Divorced or Separated People to Be Treated as First-Time Buyers Again Under New Government Scheme

Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced new housing support measures, with a key update for people who went through separation or divorce.

Speaking in Siġġiewi, Abela said that those starting a new life after a breakup will now also benefit from the “Our Next Home” scheme, which had already been proposed earlier this week.

In simple terms, this means that if you separated or divorced and want to buy a new home, the government will treat you like a first-time buyer again. This is important because you will not have to pay stamp duty (tax) when buying your new property, helping you save money.

Abela said the government wants to support people during difficult life changes, and made it clear, “you are not alone.”

The government also announced another scheme called “My First Home.” This will help first-time buyers by giving them an interest-free loan covering up to 25% of the property price. This reduces the amount people need to borrow from banks, meaning they will pay much less interest over time.

For example, a single person could save up to €65,000 in interest, while couples could save up to €75,000.

Another measure is aimed at families who already own a home but need a bigger one. The “Our Next Home” scheme will also help families with more than one child move to a larger property, with tax benefits similar to first-time buyers.

In addition, the Labour Party is proposing to increase the birth bonus to €5,000 per child, to better support families before and after a baby is born.

Overall, the message is simple, whether you are buying your first home, growing your family, or starting over after a breakup, the government says it wants to make things easier and more affordable.

#MaltaDaily