How much deposit do you pay when buying property in Malta?
Dr. Michael LaferlaNotary · Notary, Notarial Council of MaltaBuyingReviewed: 6 July 2026
The short answer
When you sign the Promise of Sale (Konvenju) in Malta, you customarily pay a deposit of 10% of the purchase price. It's normally held by the notary in their client account and released to the seller at the final deed. The deposit forms part of the price — it's set against what you owe at the deed, not an extra cost on top.
The 10% deposit is your commitment as a buyer, and in return the seller takes the property off the market for you. It's usually held by the notary, not handed to the seller, until the final deed.
How much you pay, and whether it's protected if the deal falls through, is set by the Konvenju and its conditions — for example a subject-to-loan clause that returns the deposit if your home loan is refused.
