Acquiring Malta nationality isn’t just about gaining a powerful passport. It’s an invitation to embrace a new lifestyle with visa-free access to 186 countries, top healthcare, and immersion in rich cultural traditions amidst stunning Mediterranean landscapes.
The investment requirement for the primary applicant ranges from €600,000 or €750,000. The sum depends on how long the applicant maintains their residency status — 1 or 3 years.
Explore how to get Malta nationality with our guide. Uncover investment options, residency rules, and perks of a Maltese passport.
1. Visa-free travel to over 180 countries worldwide, including all EU member states and other popular destinations like Canada, Australia, the USA, the UK, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
This advantage extends beyond leisurely travel — it also provides visa-free travel for business purposes.
There is no investment-based path to Malta citizenship. Maltese nationality legislation provides for the possibility of naturalisation in cases of exceptional merit.
The statutory framework recognises exceptional contributions across various areas, such as entrepreneurship, job creation, innovation, science, education, culture, or philanthropy.
2. Access to quality healthcare services and education. Malta passport holders have access to high-quality healthcare treatment. The country ranks among the top 30 countries worldwide for quality healthcare, surpassing rates found in the USA and Israel.
Maltese citizens benefit from more affordable education at schools and universities. In addition, they enjoy the privilege of studying in any EU country without a student residence permit.
3. Dual Citizenship from acquiring a Malta passport grants you social security benefits available within the EU. It also allows you to live freely in the EU, work, and establish businesses without getting additional permits or visas.
Furthermore, investors and their families do not need to give up their original passports to obtain Maltese ones.
4. Passports for all family members, including parents, grandparents, and children under 29 years old. This benefit appeals to families seeking the security and prosperity of residing in Malta for both present and future generations.
Explore the benefits and requirements of Malta nationality for investors
5. Favourable tax system. Tax rates in Malta are lower than in most other EU countries. For example, VAT in Malta is usually paid at 18%, while the EU average rate is 23%. In addition, companies’ shareholders may return up to 100% of the corporate tax.
In Malta, significant business taxes, such as those on royalties, interest, and dividends, are absent. Individuals do not pay taxes on inheritance, gifts, property, or capital.
6. Cultural Richness & Quality Lifestyle. The Mediterranean island nation boasts stunning landscapes, crystal clear waters, sandy beaches, and blue skies. Malta’s government strives to respect the planet and protect the environment, so its seashore is considered one of the best in Europe.
Malta is dotted with prehistoric temples, mediaeval towns, and historic structures, among which are the elegant buildings of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The locals are known for their friendliness and hospitality, making newcomers feel welcome instantly upon arrival.
7. High level of security. Malta is ranked among the top 20 safest countries in the world, according to research by the insurance company “Insurly”. Regarding crime rates, Malta is safer than Denmark, the Netherlands, and Ireland. It’s a safe place to live and raise children.
Malta nationality can be acquired by birth, registration, ordinary naturalisation, and naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.
By birth. Starting August 1st, 1989, every person born in Malta to a Maltese parent automatically becomes a citizen of Malta. Those born abroad must have both a Maltese father and a Maltese paternal grandparent born in Malta to qualify for Malta nationality.
If a person was born in Malta before September 21st, 1964, they qualify for Malta citizenship if one of their parents held Malta nationality. If a person was born after September 21st, 1964, and before August 1st, 1989, they need to have a Maltese father or be born in Malta.
The list of necessary documents includes:
Also, a filled-out Form A, Form B, or Form D is required to apply, depending on the applicant’s date of birth.
By registration. This way to get Malta nationality refers to marriage, widowhood, children of Maltese females, and former citizens.
Who is eligible to apply:
The documents required for a Malta nationality application depend on the case. Typically, an applicant should provide a birth certificate with parents’ names, a recent passport-size photo, an ID, passport or residence card, and a marriage certificate registered in Malta if applicable.
Applicants submit their documents to the Community Malta Agency. The application fee is €150, and an extra €50 is paid if the application is approved.
By naturalisation. A person needs to meet the following criteria to obtain Malta nationality:
Before applying for a Malta nationality by naturalisation, applicants need to get a residence certificate from the Community Malta Agency. Two sponsors, unrelated to the applicant, are required to vouch for the applicant. They must be Maltese citizens not through naturalisation and at least 18 years old.
The primary sponsor should be of one of the following professions:
The application fee is €450, and an extra €50 is paid if the application is approved.
By investment. To get Malta nationality by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment, applicants pass a strict Due Diligence check and fulfil several investment conditions.
The minimum investment sum is €690,000 for those who have been Maltese residents for 3 years before the application and €840,000 — for those who have been residents for 1 year.
Investors can obtain Malta nationality by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.
First, applicants receive a residence card and must hold it for 1 or 3 years. After that, they become eligible to apply for citizenship and make an investment.
The main applicant needs to meet the following criteria:
Investors meet three investment conditions: contribute to the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF), make a charitable contribution to a non-governmental organisation, and buy or rent residential real estate. All the conditions are mandatory.
Non-refundable contribution. The sum of the contribution to the NDSF determines the duration of residency status required. A €600,000 contribution allows investors to apply for citizenship after maintaining a residence permit for 3 years. With a €750,000 contribution, this period shortens to 1 year.
A non-refundable donation of €10,000 must be made to any charitable, cultural, sports, or scientific non-governmental organisation.
Renting or purchasing housing are two investment options.
If purchasing a property, it must be worth €700,000 or more. The requirement applies to one object only. The property must be held for 5 years from the date of obtaining nationality. After that, it can be sold, and the money returned.
If renting, investors should lease a property for a minimum annual rent of €12,000 during residency. To qualify for citizenship, they need to secure a new lease with a minimum annual rent of €16,000, with a commitment of 5 years.
The minimum expense for acquiring Malta nationality is €690,000, which includes an investment of €600,000, a donation of €10,000, and cumulative property rental of €16,000 per annum for 5 years.
Investors are not permitted to apply directly. Only official representatives, licensed by the Malta government, carry out all the applications on a power of attorney. Immigrant Invest has a licence numbered ESP-IMIN.
Investors can include their spouse, children up to 29, parents and grandparents in the application. All family members, except the spouse, must principally depend on the investor.
Spouses, including same-sex, in official marriages can participate in the program. Partners in recognized civil unions, domestic partnerships, and common-law marriages are also eligible, provided these statuses are acknowledged.
Children under 18 years old, unmarried children under 29 years old who are principally dependent on the main applicant, and children of any age with disabilities can apply for Malta nationality. Children from previous marriages and adopted children are also eligible.
Parents, grandparents, and in-laws over 55 can participate if they are principally dependent on the investor.
An investor needs to make a non-refundable contribution of €50,000 to the NDSF for each family member.
The following requirements are mandatory for all applicants:
An investor may have a sponsor — a business partner or a family member. For example, a spouse who is ineligible for the program due to holding a European passport can financially support their family. Similarly, a parent can cover the expenses of a child over 29 who cannot be included in the application with their parent.
Applicants will obtain Malta citizenship if they fulfil all the requirements and pass a strict Due Diligence check — the Eligibility Test.
Investors and their family members can apply for Malta nationality after 1 or 3 years of residence, depending on the investment amount. The procedure is similar in both cases, but additional documents are required for submission after three years.
Maltese police check the data about all applicants over 12 years in Europol and Interpol databases. The procedure is free.
An applicant provides copies of international passports for applicants over 12 and Form K.
Essential documents are:
Translation of documents for a family of four will cost around €200.
To confirm an address in Malta, an investor provides a real estate lease or a purchase agreement. It can be a temporary lease to confirm an address or a permanent option. Besides, an applicant needs a landlord’s declaration.
In the case of renting a property, it amounts to €36,000 for 3 years, and a deposit worth 1 month of rent is required. If you buy a property, it should cost at least €700,000.
The applicant might need to fill in a questionnaire from an insurance company. Medical insurance should be global and with a minimum cover of €50,000 per applicant.
A basic insurance policy costs around €2,000 for a family of 4.
The application should be submitted within 6 months after the Police Clearance. Biometrics is required for each applicant over 6.
Expenses include the ones for a trip to Malta and the following fees:
Each applicant over 12 years old passes the Eligibility test. The agent must apply for the check within 12 months since the family acquired Malta residency.
The following documents are needed:
Expenses include around €200 for notarised copies per family and around €8,000 for document translation for a family of 4. The Due Diligence fee is €15,000 for the main applicant and €10,000 for each dependent. And an administrative fee is €1,000 per person.
To submit the application for Malta nationality, the following documents are needed:
For application after 3 years of residence, an investor provides extra documents. For example, recent bank statements, confirmation of address in Malta, new certificates of good conduct, new medical certificates, and any other documents that were renewed in the last 3 years.
The letter of approval gives the investor the right to obtain Malta nationality. If the application is approved, an administrative fee of €500 per applicant is needed.
The investor submits documents confirming their residence in Malta and meets all the investment requirements within 4 months after the Minister’s approval. The conditions include the following:
Investors and all their family members over six years old have two months to undergo fingerprinting in Malta. All applicants over 18 must take the oath of allegiance.
Four working days later, the passports are ready and can be received at the Malta Passport Office.
A Malta passport of a person over 18 is valid for 10 years. Passports of children under 10 must be renewed every 2 years and then at 15 years.
Usually, applications for passport renewal are processed within 4 working days and are collected from the Passport Office. If the application is not correctly completed, the applicant is notified, and the procedure is prolonged.
Immigrant Invest helps their clients renew Maltese passports, including collecting all the necessary documents, making arrangements at the Passport Office, and filling out the forms.
Applicants over 18 need to fill in Form A and hand it at the Passport Office along with their ID Card and current passport. A facial biometric image, signature and fingerprints will be taken.
Section 7 needs to be filled in by a recommender. The recommender can be someone who holds a University Degree and has known the applicant for at least 2 years. The recommender must use a rubber stamp or write the warrant number in Section 7. The recommender can neither be a parent nor a close relative of the applicant.
Children under 18 and those applying on behalf of a minor need to fill in Form A, paying particular attention to the dates of birth requested and to Sections 6, 7 and 8, which must be completed and signed by a recommender.
After, they hand in the form at the Passport Office, along with both parents’ ID Cards, two recent identical and coloured photos, one of which should be signed by the recommender, and the previous passport, if any. Children over 12 undergo fingerprinting.
If a child is over 14 years and holds a valid ID Card, you do not need to produce any signed photos. A facial biometric image will be taken at the Passport Office.
Applicants pay the relevant fee by cheque, cash or card in the amount of:
All applicants over 12 collect their passports in person. Children aged 12—18 must do it accompanied by at least one of their parents.
You can acquire Malta nationality by naturalisation for exceptions services by direct investment, which requires investment and holding Maltese residency for 1 or 3 years.
The process for obtaining Malta citizenship isn’t easy. It involves a substantial financial commitment, fulfilling residency requirements, and passing a strict Due Diligence check. Immigrant Invest lawyers work on the application and help to reduce the risk of refusal.
To qualify for Malta nationality, one needs to hold a Maltese residence permit for 1 to 3 years, fulfil investment conditions and pass a strict Due Diligence check.
