Malta passport as #5 in the world ranking: USA, Europe and Japan visa-free

Criteria that make a strong passport

Passports from different countries do not offer the same benefits; citizens of some countries enjoy more advantages than those of others. Australian and Irish passports are considered among the strongest in the world, while those from Afghanistan and Iraq are among the weakest.

Several factors influence the ranking of a passport on the international level.

Passport Index by Immigrant Invest

Freedom of movement is the first factor and is considered to be the most significant. The stronger the passport, the more countries its holders can visit without a visa. For example, Japanese citizens, whose passport is considered one of the most powerful, can travel to 169 countries visa-free or with a digital entry permit only, while Afghan citizens do not need a visa when travelling to only 65 countries.

Quality of life is another characteristic of a strong passport. There is a clear interrelation between a country's economic development level and the ranking of its passport for citizens' level of life.

Ease of doing business and investment opportunities are the third and the fourth aspects usually assessed in passport rankings. The stronger the passport, the more business opportunities its holders have.

Malta citizenship has high rankings in all four aspects listed above.

Travelling with the Malta passport

According to the Immigrant Invest global passport index, the Malta passport ranks 23rd for freedom of travel. This is made possible because of the high mobility level the passport provides and the high indicator of human freedom in the country.

Regarding visa-free travel alone, Malta takes the 5th position. Malta citizens can visit 168 countries without obtaining a visa in advance. To compare, the UAE passport, ranked 1st, allows its holders to travel visa-free to 177 countries, which is just 9 countries more than the Maltese one.

In 32 countries, the visa to Maltese citizens is issued upon arrival, 24 countries require a digital entry permit, and 111 countries allow visa-free entry.

Visa-free countries for Malta citizens

Countries that allow Malta citizens to enter with a digital entry permit (eTA)

Countries that require Malta passport holders to get a visa upon arrival

Quality of life ensured by Malta citizenship

Although Malta is a small island nation, the standard of living in the country is quite high, which makes it an attractive place to live in. Malta ranks 22nd in the Immigrant Invest passport index — higher than Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Belgium.

People with a Malta passport can live in one of the top EU countries by GDP per capita: this indicator in Malta is 2% above the EU average. Another good news is that the price level in Malta is 20% below the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

As Malta is an EU country, its citizens can enjoy additional benefits:

• working in any EU state without a work permit;
• seeking medical treatment in the best EU clinics;
• studying in European universities without visas and quotas for foreigners;
• opening accounts in banks of EU countries.

Malta passport holders can enjoy an even higher level of life by moving to other EU states, including Luxembourg and Ireland, which are in the top 3 for quality of life.

Individual cost calculation for permanent residence in Malta

Get the cost calculation

Doing business with the Malta passport

Malta is considered an international business centre and a favourable place for business. Under the Ease of Doing Business criterion, the country ranks 22nd, according to the Immigrant Invest passport index. Malta has a very stable economy that survives global financial crises with few losses. Due to COVID-19, Malta faced an 8.6% GDP decrease in 2020. But in 2021 and 2022, the GDP growth rates were 11.8% and 6.9%, respectively, making Malta one of the quickest EU countries to recover.

How to set up a company in Malta

The government of Malta supports the business sector by providing programs aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship development: 

• businesses engaged in manufacturing or service activities can apply for a soft loan of up to €1,000,000;
• family businesses are eligible for a €15,000 grant to support the transition of ownership from one generation to the next;
• companies that develop new technologies or products can apply for a €50,000 grant to support feasibility studies prior to committing to the investment.

Malta tax legislation allows companies to optimise their tax expenses. Although the corporate tax rate is 35% and may seem quite high, the effective rate may be reduced to 0—10% due to available tax refunds. Additionally, such important types of income as dividends, interest, and royalties are not subject to taxation.

Investment options provided by the Malta passport

Malta offers vast opportunities for investors in three main areas: maritime, tourism, and real estate.

Maritime logistics is a highly developed sector due to Malta's position on trade routes from Asia and Africa to Europe. Some of the possible investment areas are cruise lining, transhipment services, and yacht servicing.

Tourism is another industry important to Malta’s economy: it accounts for 15—20% of Malta's GDP. Nearly 17% of the country’s population is directly employed in this sector. Businesspeople can invest in accommodation, food service, and entertainment enterprises.

The real estate sector is highly influenced by tourism, which is on the rise. Thus, the rental market also grows very fast. In Malta, there are more than 15 Special Designated Areas where foreign citizens can buy properties and rent them out.

The economic stability and favourable environment for investment are confirmed by high A and A+ rankings given to the country by global credit rating agencies such as DBRS on a regular basis.

Apart from the positive financial prospects of investing in Malta, foreign investors can obtain a Maltese passport if they meet certain conditions. With Malta citizenship, the investor can open a company in any EU country, expand their business, and bring it to the international market.

Learn the benefits and obtaining terms of Malta citizenship for investors

Obtaining a Malta passport for exceptional services by direct investment

There is no direct way to obtain Malta citizenship by investment. However, after retaining residency for 1 or 3 years, investors can apply for a Malta passport by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.

Minimum investment requirements include:

• purchase or rent of real estate in Malta; the minimum cost is at least €700,000 in case of purchase or €16,000 a year in case of rent;
• €600,000 contribution to the National Development and Social Fund if the application is submitted after 3 years of residence, or €750,000 contribution in case of application after 1 year of residence;
• €10,000 charitable donation to a Maltese non-governmental organisation.

After applying, the investor undergoes the Eligibility Test, a strict background check of the applicant. The test is regulated by the government and includes at least four steps. If the investor passes the Eligibility Test, they receive official approval to become a citizen.

Close family members of the applicant are also entitled to apply for Malta citizenship. These include the investor’s spouse, unmarried children up to age 29 who are principally dependent on the investor, and parents and grandparents over age 55 who are also principally dependent on the investor.

Maltese legislation does not allow investors to apply for citizenship for exceptional services on their own. All applications must be prepared and submitted with the help of an agent approved by the Government of Malta.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of Malta citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment.

Malta passport in rankings: summary

1. The Malta passport is considered to be a strong passport. It provides enhanced freedom of travel, high living standards and favourable conditions for doing business.
2. Malta passport holders can travel to 168 countries without obtaining a visa in advance.
3. Maltese citizens can live, work, and study in other EU countries without additional permits or visas.
4. Maltese legislation allows businesses in Malta to optimise their tax expenses and reduce the effective tax rate from 35% to 0—10% by using tax refunds.
5. Foreigners can acquire Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services after 1 or 3 years of residence. To obtain a passport, the applicant must purchase or rent property in Malta, contribute to the National Development and Social Fund, donate to a Maltese non-governmental organisation, and pass the Eligibility Test.
6. The minimum investment is €690,000.

Frequently asked questions