Malta citizenship by birth can be obtained by persons with at least one Maltese parent. The place of birth is unimportant: the person can be born both in and outside Malta and still get a Maltese passport.
The rules have changed several times since Malta gained independence in 1964. In this article, we explain who can obtain Maltese citizenship by birth or descent and how the rules differ depending on the date and place of birth.
What’s the difference between Malta citizenship by birth and by descent?
Malta distinguishes between citizenship acquired at birth and citizenship obtained through family ties.
Citizenship by birth means that a person becomes a Maltese citizen automatically from the moment they are born because they meet the legal requirements in force at that time. The rules depend on the person’s date and place of birth and on the citizenship status of their parents.
Citizenship by descent applies to people born outside Malta who acquire citizenship through a Maltese parent. The exact rules depend on when the person was born and how the parent obtained Maltese citizenship.
There is also citizenship by registration based on descent. This is different from automatic citizenship by descent. It applies to certain descendants of Maltese families who did not become citizens automatically at birth. They must apply for citizenship and prove the required family connection to Malta.
Elena Ruda,
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Citizenship by birth and citizenship by descent are closely related in Malta. In both cases, citizenship may be acquired automatically from birth. Under the current rules, this requires at least one parent to be a Maltese citizen.
The main difference is the place of birth: citizenship by descent refers to people born outside Malta who acquire citizenship through a Maltese parent, while citizenship by birth refers to people born in Malta.
Who is eligible for Malta citizenship by birth and descent?
The rules for obtaining Maltese citizenship by birth or descent depend on the person’s date of birth. Other factors are place of birth and the citizenship status of their parents. For some applicants, the place of birth of earlier generations is also important.
If born before 21 September 1964
Original legislation. Malta became independent on 21 September 1964; that’s when the foundations of the current system were established. Citizenship matters were initially regulated by the Independence Constitution and were supplemented by the Maltese Citizenship Act in 1965.
Current legislation. In 2000, the constitutional provisions on citizenship were transferred to the Maltese Citizenship Act, Chapter 188, which remains the principal legislation governing Maltese citizenship[1]Source: Chapter 188 of the Maltese Citizenship Act.
Conditions of citizenship. People born in Malta before 21 September 1964 became Maltese citizens if at least one of their parents had also been born in Malta.
People born abroad also qualified if both their father and paternal grandparent had been born in Malta.
If born between 21 September 1964 and 31 July 1989
Children born in Malta. From 21 September 1964 to 31 July 1989, Malta applied the principle of jus soli — “the right of the land”. That means a child born in Malta in that period acquired Maltese citizenship automatically.
The only exception was if the father of the child was a foreign citizen enjoying diplomatic immunity.
A child born abroad during the same period could acquire Maltese citizenship through the father. The father had to be a Maltese citizen by birth in Malta, naturalisation or registration.
A Maltese mother could not automatically transmit her citizenship to a child born abroad during that period. Maltese law now provides a registration route for certain people who were affected by this former distinction.
Born from 1 August 1989 — current rules
Children born in Malta. Since 1 August 1989, being born in Malta does not make a person a Maltese citizen. A child born in Malta generally acquires citizenship if, at the time of birth, at least one parent is a Maltese citizen.
Also, citizenship by birth applies to a person whose parent was born in Malta before 21 September 1964 and later ceased to be a Maltese citizen after emigrating.
For children born abroad on or after 1 August 1989, either the mother or the father can transmit Maltese citizenship if the parent holds citizenship through birth in Malta, naturalisation or registration.
Exception. Maltese citizenship acquired by registration solely based on descent is not automatically transmitted to the next generation under the ordinary rules of citizenship by descent.
Conditions for obtaining Malta citizenship by birth
Conditions for obtaining Malta citizenship by descent
For people born outside Malta, the key question is usually whether citizenship could be transmitted through a Maltese parent.
The next table summarises the conditions for acquiring citizenship by descent.
The procedure of obtaining Malta citizenship by birth and descent
A child born to a Maltese parent automatically becomes a citizen of Malta, regardless of place of birth, so there is no need to obtain citizenship. However, to obtain a passport for a child, parents must submit an application.
If neither parent was Maltese when the child was born, and one of them became Maltese later, the child does not retrospectively acquire citizenship by birth. The parent may instead apply for the minor to be naturalised as a Maltese citizen.
The procedure takes at least 3 weeks.
1 week
Prepare documents
Parents must collect a birth certificate from the hospital and prepare their IDs. A marriage certificate is also necessary if applicable.
If the child was born abroad, parents need to translate the birth certificate in English or Maltese. A certificate issued outside the EU must be apostilled.
Parents must collect a birth certificate from the hospital and prepare their IDs. A marriage certificate is also necessary if applicable.
If the child was born abroad, parents need to translate the birth certificate in English or Maltese. A certificate issued outside the EU must be apostilled.
15 days
Register the birth
If the child is born in Malta, the parents must notify the Public Registry within 15 days.
If the child is born abroad, the birth can be registered through a Maltese embassy, consulate or mission.
If the child is born in Malta, the parents must notify the Public Registry within 15 days.
If the child is born abroad, the birth can be registered through a Maltese embassy, consulate or mission.
1 day
Submitting the application
Once the child’s details appear in the Public Registry, the parents can apply for a Maltese passport.
For a minor, both parents must normally consent to the passport application, although only one parent may need to submit the documents in person. If the other parent is abroad, they can give consent through a Maltese mission.
Once the child’s details appear in the Public Registry, the parents can apply for a Maltese passport.
For a minor, both parents must normally consent to the passport application, although only one parent may need to submit the documents in person. If the other parent is abroad, they can give consent through a Maltese mission.
4+ days
Receive a passport
Once the child’s birth has been registered and all required documents are in order, a Maltese passport is normally issued within 4 working days.
Once the child’s birth has been registered and all required documents are in order, a Maltese passport is normally issued within 4 working days.
Other ways to get Malta citizenship
Besides citizenship by birth and descent, Maltese law provides several other routes to citizenship.
This includes naturalisation, citizenship by merit, by registration, which includes marriage, and citizenship for refugees.
Citizenship by naturalisation
Foreigners who have lived in Malta for 5 years may apply for citizenship by naturalisation. Applicants must be over 18, have lived in Malta continuously for the 12 months before applying and for a total of 4 years during the preceding 6 years, be of good character, and demonstrate adequate knowledge of Maltese or English.
Citizenship by merit
Malta citizenship by merit is a discretionary form of naturalisation intended for individuals whose exceptional achievements, talents, or proposed contributions support Malta's national interests. Relevant areas may include entrepreneurship, innovation, science, education, healthcare, culture, sport, philanthropy, social impact, and strategic national initiatives.
Each application is assessed individually by Community Malta Agency. Applicants are expected to show recognised professional achievements, a genuine connection to Malta, and a contribution that goes beyond ordinary professional activity and creates clear value for the country.
Citizenship by registration
Malta citizenship by registration is available to certain people with close family ties to Malta who did not acquire citizenship automatically at birth. This route may apply to descendants of Maltese citizens, spouses of Maltese nationals, and other categories specifically recognised by law.
Citizenship by family reunification
There is no way to obtain Malta citizenship by family reunification. However, close relatives may get a residence permit.
This applies to people with Maltese parents, siblings, or grandparents permanently living in the country. Foreign children adopted by Maltese nationals and foreign guardians of minor Maltese citizens are also entitled to Malta residency by family reunification.
After 5 years of living in the country, they become eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalisation.
Citizenship for refugees
Foreign nationals who receive refugee status in Malta may become eligible for citizenship after living in the country for 6 years. Refugees are not required to take language or public integration exams and do not pay a state fee when applying.
Key conclusions on Malta citizenship by birth and descent
- Since 1 August 1989, a child born in Malta acquires citizenship if at least one parent is a Maltese citizen.
- For children born or adopted before 1 August 1989, eligibility for citizenship by birth or descent depended on the circumstances of birth: the date and place of birth, as well as the parents’ nationality.
- A passport requires a separate procedure. A child who is already a Maltese citizen by birth must still have their birth registered and a passport application submitted, with the overall procedure taking at least 3 weeks.
- Maltese law also provides citizenship through merit, naturalisation, registration and refugee status, while family reunification provides residence rather than citizenship.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.
Trusted by 10,000+ investors
