Acquiring a Maltese passport does not require renouncing another nationality. Today, the country offers four routes to citizenship: by birth, registration, ordinary naturalisation, and naturalisation on the basis of merit.
The merit route is a part of Malta’s citizenship framework. It is designed for non-EU nationals who can show genuine links to Malta and demonstrate an exceptional contribution to the country.
This guide explains how the rules work and what applicants should know before starting the process.
Malta dual citizenship means that a person holds Maltese citizenship alongside the citizenship of another country. Under Maltese law, this is fully permitted, as Malta allows both dual and multiple citizenship without restriction.
The legal basis for dual citizenship in Malta is set out in the Maltese Citizenship Act, Chapter 188, which expressly permits a person to hold Maltese citizenship and citizenship of another country at the same time[1]. Article 22 of the Constitution of Malta provides the broader constitutional framework for citizenship rules[2].
Malta has not always allowed dual citizenship. After independence in 1964, the country followed a single-citizenship model, then introduced limited exceptions for some emigrants in 1989, and fully legalised dual citizenship on February 10th, 2000. Since then, holding more than one nationality has been lawful without restriction, including the merit-based naturalisation route.
Malta permits dual and multiple citizenship without restriction. However, the position in the applicant’s home country may be different. Some states do not allow their nationals to keep their original citizenship after acquiring another passport, so the effect of obtaining Maltese citizenship should be checked under the laws of that country as well.
Countries that restrict or do not recognise dual citizenship include:
For nationals of these states, acquiring Maltese citizenship may lead to the loss of the original citizenship or other legal consequences under domestic law.
By contrast, countries that allow dual citizenship with Malta include:
Citizens of these countries are not required to renounce their original citizenship when acquiring Maltese nationality[3].
Malta law provides four distinct pathways to citizenship. The appropriate route depends on the applicant's personal background, family ties to Malta, and individual objectives. Understanding how to get dual citizenship in Malta begins with identifying which pathway applies to a given situation.
The four Malta citizenship pathways are:
Previously, foreigners could also obtain Maltese citizenship through naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. That programme was discontinued on July 24th, 2025[5].
Children born on or after August 1st, 1989 acquire Maltese citizenship automatically if at least one parent is a Maltese citizen at the time of birth, whether by birth, registration, or naturalisation. The place of birth is irrelevant: a child born anywhere in the world to a qualifying Maltese parent is a citizen from birth.
Children adopted by Maltese citizens in ccordance with Maltese law may also acquire citizenship.
Citizenship by registration in Malta is available to five categories of applicants. Applications are processed by the Community Malta Agency, the government agency responsible for citizenship matters.
1. Spouses of Maltese citizens. A spouse may apply if the marriage has lasted at least 5 years by the date of application. This applies to both opposite-sex and same-sex marriages[6].
2. Widows and widowers of Maltese citizens. Eligibility applies if the marriage had not been dissolved before the Maltese spouse’s death.
3. Descendants of Maltese nationals. Applicants must prove an unbroken line of descent from a Maltese citizen. The rules depend on the applicant’s date of birth:
Residence in Malta is not required for citizenship by descent. In addition, citizenship acquired through this route cannot be automatically passed on to subsequent generations.
Applicants claiming citizenship through ancestry need to provide:
All documents must be properly certified and, where required, apostilled.
4. Persons with a Maltese mother. This applies to individuals whose mothers were or could have become Maltese citizens by birth under the law.
5. Former Maltese citizens. Individuals who previously held Maltese citizenship and lost it may apply for restoration through registration.
Foreign nationals who have lived lawfully in Malta for at least 5 years may apply for naturalisation. The standard requirement is:
Applicants must also demonstrate good character and sufficient knowledge of the Maltese or English language, present recommendations from two Maltese sponsors, and prove they have adequate income to support themselves and any dependants.
Naturalisation is granted at the Minister's discretion; there is no automatic right.
The citizenship-by-merit route is a naturalisation pathway governed by Subsidiary Legislation 188.06. It applies to individuals whose achievements or planned activities are considered to bring exceptional value to Malta in fields such as business, innovation, science, culture, or philanthropy[7].
Malta citizenship by merit is a naturalisation route for non-EU nationals who can show genuine links to Malta and prove that they have made, or will make, an exceptional contribution to the country.
Citizenship may be granted to applicants who demonstrate exceptional merit and submit a documented proposal explaining how their contribution will serve Malta’s national interest in line with Malta Vision 2050, the country’s long-term national development strategy.
The assessment focuses on the real value an applicant can bring to Malta. Relevant contributions may relate to economic development, job creation, innovation, science, culture, philanthropy, or other areas of national importance. Each application is reviewed individually by the Community Malta Agency[8].
Malta citizenship by merit has existed since 2017 under Subsidiary Legislation 188.04. This framework allows applications to be assessed on a strict case-by-case basis. The existing legal structure was later reviewed through transparent statutory updates that are publicly available and supported by official communications.
Malta citizenship by merit is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with no fixed checklist or guaranteed outcome. The framework focuses on the applicant’s overall profile, the value of their contribution, and alignment with Malta’s national priorities, including Malta Vision 2050.
To be considered for Malta citizenship by merit, the principal applicant is expected to meet the following criteria:
A key element of the assessment is whether the applicant’s contribution aligns with Malta Vision 2050, the country’s long-term strategy for economic, social, and environmental development[9].
Rather than setting formal eligibility thresholds, the framework serves as a benchmark for what qualifies as being in the national interest. Contributions are expected to support one or more strategic areas, such as:
Citizenship by merit may be extended to close family members included in the main application:
Overall, family inclusion is conditional and assessed individually alongside the main applicant’s case.
The regulations under S.L. 188.06 expressly prohibit applications from nationals of, or persons with close ties to, the following ten countries:
The Community Malta Agency reserves the right to update this list. Applicants with dual nationality should note that the restriction applies if they hold any of these nationalities or have close ties to these jurisdictions.
Applications for Malta citizenship by merit go through several review stages. The decision is discretionary, and the Minister’s ruling is final. Since there is no formal appeal process after a refusal, the application must be prepared very carefully.
The overall timeline depends on the requirements of the Community Malta Agency and the details of the applicant’s case. The process usually includes the following steps.
The process begins with an internal review by Immigrant Invest. A certified Anti‑Money Laundering Officer checks the applicant’s documents against international compliance and intelligence sources, including sanctions lists and business-risk databases.
The early review helps identify issues that could lead to a refusal later. If any risks appear, the team may suggest ways to address them, for example by adding supporting documents or revising part of the application strategy.
Maltese residence is the first required step before applying for citizenship. At this stage, the applicant rents or buys residential property in Malta and obtains valid health insurance.
Immigrant Invest lawyers then collect police clearance certificates, prepare the financial profile and supporting documents, and complete the official forms needed for the residence application. These materials later help prove genuine links to Malta.
Immigrant Invest lawyers prepare the Proposal Letter. It outlines the applicant’s background, key achievements, and planned contribution to Malta’s national interest. Where appropriate, contact may also be made with relevant Maltese institutions to assess the practicality of the proposal and support its credibility.
The Proposal Letter and the supporting documents are then submitted for review. The Evaluation Board examines the case to decide whether it can move forward.
After the review, the applicant receives either conditional approval or a refusal. Conditional approval does not grant citizenship. It allows the applicant to continue living in Malta and to start carrying out the contribution described in the Proposal Letter.
During this stage, the Community Malta Agency may check whether the applicant is meeting the expected commitments.
The process ends with a final review. The Evaluation Board reassesses the case, while the Community Malta Agency checks that the applicant has remained of good character and fulfilled the promised contribution.
If the outcome is positive, the applicant may proceed with the citizenship application.
Malta citizenship by merit is a discretionary process subject to strict Due Diligence and individual assessment. Refusal may result not only from compliance issues but also from shortcomings in the applicant’s qualifications, contribution proposal, or residence planning.
Approval is not guaranteed even if the applicant appears to meet the general expectations. The Community Malta Agency assesses the applicant’s overall profile, personal background, and proposed contribution to Malta. There are no fixed thresholds that automatically lead to success, and each case is judged on its individual merits.
Applications may be refused if the applicant has a criminal record, especially for financial offences such as fraud, money laundering, or tax evasion. The same applies where there are sanctions-related issues, previous visa refusals, or other compliance concerns that raise doubts about admissibility. Even if the issue seems minor, incomplete disclosure can itself damage the application.
The Community Malta Agency examines how the applicant’s wealth was generated. Funds must come from lawful and traceable sources, supported by clear documents. If the origin of wealth cannot be properly verified through business records, contracts, tax documents, or other evidence, the application may be refused.
A refusal may follow even without a criminal conviction if the applicant presents reputational risks. Adverse media coverage, associations with politically exposed persons, or links to sectors and jurisdictions subject to enhanced scrutiny can affect the assessment. In practice, reputational concerns may weaken a case even where the formal eligibility criteria appear to be met.
Applicants must show real and documented ties to Malta. This usually includes physical presence in the country, residential arrangements, and supporting evidence that the connection is genuine rather than formal. If the authorities conclude that the applicant’s link to Malta is too weak or artificial, the request may be refused.
Malta citizenship by merit process requires a high level of preparation and consistency across the entire application. The file should be built as a fully substantiated case, not treated as a formal procedure. This involves:
The proposed contribution should be concrete, credible, and aligned with national priorities. A strong application anticipates scrutiny and addresses potential weaknesses before submission.
Applicants for Malta citizenship must generally prepare the following documents:
For citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit, applicants may also need to provide:
All documents issued in a language other than English or Maltese must be accompanied by certified translations.
Acquiring Maltese citizenship does not in itself change a person’s tax obligations in their country of origin, as citizenship and tax residence are separate legal concepts.
A person becomes subject to Maltese tax law only if they establish tax residence in Malta, which depends on actual residence in the country, assessed in physical presence and the overall pattern of living[10]. This may involve factors such as the length of stay, regular presence in Malta, and the location of personal or economic ties, although no fixed statutory threshold applies.
Personal taxation. Malta applies a progressive personal income tax system with rates from 0 to 35%. For single taxpayers, the top rate of 35% applies to annual income above €60,000, while married couples and parents benefit from wider tax bands[11].
Corporate taxation. Malta’s broader tax system also includes a standard corporate tax rate of 35%. However, under the shareholder refund mechanism, the effective rate may fall to around 5% in many cases[12]. VAT is charged at 18%[13].
Non-dom regime. International applicants may benefit from the remittance basis: individuals who are tax resident in Malta but not domiciled there are taxed on Maltese‑source income and gains, as well as on foreign income brought into Malta. Foreign income that remains outside Malta is not taxed there[14].
US citizens are taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where they live or how many citizenships they hold. Acquiring Maltese citizenship does not change these obligations.
In addition to regular tax filings, US citizens must comply with foreign asset reporting rules:
The requirements apply equally to dual citizens. There are no exemptions based on holding a second passport.
The UK abolished its non-domiciled tax regime on April 6th, 2025. It has been replaced with a 4-year exemption for foreign income and gains for new arrivals[17]. After this 4‑year period, individuals who remain UK tax resident are taxed on their worldwide income and gains.
For high-net-worth individuals considering relocation, Malta may offer a different tax position:
The benefits apply only if genuine tax residence in Malta is established. This requires actual physical presence and economic ties, not just formal status.
Immigrant Invest is a government-licensed investment migration consultancy that assists clients with applications for Malta citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit.
We hold the licence number RES-IMIN, issued by the Community Malta Agency, authorising us to act as an agent under the Malta Permanent Residence Programme and confirming our lawyers’ expertise in Maltese legislation.
For Malta citizenship by merit application, Immigrant Invest provides a structured, end‑to‑end service that covers all key stages of the process:
We operate under the EU 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive standards and use a multidisciplinary team structure combining legal, compliance, and advisory expertise.
Yes, Malta allows dual citizenship and has done so since February 10th, 2000. Section 7 of the Maltese Citizenship Act, Cap. 188, explicitly states: “It shall be lawful for any person to be a citizen of Malta, and at the same time a citizen of another country.” There is no upper limit on the number of citizenships a Maltese citizen may hold.
Yes, the US neither prohibits nor penalises dual citizenship. A US citizen who acquires Maltese nationality retains their US passport and all US citizenship rights. US global taxation, FBAR, and FATCA obligations continue regardless of dual citizenship status.
The Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment was discontinued in July 2025. This route required defined contributions to the National Development and Social Fund, a charitable donation, and a qualifying property.
The merit framework is not based on investment. Applications are evaluated individually on the quality and genuineness of the proposed contribution to Malta’s national interest.
Under S.L. 188.06, nationals of or persons with close ties to the following ten countries are not eligible for the Malta citizenship for exceptional services: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. The Community Malta Agency may update this list at any time; applicants should verify the current list with a licensed agent.
To be able to apply for the Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services, all adult dependants and the principal applicant must hold a valid Maltese residence permit and complete the required residence period. The applicable period under the merit-based regulations should be confirmed with a licensed agent, as the implementation framework is still being finalised.
Under Article 5 of Cap. 188, citizenship by descent is available to children born abroad where a parent was a Maltese citizen by birth, naturalisation, or registration at the time of birth.
If the parent holds citizenship acquired through descent registration, that citizenship cannot be transmitted further by descent alone. Each claim must be assessed individually against the documentary record.
Yes, US citizenship-based taxation means that all US citizens — including dual nationals — must file an FBAR for foreign accounts exceeding $10,000 in aggregate at any point during the year, and FATCA Form 8938 if specified foreign financial assets exceed the applicable threshold. Acquiring Maltese citizenship changes nothing in this regard.
Malta citizenship, together with genuine tax residence in Malta, can offer both EU mobility and a more favourable tax position than remaining in the UK after the non-dom reform. Malta applies the remittance basis to non-domiciled residents, which means foreign income is taxed there only if it is brought into Malta. Foreign income kept outside Malta is not taxed in Malta. The UK, by contrast, abolished its non-dom regime on April 6th, 2025.
At the same time, changing tax residence is not a formal step that follows automatically from obtaining citizenship. It requires real physical presence in Malta and ending UK tax residence under the relevant rules. Because this depends on personal, financial, and family circumstances, the move should be planned with specialist tax advisers in both Malta and the UK.
Yes, when obtaining Malta citizenship, the Oath of Allegiance must be taken by all adult applicants and must be performed in person in Malta. This requirement applies equally to the principal applicant and all adult dependants included in the application.
Yes, Malta does not limit the number of citizenships a person may hold. In practice, this means a Maltese citizen may also hold two or more foreign citizenships at the same time. The only possible restriction comes from the laws of the other countries involved, not from Malta.
Yes, Malta recognises same-sex civil unions and same-sex marriage. As a result, same-sex spouses of Maltese citizens may apply for citizenship by registration on the same terms as opposite-sex spouses. To qualify, the marriage or civil union must have lasted at least 5 years by the date of application. The law does not distinguish between spouses based on sex.
Under Cap. 188, deprivation of Maltese citizenship may occur where a naturalised citizen:
A citizen who has resided outside Malta for more than 7 years without any connection to the country may face deprivation unless they submit a written declaration to the Maltese government of their intention to retain their citizenship.
Non-EU nationals who have not lived in Malta continuously for 5 years usually need an Acquisition of Immovable Property permit to buy residential property. Property bought under this permit must be used as the buyer’s own residence and cannot be rented out. An exception applies to Special Designated Areas, where foreign nationals can purchase and rent out property without needing a permit.
Once a person acquires Maltese citizenship and has resided in Malta for 5 consecutive years, these restrictions no longer apply.
