Quarter of first-time buyer homes cost over €300,000

Over 12,000 households have benefitted from €31.7 million spent on supporting first-time buyers since 2024, according to the Malta Housing Authority’s latest report. The latest data reveals a significant trend in property values, with 24 per cent of purchases exceeding €300,000, highlighting the continuous resilience and demand in Malta’s real estate market.

The First-Time Buyer (FTB) Scheme, launched in 2023, has been instrumental in this effort, providing annual grants of €1,000 over 10 years to eligible applicants. So far, 4,909 households have benefited from this initiative, with single buyers spending an average of €212,454 on their properties, while joint buyers invested €286,643 on average. Apartments remain the most popular choice, accounting for 72 per cent of purchases, particularly in high-demand areas like St. Paul’s Bay, Mosta, and Birkirkara.

Beyond the FTB Scheme, the Housing Authority has also prioritised improving living conditions through programmes like the Subsidy on Adaptation Works (ADP) Scheme and the Scheme for Persons with Disability (DIS). The ADP Scheme has assisted 1,581 households with average grants of €3,762, while the DIS Scheme has provided crucial support to 2,162 beneficiaries, offering average grants of €5,614 for accessibility improvements. The removal of income caps in 2022 led to a 100 per cent surge in DIS applications by 2023, demonstrating the scheme’s expanded reach.

Demographic trends show that over 90 per cent of FTB beneficiaries are under 40, while older homeowners have predominantly accessed adaptation and disability support. The Authority has also invested in infrastructure, installing 169 lifts in Government housing between 2019 and 2024, with plans for 78 more in 2025.