Malesia

"Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu" ("Unity is strength")

overview

Welcome to Malaysia

Malaysia: "Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia, is known for its diverse cultures and vibrant cities. Its economy is driven by manufacturing, tourism, and natural resources. The country’s mix of modern infrastructure and traditional heritage makes it a fascinating destination.",

overview

Malaysia Essentials

Inno nazionale

Negaraku

Giorno dell'Indipendenza

August 31, 1957

Haiko

Petronas Towers / Orangutans swing through rainforest / Satay grills sizzle

Interesting Tradition

Celebrates Thaipusam with devotees piercing their bodies as acts of devotion

Weirdest Local Superstition

Don't point at rainbows

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to walk around naked in your own house

overview

Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the diversity, stay for the development: Malaysia blends multicultural heritage with modern ambition across its peninsular and island territories. Life balances between morning meetings in sky-high offices and evening street food adventures in heritage neighborhoods. The country's MM2H program and tech visas have created multiple pathways for global citizens to embrace Malaysian possibilities.

overview

Jom

Explore a land where 'muhibbah' isn't just harmony, but the foundation of success. Here, diversity powers prosperity.

overview

Selamat Datang ke Malaysia

Known for its diverse culture and cuisine where every meal is a culinary adventure

Malaysia isn't just a country—it's a cultural feast for the senses. Here, time moves between ancient rainforests and soaring towers, and even a simple street food adventure becomes a journey through multiple traditions. This is a land where diversity creates daily celebration.

From the sky-piercing Petronas Towers to the orangutan sanctuaries of Borneo, Malaysia offers excitement for every curious explorer. Whether you're drawn to the colonial charm of Penang, the tea plantations of Cameron Highlands, or the coral reefs of Sipadan, you'll find a nation that blends traditions into something magnificently modern.

Statistiche

Savor the Flavor

Eat

nasi lemak (coconut rice dish) - satay (grilled meat skewers)

Drink

teh tarik (pulled milk tea) - sirap bandung (rose syrup milk drink)

overview

Haus?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

7

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

1

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.00

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

1.15

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Eating with right hand only - left hand never touches food
#2
Remove shoes when entering homes without being asked
#3
Ramadan fasting respect crucial even for non-Muslims
#4
Food sharing is mandatory when eating in presence of others
#5
Business cards handled with both hands and studied carefully

overview

Malaysia Essentials

Representative Novel

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng (Set in Malaysia during and after WWII)

National Animal

Malayan tiger

National Pasttime

Badminton

Souvenir nazionale

Batik fabric

Piatto nazionale

Nasi lemak

Festival famoso

Hari Merdeka

Danza famosa

Joget

Musica famosa

Dikir barat

overview

Did You Know?

Malaysia is home to the tallest twin towers in the world.

The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur reach a staggering height of 452 meters, making them the tallest twin towers globally.

Malaysia has some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests.

Taman Negara, a national park in Peninsular Malaysia, is estimated to be over 130 million years old, offering a glimpse into ancient natural history.

Malaysia is one of the world’s largest producers of rubber.

The country’s tropical climate is ideal for rubber trees, contributing to Malaysia’s status as a leading rubber producer globally.

overview

Malaysia’s Key Historical Events

100 BC

Aprile 2014

Earliest settlements in Malaysia

1400s

Luglio 2014

Malacca Sultanate

1511

Febbraio 2015

Portuguese capture Malacca

1957

Marzo 2015

Independence from Britain

1969

Ottobre 2016

Race riots

MOBILITY

Access Malaysia Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

3

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Conditional
Citizenship by DESCENT
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
2 years
DUAL Citizenship
No
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
10
PASSPORT VALIDITY
5 years

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

154

Performance Class

World-Class Access

Grado del passaporto

A-

Rank

44

Score

167.8

This visa grants access to:

• 62% of the world's population 

• 82% of UNESCO sites 

• 64% of global GDP 

• 56% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Accesso senza visto a:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Malaysia by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Malesia
832
974
1,051
1,087
1,053
1,667
3,632

MOBILITY

Compare My Passport

Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobilità
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Requisito della presenza fisica
Costo della vita
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Età mediana

30.1

years

Life Expectancy

76.8

years

Obesity Rate

26.30%

Tobacco Use

38.00%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

4.38%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

1.88

per 1000 people

Doctors

2.228

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

32.08%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Dual Healthcare System

Malaysia has a dual healthcare system where citizens and residents can access both public hospitals and private healthcare facilities.

Affordable Healthcare

Malaysia's public healthcare system is very affordable, with subsidized care available to residents, though wait times can be long in public hospitals.

Private Healthcare Options

Private hospitals in Malaysia offer faster access to treatments and more personalized care, attracting expatriates and medical tourists.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates in Malaysia often choose private healthcare, and many purchase international health insurance for coverage in private hospitals.

Medical Tourism Hub

Malaysia is a major hub for medical tourism in Southeast Asia, attracting international patients with its affordable and high-quality healthcare services.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Panoramica del costo della vita

Malaysia offers a relatively low cost of living, especially appealing to expats and retirees. Kuala Lumpur is more expensive than other areas but still affordable by international standards. Housing costs vary widely, with luxury condos in the capital being pricier. Food is very affordable, especially street food and local markets. Utilities are reasonably priced. Public transportation is cheap and improving in major cities. Education costs can be high for international schools but are moderate for local institutions.

Cost of Gasoline

$0.50

per liter

Cost of Meal

$3.63

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$384.45

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$52.78

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$3.87

(0.5 liter draught)

Aliquota IVA

8%-10%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Tassazione

Panoramica sulla tassazione

Before relocating to Malaysia, it's important to understand its tax system.+Malaysia taxes resident expats on Malaysian-source income and foreign-source income remitted to Malaysia. Non-residents are taxed only on Malaysian-source income. Income tax rates for residents are progressive, ranging from 0% to 30%, while non-residents pay a flat rate of 30%. A Sales and Service Tax (SST) applies instead of VAT. Property tax is also levied. For tax purposes, an Income Tax Number is required.+Malaysia has a double taxation treaty with the United States to prevent dual taxation issues.

Tax Residency Requirement

182 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

No (Territorial system)

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

Reddito personale

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

0%-30%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

Up to 30%

Eredità

Based on inherited amount and relationship

0%

Reddito d'impresa

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

24%

Plusvalenze aziendali

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

Up to 30%

Dividendi

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

0%-15%

Interesse

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

0%-15%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

10%

Work Assignment

Foreign individuals are considered tax residents if they are physically present in Malaysia for 182 days or more in a calendar year.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

80

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

76

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

38.7
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

174
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

9

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

51
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons

Average Temperature

26.38 °C

Humidity

80

%

Average Annual Precipitation

2,875

mm

Rainless Days per Year

182

Best Time to Travel

February-April & June-September

Domande?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in Malaysia

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in Malaysia.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in Malaysia?

Icona Plus

Do I need to speak Malay to apply for residency or citizenship in Malaysia?

Icona Plus

Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in Malaysia with me?

Icona Plus

How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to Malaysia?

Icona Plus

Posso mantenere la mia cittadinanza?

Icona Plus