Maltese and Portuguese passports can be obtained by birth, descent, marriage, and naturalisation. Malta also grants citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.
For investors, the minimum period for obtaining a Maltese passport by naturalisation is 1 year, while in Portugal, a foreigner needs at least 5 years.
In this article, we compare different paths to citizenship in both countries.
1. Visa-free travel. Maltese and Portuguese citizens enjoy visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to many countries, including the USA, Canada, and Australia. Portugal passport holders can travel to 172 countries without visas, while Maltese citizenship offers 169 visa-free destinations.
2. Business perks. Citizens of both countries can engage in entrepreneurial activities across EU member states, benefiting from a single European market and harmonised business regulations.
The governments of both countries support entrepreneurs. For example, in Malta, the government can finance up to 75% of a business project and offer concessional loans. In Portugal, the Startup Portugal Programme helps implement public policies and private initiatives and attract foreign talents, founders, and investors.
Both countries are appealing in terms of taxation. In Malta, most companies are eligible for tax refunds, which can reach up to 100%. In Portugal, there are no such refunds, but in the Azores and Madeira, the corporate tax is as low as 14.7% and can be reduced to 5%.
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.
3. Access to EU-level social security, education, and healthcare. Maltese and Portuguese citizens can receive treatment and study in public institutions in their country of citizenship free of charge. They are also entitled to social benefits, such as sickness and maternity benefits.
Citizens of Malta and Portugal can obtain a European Health Insurance Card, allowing them to receive medical services throughout the EU under the same conditions as locals.
According to the Healthcare Access and Quality Index, Maltese healthcare is slightly better and more accessible than Portuguese. However, Portugal has significantly more medical facilities: 200+ compared to Malta's fewer than 50.
There are also more higher educational institutions in Portugal. Eight Portuguese universities are listed among the world’s best universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The University of Malta is the only Maltese educational institution mentioned in the ranking.
4. Dual citizenship. Both countries allow their nationals to hold two or more passports. Foreigners do not need to renounce their other citizenships upon obtaining Maltese or Portuguese citizenship.
5. Inheritance of citizenship. Citizenship of both countries can be passed on to other generations. Foreigners with a Maltese or Portuguese ascendant obtain the passport by descent.
6. Political rights. Citizenship grants individuals the right to participate fully in the political processes of Malta or Portugal. This includes voting in national, local, and European Parliament elections. Citizens can also stand for public office and shape the future of their countries.
Both Malta and Portugal grant citizenship by birth, descent, marriage, and naturalisation. Requirements, procedures, and processing time vary depending on the country. Neither Malta nor Portugal allow obtaining citizenship directly by investment.
Birth. In Malta, citizenship by birth is granted to individuals:
Individuals born in Malta to foreign parents don’t acquire citizenship by birth. They can become nationals by naturalisation.
In Portugal, children of Portuguese parents automatically obtain citizenship, irrespective of the place of their birth. Individuals born in Portugal to foreign citizens acquire citizenship if at least one parent has legally resided in Portugal for 1 year before the child’s birth.
Older children of foreigners can get citizenship if they were born in Portugal and are under 18. They must meet one of the following conditions:
Children who haven’t got a Portuguese passport right after their birth must file an application and submit a birth certificate, a request for citizenship, and proof of fulfilment of the conditions mentioned above. Children aged 16 or 17 also provide a clean criminal record.
Descent. In both countries, citizenship by descent is available to individuals who can prove their ancestry. In Malta, this pathway applies to those with parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents born in Malta. In Portugal, children and grandchildren of Portuguese nationals can also obtain citizenship by descent.
Applicants must provide legal documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, to establish their lineage. There is no exact timeframe for obtaining citizenship by descent, as the process depends solely on the applicant’s situation and background.
Marriage. Spouses of Maltese and Portuguese citizens can apply for citizenship by marriage in the respective country.
In Malta, this option requires the couple to be married for at least 5 years. To prove it, the applicant provides a marriage certificate and a joint affidavit confirming that the applicant and the Maltese spouse have been married and are still living together. It does not matter whether the couple was residing in Malta or abroad.
Widows and widowers are also eligible for citizenship if they meet one of the following requirements:
Spouses of Portuguese citizens can apply for citizenship after 3 years of marriage. A person in a de facto union recognised by the court with a Portuguese national can also get a passport. In both cases, integration into the country’s society must be proven. Documents such as a statement from an employer or a report of their child being born or registered in Portugal can be proof.
Naturalisation. Foreigners who have permanently lived in Malta or Portugal can obtain citizenship by naturalisation.
In Malta, the person must reside in the country for a minimum of 4 years during the last 6 years and for at least 12 months immediately prior to the application. Candidates must also be of good character, not pose a threat to the country, know Maltese or English, and pass a test on Maltese history and culture. The foreigner is also required to have two Maltese sponsors who will guarantee their good character and suitability for Maltese citizenship.
In Portugal, foreigners can apply for citizenship by naturalisation after legally residing in the country for at least 5 years. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the Portuguese language, financial stability, a clean criminal record, and integration into Portuguese society. Employment, social connections, and knowledge of the country’s culture can serve as proof of such integration.
There are no direct investment routes to citizenship in Malta and Portugal. In both countries, investors obtain passports by naturalisation after holding residence permits.
However, in Malta, wealthy foreigners can decrease the period to citizenship down to 1 or 3 years if they invest in the Maltese economy.
To be eligible, the applicant must fulfil the following conditions:
In Portugal, a foreigner can get a Golden Visa and apply for citizenship by naturalisation 5 years after holding it. In this case, the applicant must make an investment in one of the following ways:
Foreigners applying for a Maltese passport for exceptional services or a Portugal Golden Visa must be over 18, have a clean criminal record, pass Due Diligence checks, and be in good health. Funds used for investment must be legally obtained and verifiable.
| Expenses | Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment | Portugal citizenship by naturalisation after the Golden Visa |
| Investment | €690,000 | €250,000 |
| Eligibility Test | €15,000 for the main applicant €10,000 per family member over 12 | — |
| Mandatory rental charge | €12,000+ | — |
| Fee for residence cardissuance | €5,000 for the main applicant €1,000 per family member | €6,045 per person |
| Fee for the card renewal | — | €3,022.50 per person, paid twice |
| Administrative fees | €3,000 per person | €605 per person — for the Golden Visa €175—250 per person — for citizenship |
| Medical insurance | €500 per person | €400 per person |
Return of investment. In Malta, a foreigner can sell the property purchased for obtaining citizenship and return their money. However, this is only possible after holding a Maltese passport for at least 5 years. If the property is sold earlier, citizenship will be revoked. Given the consistent growth of the Maltese real estate market in the recent decades, the investor may profit from the sale.
In Portugal, Golden Visa holders can return their investment in 6—10 years if they have purchased investment fund units. It is also possible to recover funds if one starts a business and later sells it, though returns are not guaranteed.
Family inclusion. Both Malta and Portugal do not allow foreigners to add their relatives to their citizenship applications. Family members can usually apply later and obtain citizenship through family reunification.
Only citizenship by exceptional services by direct investment in Malta allows including family members, such as a spouse, children under 29, and parents and grandparents over 55. Adult children, parents, and grandparents must principally depend on the main applicant.
Mandatory relocation. In both countries, relocation requirements differ based on the route to citizenship. Foreigners obtaining passports by descent, do not need to reside in the chosen country. At the same time, those who acquire citizenship by ordinary naturalisation must live in Malta or Portugal for at least 5 years.
If a foreigner obtains a Maltese passport for exceptional services, they do not need to move to Malta permanently. However, they must stay in Malta for about 2 weeks immediately before filing the citizenship application.
Foreigners who apply for Portuguese citizenship after obtaining the Golden Visa are also not required to reside in the country. They must only spend 7 days per year there.
Documents. In both countries, the basic list of documents for citizenship includes a birth certificate, a valid passport, and an application form.
Those who get the passport by descent, provide proof of their ties with a national of the chosen country, while spouses of Maltese or Portuguese citizens must submit marriage certificates.
People applying for citizenship by naturalisation must also attach certificates proving they have successfully passed language and citizenship tests.
When applying for Maltese citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment, foreigners must provide an extended list of documents. It includes the following:
Language and other exams. Individuals obtaining passports by descent or marriage usually do not need to pass any citizenship exams.
In Portugal, foreigners must take a Portuguese language test if they apply for citizenship by naturalisation. There are no other citizenship exams.
In Malta, foreigners must pass language and citizenship tests if they obtain a passport by ordinary naturalisation. However, it is not required to learn Maltese, as knowing English is sufficient. Those who obtain a Maltese passport for exceptional services are exempt from both exams.
Due Diligence applies to foreigners obtaining Maltese citizenship by exceptional services and Portuguese citizenship by naturalisation after the Golden Visa. This process involves extensive checks of the investor and their family members against international databases, such as Interpol and Europol.
| Criteria | Malta citizenship | Portugal citizenship |
| Time to citizenship | 1 or 3 years for citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services 5 years for citizenship by ordinary naturalisation | 5 years |
| Language proficiency | Not required if citizenship is obtained for exceptional services Required if citizenship is obtained by ordinary naturalisation | Required |
| Passing citizenship test | Not required if citizenship is obtained for exceptional services Required if citizenship is obtained by ordinary naturalisation | Not required |
| Dual citizenship | Allowed | Allowed |
The path to Maltese citizenship takes at least one year, while a Portuguese passport can be obtained in a minimum of 5 years. In both cases, the foreigner must hold a residence permit before applying for citizenship.
Residency can be obtained, for example, on the basis of getting a job or enrolling in a university. Wealthy foreigners can become residents if they invest in the country’s economy.
The applicant must prepare and notarise the required documents. They must be translated into Portuguese for a Portugal residence permit application and into Maltese or English for obtaining a Maltese status.
In Malta, investors must hold the status of a resident for 1 or 3 years; then, they can apply for citizenship. The required residency period depends on the contribution made to the Malta National Development and Social Fund.
In Portugal, the foreigner must be a resident for at least 5 years.
In Malta, those who opt for the passport by ordinary naturalisation, undertake tests on Maltese or English language proficiency and knowledge of Maltese history, culture, and laws. Those obtaining citizenship by exceptional services are exempt from these exams.
In Portugal, all foreigners applying for citizenship by naturalisation must pass a Portuguese language test.
The foreigner gathers personal documents and documents proving their legitimacy for citizenship, such as a police clearance certificate and a residence permit card, and files an application.
In both countries, foreigners must also take the Oath of Allegiance.
In Malta, the application for a passport is considered within 4 months, while in Portugal, the timeline can extend to nearly a year.
Differences. There are several things that differentiate the path to citizenship in one country from that in another. For example, in Malta, the applicant makes the investment after applying for citizenship. In Portugal, the foreigner invests to obtain the Golden Visa; no further economic contributions are required when filing for citizenship.
The Due Diligence in Malta takes place after the foreigner obtains their residence permit. In Portugal, the investor first passes the check and then applies for residency.
Income tax. In both countries, income taxes are charged on a progressive scale.
In Malta, the minimum tax of 0% applies to income of up to €9,100—12,700, depending on the marital status of the person. The maximum rate is 35%, with the taxable income amount also dependent on marital status.
In Portugal, the minimum rate is 14.5%, which applies to income of up to €7,090. Income of €80,640 and more is taxed at a maximum rate of 48%.
Corporate tax. In Malta, corporate tax is 35%, while in Portugal, it is 21%.
There are also preferential tax rates in both countries. In Portugal, it is 17% that applies to small and medium-sized businesses on their first €15,000. In the Azores and Madeira, the corporate tax is lower than in mainland Portugal and charged at 14.7%.
In Malta, the corporate tax rate may be reduced to 0—10%.
Acquiring Maltese citizenship can be challenging because it requires several years of residency, proof of integration, and language proficiency.
The easiest way is through naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. The applicant must meet several requirements:
Applicants don’t need to prove knowledge of English or Maltese or integration into society. The residency period can be as short as 1 year.
The time required to obtain Maltese citizenship varies depending on the chosen path. Applicants usually need to reside in Malta for at least 5 years to obtain a passport by naturalisation or marriage.
Citizenship by descent can have varying timelines based on individual circumstances and required documentation, but this process generally takes less time than naturalisation.
Naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investments is the fastest path to a Maltese passport. It allows you to become a citizen in a year.
It is impossible to buy Maltese citizenship. Foreigners can obtain it only by descent, marriage, or naturalisation. However, by contributing to the fund, buying or renting real estate, and donating to a philanthropic organisation, the naturalisation path might be decreased to 1 year.
Getting permanent residency in Malta might be daunting, as the applicant must collect many documents and pass strict Due Diligence. However, it is easier than obtaining citizenship.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme requires a real estate investment, a contribution to the government, and a donation to a local non‑governmental organisation, along with meeting financial stability criteria.
In Portugal, citizenship by naturalisation is typically granted after 5 years of legal residency. For those married to a Portuguese citizen, this period may be reduced to 3 years.
For getting citizenship by descent, specific timeframes are not established.
Portugal grants citizenship to spouses and children of Portuguese citizens. Applicants must provide proof of their ties to the country’s national, such as a marriage or birth certificate, to be eligible.
The most common path to Portuguese citizenship is naturalisation. The primary requirement is 5 years of legal residency in Portugal, during which applicants must demonstrate sufficient ties to the country, integrate into Portuguese society, and meet language proficiency standards.
Obtaining citizenship in Portugal is a structured process that requires meeting residency and other specific criteria. It is achievable for those who comply with the legal requirements and demonstrate integration into Portuguese society.
However, compared to many other European countries, it might be relatively simple. The minimum period of residency required is 5 years. Additionally, investors with Golden Visas don’t need to live in Portugal to obtain citizenship.
You don’t need to move to Malta if you obtain citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment or to Portugal if you get the passport by naturalisation after the Golden Visa.
If you’re a descendent or a spouse of a Maltese or Portuguese national, you are also not required to move to the chosen country to obtain citizenship.
People who get Maltese or Portuguese passports without making any investments must relocate to the country to become its citizen.
