwards and completed by the end of December, 2025.

3. Expenditure to be reported

The expenditure to be reported is in respect of works of a capital nature as defined in section one (1) of this scheme.

4. Manner of application and supporting documents required:

(i) Applications under this scheme are to be made on the form set out in the schedule to this scheme and to contain all the information, details and documents as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme.

(ii) Applications are to be accompanied by the documents shown hereunder:

​(a) a copy of the Identity Card of the applicant or, in the absence of an Identity Card, any other official document;

(b) both the original fiscal receipt/s and the commercial invoices authenticated by the Head of School, and by a warranted architect where applicable, relating to the works of a capital nature as defined in Clause one (1) of this Scheme. In the case where the supplier of goods/services is exempted from issuing a fiscal receipt an endorsed statement to this effect is to be supplied by the supplier together with the commercial invoices.

​In the case of school furniture and equipment referred to in the interpretation of 'works of a capital nature', not purchased in Malta, the original invoices of the purchase of such items issued by the supplier together with the delivery note/s, the original documentary proof that final payment has been affected, and clearance from MaltaPost/Department of Customs Malta, as may be required. These documents must confirm that such items were really purchased; the expenditure costs, and which costs include duty and VAT as may be required, were really paid in full; and that such purchase was affected by the school applying for the grant under this scheme for the same school. Such purchased items must also conform to EU standard safety regulations, as may be required.

These documents are to be endorsed by the Head of School;

(c) where applicable, an official certificate issued by the warranted architect confirming that the eligible works of a capital nature as described in the application form are in conformity with all the existing regulations and laws, and in accordance with the necessary permits issued by PA, as well as the consent of third parties, if and as may be required for the works to be carried out;

(d) where applicable, an officially endorsed copy of the PA approval of the works of a capital nature as described in the application form;

(e) where applicable, an officially endorsed copy of the PA Compliance Certificate of the said works of a capital nature;

(f) any other document which the Ministry for Finance, may, from time to time, require.

(iii) Only those applications that are in conformity with all the provisions of this scheme shall be eligible for payment of the assistance referred to in Clause 5 of this scheme.

​(iv) Applications under this scheme, including the documents that are to be submitted with the application, shall be submitted/addressed to 'Grant Scheme to Church and Independent Schools, Office of the Director General, Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education, (DQSE) Level 1, Joseph Abela Scolaro Street, Hamrun, HMR 1304, not later than three (3) months from the completion date of the works of a capital nature undertaken by the school, as evidenced by the date of the last relevant receipt.

Consideration will also be given to applications for grants related to the completion of different work phases that fall in between the commencement of works and their complete termination.

Application forms are accessible on (https://finance.gov.mt/en/Services/Pages/Grants.aspx).

5. Assistance payable under this Scheme

Eligible applicants may apply for a grant of 15.25% on the qualifying expenditure that has been paid in full and incurred for works of a capital nature as explained at section 2 of this scheme.

​6. Payment of Grant

The grant will be paid to the applicant by cheque posted to the address shown on the application.

7. Validity of application

​An application shall not be deemed to be valid unless:

(a) it is full and complete in all material aspects;

​(b) it is accompanied by all the relevant documentation or details as required;

8. Duration of the Scheme

This Scheme shall remain in force till 31st December 2025 as described in Section 2 of this Notice and shall cease thereafter to be in force. This scheme may be modified or terminated by means of a Notice in the Government Gazette and shall be renewed as deemed necessary through another Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. State Aid

​With reference to section 5, this scheme will be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/2831 of 13th December, 2023, on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid.

Church and Independent schools applying for this grant should make sure that they are within the limits of State Aid and will have to fill the attached form on State Aid.

10. Amendments to the Scheme

The Minister for Finance reserves the right to make any amendments to this scheme by the publication of the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

​11. Transitory provisions

Applications made under this scheme relating to works of a capital nature and which works, or phases of such works, were carried out between the effective date and the date of publication of this Notice shall be deemed to be valid applications under this scheme, provided that the applications satisfy all the conditions stipulated in this Notice.

In these transitory cases, applications shall be submitted within three (3) months from the date of publication of this Notice.

SCHEDULES

​Schedule A – Application Form (pages 30,093 to 30,098).

Schedule B – State Aid Declaration Form (pages 30,101 to 30,102).

Grant for first time buyers

WITH reference to Government Notice number 1605, that was published on the 10th of December 2021 in Government Gazette number 20,748, and the subsequent Government Notice No. 385 published in Government Gazette No. 20,832 of the 12th April, 2022, the grant scheme 'Grant for first time buyers' is being amended as follows.

The Ministry for Finance has launched the following grant scheme, that aims to incentivise and assist first time buyers that purchase 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 built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

1. Interpretation

​In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means any person who is a resident in Malta, who is a first-time buyer and officially recognised as being the owner of a private residential Urban Conservation Area (UCA) property, or the owner of a private residential property that has been built for more than 20 years and has been vacant for more than seven years, or the owner of a new private residential property built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority and which person is applying for a grant under this scheme;

'competent authority' means a board or other entity designated or appointed by the Minister responsible for finance for the purpose of this grant.

'effective date' means the 1st January, 2025;

'Malta' means the Maltese Islands;

​'application' means an application for the grant under this scheme made in such manner as required and in terms of this scheme;

'First time buyers' means those persons acquiring their first immovable property, acquired inter vivos and which is intended for their sole ordinary residence. No other property should have been bought before.

'property' means, properties that are within an UCA, properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, and new properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority and which property is used by the applicant for residential purposes only;

​'privately owned residential property' means a building owned by a private person and which property is used for private residential purposes only;

'new properties' means properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

'person' means a natural person and does not include any organisational entity;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and Other Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or equivalent documentation issued by a competent national authority;

'Urban Conservation Area (UCA)' means an area within the Maltese Islands that is legally designated as an area of buildings having collective heritage value according to Article 57 of the Development Planning Act of 2016, as subsequently amended and in accordance with the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED) TO8 UO2, UO3 and others and as listed in the Local Plans.

2. Area of applicability

(i) This scheme relates to eligible applicants that are acquiring their first immovable property. The property for which the grant is being applied for must be the applicant's first immovable property acquired inter vivos by the applicant and is acquired for sole and ordinary residence and which property is a privately owned residential property as defined in section one, which property was purchased from the effective date or afterwards, as proven by date on deed of Acquisition of property.

(ii) To be eligible for the grant, applicants must be compliant and have first registered their deed of acquisition with the Malta Tax and Customs Administration in terms of Subsidiary Legislation 364.19 Relief from Income Tax and from Duty on Documents and Transfers on Certain Property Transfers Rules, and have submitted legal proof and a declaration that they are first time buyers and that this is their first immovable property acquired inter vivos in line with the requisites of Article 3 of Subsidiary Legislation 364.12, Exemption of Duty in terms of Article 23 Order.

​This Grant applies to eligible properties that were purchased between 1st January, 2025 and 31st December, 2025. However, when it comes to owners of new properties, they can only apply for the grant once the property is built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

This Grant also applies to those that on the 1st January, 2025 were on a promise of sale (konvenju) and had not yet closed the deed of acquisition.

For properties in Gozo for which the deed of acquisition was signed prior to the effective date but which have yet not received the grant, the €30,000 grant would apply and the deed of acquisition date would be the cut off date in terms of the eligible grant due. For properties in Gozo for which the deed of acquisition was signed on or after the effective date, the €40,000 grant would apply.

​(iii) The property that benefits from the scheme cannot be divided, whereby the number of residential units will remain the same. If the property subsequently re-developed into separate residential units, the applicant will have to refund the full amount of the grant paid to them under this Grant.

(iv) Only one property per applicant is eligible to qualify for support under this scheme and an applicant can only be eligible for a grant under this scheme once.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents required:

Applications under this scheme shall be made only via the official electronic portal/s and must contain all the information, details and documentation as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme.

(i) The applicant must also provide any other document which the Ministry responsible for finance, may from time to time require. An application shall not be deemed to have been submitted unless it is full and complete in all material respects and unless it contains all the information and is accompanied by all the documentation requested therein.

(ii) Only those applications that are found to conform with the provisions of this scheme shall be eligible for payment of the grant referred to in section 4 of the scheme. In the case of a fraudulent application criminal action in terms of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken against the applicant.

(iii) When it comes to owners of a private residential Urban Conservation Area (UCA) property or the owners of a private residential property that has been built for more than 20 years and has been vacant for more than seven years, applications under this scheme, should be submitted by not later than six months from the purchase of the property as evidenced by the date on deed of acquisition of property. Applications received 'late', that is after the six months period, shall be deemed to be invalid applications.

(iv) For a period of not less than two years from the submitted application applicants may be requested to present the original documents upon which the claim is being made. Failure to produce any such documents upon request, applicants will be obliged to refund the amount paid under the scheme and in the case of a fraudulent applications criminal action in terms of article 309 of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken.

4. Grant payable under this scheme

​Eligible applicants may apply for a maximum grant of €15,000 if the property purchased is in Malta and a maximum of €40,000 if the property purchased is in Gozo. In the case of property acquired in Gozo, the grant due is determined in terms of Clause 2 of this notice.

The actual amount allocated will be established on a pro rata basis according to the share of the property being acquired.

​5. Payment of Grant

The grant will be credited to the applicant, in the bank account that is indicated in the application.

6. Amendments to the Scheme

​The Ministry responsible for finance reserves the right to make any amendments to this scheme by the publication of the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

7. Duration of the scheme

This Scheme shall be deemed to have commenced on the 1st January, 2025 and shall remain in force till the 31st of December, 2025. This scheme may be modified or terminated by means of a Notice in the Government Gazette and shall be renewed as deemed necessary through another Notice in the Government Gazette.

8. Transitory Provisions

Applications for the grant that cover the period between and during the effective date and the date of publication of this Government Notice shall be deemed to be valid applications under this scheme provided that the application falls within the eligibility criteria.

In these transitory cases, when it comes to private residential Urban Conservation Area (UCA) properties or private residential properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, applications shall be submitted within six months from the date of publication of this Government Notice.

​Grant on the Restoration and Finishing of Privately Owned Residential Properties

WITH reference to Government Notice number 1604, published in Government Gazette number 20,748 of the 10th December, 2021, this grant scheme is being amended as follows.

​In order to implement the Measures identified in the Budget, the Minister for Finance has extended the following grant scheme, that aims to promote investment in the restoration and finishes 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 built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

1. Interpretation

In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means any person who is a resident in Malta, who is 18 years or over on the date of application, who is officially recognised as being the owner of a private residential Urban Conservation Area (UCA) property, or the owner of a private residential property that has been built for more than 20 years and has been vacant for more than seven years, or the owner of a new private residential property built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority and which person is applying for a grant under this scheme;

'competent authority' means a board or other entity designated or appointed by the Minister responsible for finance for the purpose of this grant.

'effective date' means the 12th October, 2021;

'Malta' means the Maltese Islands;

​'application' means an application for the grant under this scheme made in such manner as required and in terms of this scheme;

'property' means, properties that are within an UCA, properties that have been built for more than 20 years and have been vacant for more than seven years, and new properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority and which property is used by the applicant for residential purposes only;

'privately residential property' means a building owned by a private person and which property is used for private residential purposes only;

​'new properties' means properties built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

'finishing works' means, the final part of the construction process, which includes the exterior and interior finishing of the building including plastering and painting, electricity and plumbing, tiles and marble, internal and external doors, windows and bathrooms.

'person' means a natural person and does not include any organisational entity;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and Other Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or equivalent documentation issued by a competent national authority;

'fiscal receipt' means a receipt as defined in the Thirteenth Schedule to the Value Added Tax Act (Cap.406), as subsequently amended, and also includes any regulation made by the same Act;

'eligible expenditure' means the total final costs including VAT that has been paid in full, directly related to the restoration, and finishing, works on the private residential property and which works are completed and paid for within the eligible period.

Eligible expenditure includes the cost of works performed in conjunction with the scheme, comprising cost of:

a. materials,

b. labour,

​c. hire of equipment,

d. professional fees (architect's fees, specialist consultancy, project management costs) - these shall be capped at maximum rate of 10% of the total eligible expenditure applied for in each application.

e. planning permit fees and other government charges that are directly related to restoration and finishing.

'Urban Conservation Area (UCA)' means an area within the Maltese Islands that is legally designated as an area of buildings having collective heritage value according to Article 57 of the Development Planning Act of 2016, as subsequently amended and in accordance with the Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED) TO8 UO2, UO3 and others and as listed in the Local Plans.

'works' means any works aimed at the restoration and finishing of private residential properties in Urban Conservation Area (UCA), property that has been built for more than 20 years and has been vacant for seven years, and property that are built and finished as defined by the established guidelines and approved by the competent authority.

2. Area of applicability

(i) This scheme relates to the eligible expenditure that is incurred by the applicant and is directly related to the restoration and finishing of privately owned properties as defined in section one.

(ii) This grant applies for those who are going to buy or already have these types of properties and wish to restore and finish these properties and for those who have already bought the property prior to the Budget 2022 presented on the 11th October, 2021 and have done restoration and finishing works starting from 12th October, 2021.

(iii) A property that benefits from the grant cannot be divided, whereby the number of residential units will remain the same. If the property is subsequently re-developed into separate residential units, the applicants will have to refund the full amount of the grant paid to them under this Grant.

(iv) An applicant can apply for the grant on multiple properties, where he/she will get an aggregate maximum of €54,000 on each property. Consideration will be given to applications for grants related to the completion of different work phases that fall in between the commencement of works and their complete termination, whereby during the period between 12th October, 2021 and the 31st December, 2025, an applicant can apply twice under the grant, for each property subject to the aggregate maximum threshold of €54,000 on each property.

(v) Furthermore, the applicant cannot apply for another grant for the same type of restoration and finishing works on the same property, within five years from the award of a grant under this scheme or under any other similar schemes, issued by the Maltese Government or any public entity.

(vi) Any works performed under this scheme must be covered by a valid PA development permit, where applicable an approved Restoration Method Statement, and other authorisation as required by law.

(vii) Applications involving one or more items listed in the list shown hereunder shall not be considered:

(a) Sanctioning of unauthorised works,

(b) sites that have a pending PA enforcement cases or a pending regularisation application;

(c) development illegalities;

(d) demolitions;

(e) restoration/conservation of movable objects, artefacts or furnishings;

(f) reinstatement and reconstruction where there are lack of historic evidence of detail and design (Applicable for properties in UCAs);

(g) alterations, additions, and improvements which do not qualify as restoration or finishing.

3. Expenditure to be reported

The expenditure to be reported is in respect of works of restoration and finishing as defined in section one (1) of this scheme

4. Manner of application and supporting documents required:

Applications under this scheme shall be made only via the official electronic portal/s and must contain all the information, details and documents as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme and any other documents which the Ministry responsible for finance, may, from time to time require.

In cases where an applicant intends to apply for the grant on more than one property, he must submit a separate application for each property the applicant is applying for.

(i) Applications are to be accompanied by the documents shown hereunder:

(a) Submission of a certificate issued by the PA certifying that the property falls within a UCA, in accordance with article 57 of the Development Planning Act or any Act which may be substituted therefor (Only applicable for properties in UCA);

(b) Fiscal receipts in the name of applicant, showing payments made by the applicant on goods purchased and works carried out related to restoration and finishing of property. The fiscal receipt must also include the address of the property being applied for in the submitted application;

Furthermore, each fiscal receipt is to be accompanied by invoices containing details of goods purchased or services given to the applicant including the applicant's details;

(c) When it comes to properties that have been built for more than twenty years and have been vacant for more than seven years, applicant must also submit the appropriate documents issued by ARMS that confirms that the property was in fact vacant for more than seven years and an architect's certificate certifying the date the property was built. This document does not need to be submitted in cases where the property on which the claim is being made was acquired after the 11th October, 2021.

(d) When it comes to new properties, the applicant must submit a Certification from the competent authority appointed by the Ministry responsible for finance confirming that the property was built and finished according to the established guidelines.

(ii) Applications are to be accompanied by all the required documents listed above. The applicant must also provide any other document which the Ministry responsible for finance, may from time to time require. An application shall not be deemed to have been submitted unless it is full and complete in all material respects and unless it contains all the information and is accompanied by all the documentation requested therein.

(iii) Only those applications that are found to conform with the provisions of this scheme shall be eligible for payment of the grant referred to in section 5 of the scheme. In the case of a fraudulent application criminal action in terms of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken against the applicant.

(iv) The applicant has a period in between 12th October, 2021 and 31st December, 2025 where one can apply twice under the grant for each property.

(v) For a period of not less than two years from the date of last submitted application applicants may be requested to present the original documents upon which the claim is being made. Failure to produce any such documents upon request, applicants will be obliged to refund the amount paid under the scheme and in the case of a fraudulent applications criminal action in terms of article 309 of the Criminal Code (Cap 9) will be taken.

5. Grant payable under this scheme

Eligible applicants may apply twice for 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.

​6. Payment of Grant

The grant will be credited to the applicant, in the bank account that is indicated in the application.

​7. Amendments to the Scheme

The Ministry responsible for finance reserves the right to make any amendments to this scheme by the publication of the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

8. Duration of the scheme

This Scheme shall be deemed to have commenced on the 12th October, 2021 and shall remain in force till the 31st December, 2025. This scheme may be modified or terminated by means of a Notice in the Government Gazette and shall be renewed as deemed necessary through another Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. Transitory Provisions

​Applications made under this scheme relating to the eligible expenditure incurred in the restoration and finishes of a property, and which works were carried out during and between the effective date and the date of publication of this notice, shall be deemed to be valid applications under this scheme.