Citizenship by Investment

Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment

Malta’s Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services* Regulations allow applicants to obtain citizenship of Malta, but only after first residing in Malta.

Applicants must hold residency status in Malta for at least 12 months and pass an eligibility assessment to make an application for citizenship.

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Minimum investment: €690,000
Dual citizenship: Option available
Processing time: At least 12 months
Residency requirement: No more than 400 main applicants per annum and 1,500 total

Everything you need to know about citizenship by direct investment in Malta

Benefits of Maltese Citizenship

The Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment offers many benefits, including:

Citizenship for life

Maltese citizenship gives you the right to live and work in the country for life, plus civic entitlements like voting, free healthcare and the right to hold a Maltese passport.

Entitlement to dual citizenship

Unlike other countries, Malta has no restrictions on dual citizenship. Consequently, you don’t need to relinquish your original nationality in order to become a Maltese citizen.

Ability to pass on citizenship

As a Maltese citizen, you’ll also be able to pass on your citizenship rights to your descendants. This allows them to enjoy all the same benefits and in turn safeguards your family’s future.

Investment and application process

Under the Regulations, applicants may obtain citizenship of Malta upon the completion of a three-stage process, consisting of:

1: The Residency Stage

2: The Eligibility Stage

3: The Citizenship Stage

01
THE RESIDENCY STAGE
Applicants must first apply to the Community Malta Agency (through a licenced Agent) for residency in Malta.
Residency status:
Is issued for 36 months (not renewable unless an eligibility application has been submitted)
Applicants aged 18 and over must hold residency status for at least 12 months to make an application for citizenship
Comes with a biometrics appointment and, potentially, an interview
It is expected that the timeframe from submission of a residency application to the issuance of the relevant e-residency card is 15 working days.
Fees
At the residency stage, the following fees apply:
Part payment of non-refundable investment deposit
Residence permit
THE RESIDENCY STAGE
Residency card fees
Expired card renewal fees (if applicable)
Change of address fees (if applicable)
Main applicant
€10,000
Main applicant
€5,000
Each dependant
€1,000
Main applicant
€27.50
Each dependant
€27.50
02
ELIGIBILITY STAGE
Before completing the residence requirement, and in general within 12 months of the issuance of the residence card, the main applicant must apply through the same agent for an eligibility assessment with the Community Malta Agency.
If the main applicant passes the eligibility assessment and completes the residence requirement (12-36 months or 36+ months), then he/she can apply for citizenship.
Note that all dependants aged 18+ must also complete the residence requirement.
Process
1: Upon receiving the application for an eligibility assessment, Community Malta Agency issues a formal receipt (including a payment request voucher) within two working days.
2: Upon receipt of the relevant fees due at this stage, Community Malta Agency performs Tier 2 due diligence on the main applicant/dependants. Further due diligence fees may be required at this stage.
3: Community Malta Agency then performs Tiers 3 and 4 due diligence.
4: Finally, Community Malta Agency presents the application and its due diligence conclusions to the Minister.
After receiving the Minister’s final decision on whether to grant citizenship to the main applicant/dependants,
5: Community Malta Agency reports the decision to the main applicant’s agent via a letter of approval. A letter of approval for eligibility is expected to be issued within 120–150 calendar days of payment of the fees due at this stage.
Fees
At the eligibility stage, the following fees apply:
:Note that all dependants aged 18+ must also complete the residence requirement
Due diligence fee
Administrative fee
Main applicant
€15,000
Each dependant (aged 12+)
€10,000
Benefactor
€15,000
Per applicant
€1,000
03
CITIZENSHIP STAGE
At this stage, the applicant must make the relevant investment, the total cost of which differs according to how long the applicant resided in Malta under the residency stage. Upon completion of this stage, the main applicant/dependants receive citizenship of Malta, evidenced by a Certificate of Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment.
Fees
At the citizenship stage, the following fees apply. The applicant must fulfil all the following requirements:
Exceptional Direct Investment
Main applicant (36+ months residency): €590,000 or
Main applicant (12 – 36 months residency): €740,000
Each dependant: €50,000
Real Estate Investment (to be held for five years from the grant of citizenship)
Purchase an immovable residential property in Malta that is fit for the main applicant and dependants to live in, having a minimum value of €700,000, or take on a lease of a residential immovable property in Malta for a minimum annual rent of €16,000.
Donation
A €10,000 donation to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare, or artistic non-governmental organisation or society, or as otherwise approved by the Community Malta Agency.
Administrative Fees
Main applicant: €5,000
Each dependant: €1,000

Maltese Passport

What are the benefits of a Maltese passport?

Malta passports are issued to citizens of Malta for international travel. They are biometric documents, ensuring a greater level of safety and facilitating cross-border procedures.

How long are Maltese passports valid for?

Passports of Malta are valid for:

16 years +: ten years.
10- 15 years: five years
0-9 years: two years

What is the Malta passport application process?

The passport application process is separate from the Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment process and requires the applicant to present several documents. These documents vary according to whether the application is a first-time application, a first-time renewal, or a later renewal.

In all cases, a certified copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Registration – the document that is issued to an economic citizen at the end of the Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment process – must be provided.

Every time Maltese passport holders re-apply for a passport (for example, because their old passport has expired), they must present their old Maltese passport. This will be cancelled upon issuance of the new passport.

All renewals can be made directly at the Passport Office.

Application Process

The main applicant must fulfil all the following requirements:

Make an exceptional direct investment. Note that the amount due for the exceptional direct investment varies according to whether the applicant has resided in Malta for (a) 36 months or (b) between 12 and 36 months.
Make a real estate investment (either a purchase or rental) to be held for a minimum of five years. Note that the real estate chosen must be fit for the main applicant and dependants to live in.
Make a donation and pay administrative fees.

An undertaking to complete the above, and evidence of completion of the residence of requirement, must be provided.
Approximately five working days from the provision of the relevant undertaking/evidence of completion of residence, an invitation to travel to Malta to take the Oath of Allegiance is issued to the main applicant and any dependants ages 18 or over.
The Oath of Allegiance must be taken in Malta within six months of the letter of approval, and the applicants will not be allowed to take the Oath unless:

all requirements are fulfilled, and fees paid; and
the applicant undertakes in writing to observe and fulfil all obligations for a period of five years from e-issuance of the Certificate of Naturalisation.

The Certificate of Naturalisation is issued.
The Community Malta Agency conducts continuous monitoring of the main applicant/dependants for five years, and the main applicant/dependants must complete and file a Compliance Form at the Community Malta Agency every year for the first five years from the date of the Oath of Allegiance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Government Advisory

CS Global Partners – Government Advisory

CS Global Partners is the world leading international legal advisory firm, London-headquartered, providing high-net-worth individuals and families with citizenship and residency solutions. As a trusted partner of many governments, CS Global Partners works directly with governments and is mandated to promote some of the world’s longest-standing citizenship programmes, giving clients accurate, up-to-date guidance straight from the source.

For advice shaped by real expertise, contact CS Global Partners.

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