7 ways to become a Maltese citizen
One can become a citizen of Malta on the following grounds:
- by birth or descent;
- by marriage;
- by family reunification;
- for distinguished service to Malta;
- by naturalisation — this path is for foreigners who have been residing in Malta for over five years;
- by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment;
- by getting citizenship as a refugee.
Let’s go through all the paths to Malta citizenship step-by-step.
Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment
There is no direct investment path to Malta citizenship. From November 20th, 2020, investors can become Maltese citizens only after retaining residency status for 1 or 3 years.
Who can get Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services? Close family members of the main applicant may also apply for citizenship. This applies to:
- the investor’s spouse or a registered partner;
- children up to 29 years old who are unmarried and are principally dependent on the investor;
- parents and grandparents of the investor and their spouse, who are over 55 years old and are principally dependent on the investor.
Expenses for obtaining citizenship as an investor. To obtain citizenship, an investor needs to rent or buy property in Malta, make a non-refundable contribution to the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF), and donate to a non-governmental organisation in Malta.
Here are the minimum costs for each point:
- Contribution to NDSF — €750,000 if the investor wants to obtain citizenship after retaining residency for 1 year or €600,000 if they apply in 3 years.
- Additional contribution fee for family members — €50,000 for each.
- Charitable donation to a Maltese NGO — €10,000.
- Real estate costs — €700,000+ in case of purchase or €16,000+ yearly in case of rent. The rental agreement should be signed for at least five years.
This option of obtaining Malta citizenship has been ratified by the Maltese government and is described on the official website.
Documents to obtain Malta Citizenship as an investor
The package of documents needed to apply for Malta citizenship consists of a multitude of forms and records confirming the information stated in those forms. Licensed agents fill in all the forms on behalf of applicants. Immigrant Invest assists investors in acquiring Malta citizenship under the licence numbered AKM-IMIN.
The necessary documents are the following:
- Application for a Residence Permit.
- Electronic Identity Registration Form.
- Image Capture Application Form.
- Rental Declaration Form.
- Health insurance.
- MRQ Form containing information regarding the applicant’s state of health completed by the examining physician.
- Declaration for Submission of the Citizenship Application.
- Citizenship Application Form.
- Documents regarding the applicant’s family members, education and employment.
- Declaration of the income, net worth, and the source of funds and wealth.
- Business and Corporate Affiliations Declaration.
- Tax Residency Jurisdiction Declaration.
- Parent’s Consent Form.
- Dependency Declaration.
- De-Facto Partner Declaration.
- Photos for children under 12.
Procedure of obtaining Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services
There are 3 main steps to obtaining Malta citizenship for investors.
An investor needs to purchase or rent accommodation in the country. Then, they can choose to apply for citizenship in 12 or 36 months after getting the residence permit. Investor’s close family members are also eligible for residency in Malta.
The Eligibility Test is a strict background checkup of the applicant.
Among other requirements, an investor must provide proof of their income’s legality. Aside from that, applicants also demonstrate the absence of a criminal record and provide a medical record.
Due Diligence is regulated by the government and includes at least four steps. The checkup is paid — €15,000 for the main applicant and an additional €10,000 for each family member.
If the investor passes the Eligibility Test, they receive official approval to become a citizen. The investor must then take an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Malta within six months.
Malta citizenship by naturalisation
A resident of Malta can be naturalised if they meet several requirements:
- are over 18;
- have been residing in Malta for 12 continuous months preceding the application;
- have been residing in Malta for 4 cumulative years within 6 years before the 12 months mentioned above;
- are a person of good character, which two sponsors of Maltese citizenship confirm;
- can prove adequate knowledge of the Maltese or English language.
Naturalisation is also available to former citizens of Malta, foreign nationals with parents of Maltese citizenship, foreign nationals born in Malta from a parent of Maltese citizenship, and children of Maltese nationals who obtained citizenship on any ground.
Malta citizenship by birth or descent
There are two main categories of applicants qualifying for citizenship by birth or descent:
- A child whose parent is a citizen of Malta by birth, naturalisation, or registration.
- A descendant of a Maltese national in a direct line. If the applicant is under 18, their guardian should accompany the application process.
Maltese citizenship by descent can be obtained remotely. Descendants of Maltese nationals can submit their documents to any of the Maltese Representations Overseas.
Conditions of obtaining citizenship by birth or descent
| Date of birth | Place of birth | Requirements |
| Before 21.09.1964 | Malta | At least one of the parents was born in Malta |
| Outside Malta | The father and at least one of their parents were born in Malta | |
| 20.09.1964 | Not relevant | Was a subject of Great Britain or one of its overseas territories |
| From 21.09.1964 to 31.07.1989 | Malta | The mother is a citizen of Malta and was such at the time of birth of the applicant |
| Outside Malta | The father is a citizen of Malta by birth, naturalisation, or registration | |
| 1.08.1989 or later | Not relevant | At least one of the parents is a citizen of Malta by birth, naturalisation, or registration |
Malta citizenship by marriage
The case of obtaining Maltese citizenship by marriage falls under the category of acquisition of citizenship by registration. This path to a Malta passport applies to the following:
- spouses of Maltese citizens by birth, naturalisation, or registration;
- widows and widowers of Maltese nationals;
- same-sex married couples.
In all cases, the marriage must have lasted at least five years and be still in force at the time of application.
If the applicant is a widower or widow of a Maltese citizen, they will be granted citizenship only if the marriage lasted for at least five years or would have lasted for this period by the time of the application if their Maltese national spouse had not died.
Becoming a Maltese citizen by family reunification
Only close relatives of Maltese citizens qualify for a family reunification path. To become a citizen, a foreigner should have 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 citizenship by family reunification.
To get a Malta passport, one does not have to live in Malta permanently. They also do not have to travel to the country to apply: the Maltese passport application can be submitted abroad via an embassy or consulate.
Malta citizenship for distinguished service to the country
The President of Malta can personally grant citizenship to a foreigner who made a special contribution to the development of the country. Most often, candidates include outstanding scientists, cultural figures, athletes, politicians, and entrepreneurs.
One cannot plan to obtain citizenship this way as there are no special Maltese passport eligibility criteria. The decision is made by the President in each case individually.
Maltese citizenship for refugees
Foreigners can request political asylum and refugee status in Malta. To get the status, they need to prove that their life is threatened or they are discriminated against in their own country.
If a refugee stays in the country for six years, they become entitled to get a passport. Refugees do not take language or public integration exams and do not pay a state fee.
Igor Buglo
Head of the Maltese office, MBA
5 benefits of Malta citizenship
1. An option to live in Malta and other EU states. Citizens of Malta can enter the country at any desired time and stay there for as long as they wish. Moreover, they can reside, work, and do business in any other country in the European Union.
2. Visa-free travel to 169 countries. Maltese nationals can travel visa-free to 169 countries, as per the Immigrant Invest Passport Index. The list includes all of the Schengen states, the USA, the UK, Australia, and Canada.
3. Access to high-quality healthcare. Maltese citizens get free medical care in the country's hospitals and clinics. The healthcare system of Malta ranks among the best in the world, according to the Lancet’s Healthcare Access and Quality Index.
4. Education opportunities. Maltese citizens can study at local universities and educational institutions all over the European Union. They have the freedom to choose their place to study — and their tuition fees will be significantly lower than those for non-EU citizens.
5. Mild climate. Malta has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers, snowless winters, and rainy springs. June and August are the warmest months with the air temperature hitting +30ºC. In January and February, it drops to +10ºC.
Is it possible to obtain dual citizenship in Malta?
The rules for dual or multiple citizenships in Malta changed in 2000 when it became legal for any Maltese citizen also to hold a passport from another country. Before that, this option was only available to nationals who obtained their citizenship by birth.
As for now, any Maltese citizen, including those who obtained their status by naturalisation or registration, can have dual or multiple citizenships.
Investors who become citizens by naturalisation for exceptional services can keep passports of their country of origin.
Malta passport renewal
Once obtained, the Maltese citizenship is valid for life. However, Malta passport holders need to renew their documents in the cases stated below.
1. Regular renewal. A passport validity period depends on the age of a citizen:
- up to 10 years old — passport is renewed every 2 years;
- from 10 to 15 years old — renewal is needed every 5 years;
- over 16 years old — the passport is valid for 10 years.
A passport renewal application is submitted at the Passport Office of Malta and processed within 4 days. If an individual is abroad, they can apply at the closest embassy of Malta. In this case, the processing time is 3—4 months.
2. Loss or theft of a passport. To get a new passport replacing the one lost, stolen, or destroyed, a Maltese citizen needs to file a claim with the police to obtain a police report. The police report is submitted together with an application to the Passport Office of Malta.
If an individual is abroad, they report to the local Maltese embassy or consulate. The embassy issues a new passport or a travel document so that a citizen can go to Malta to apply for a new Maltese passport.
In case of loss, theft, or destruction of a passport, a citizen must take an oath when a new document is issued.
3. Change of personal details. After changing a name, surname, or other information, a Maltese citizen needs to renew their passport as well. In this case, the procedure is the same as for regular passport renewal.
Key takeaways on Malta citizenship
- There are seven ways to acquire Malta citizenship: birth or descent, marriage, family reunification, special grant of the President for distinguished service to Malta, getting citizenship as a refugee, ordinary naturalisation, and naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.
- Investors wishing to obtain citizenship of Malta invest in the country’s economy, get a residency status, and apply for citizenship 1 or 3 years later.
- Investment expenses include renting or buying property in Malta, a non-refundable contribution of €600,000+ to the National Development and Social Fund, and a €10,000 donation to a Maltese non-governmental organisation.
- Malta allows dual citizenship, so foreigners do not have to renounce their first passport after getting a Maltese one. Maltese nationals can travel to 169 countries visa-free, live, work, study, and seek medical treatment in any EU country.
Frequently asked question
The Maltese law defines seven ways of obtaining citizenship of the country:
- by birth or descent;
- by marriage;
- by family reunification;
- for distinguished service to Malta;
- by naturalisation — this path is for foreigners who have been residing in Malta for over seven years;
- by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment;
- by getting citizenship as a refugee.
There are multiple ways to obtain Malta citizenship. The least time and money-consuming among them is acquiring citizenship by descent. This option is available only to direct descendants of Maltese nationals. For others, the acquisition process can take from 1 to 3 years.
Citizenship by marriage can be granted to people married to nationals of Malta. In this case, getting a Malta passport will take at least five years.
Citizenship by family reunification is available to foreigners who have Maltese parents, siblings, or grandparents who are permanently living in the country. Foreign children adopted by Maltese nationals and foreign guardians of minor Maltese citizens can also obtain Malta citizenship under this path.
The naturalisation path is available to third-country nationals who have already been residing in Malta. This way, the applicant will have to live in Malta for over 7 years to be eligible for citizenship.
In exceptional cases, Maltese citizenship is granted for distinguished service to the country on the personal decree of the President, as well as to refugees.
Finally, foreign nationals can obtain Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. This path implies renting or purchasing real estate in Malta, residing in the country for 1 or 3 years, making a non-refundable contribution to the government fund, and donating to an NGO.
To obtain citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment, the applicant has to be over 18 years old and be able to provide proof of legality of their income and a medical record.
Other naturalisation cases require foreign nationals to be residents of Malta for at least 7 years before application.
When obtaining citizenship by marriage, the applicant must be married to a Maltese national for at least 5 years before applying.
In 2022, Malta’s GDP increased by 6.1%, with an inflation of 5.6%. This allows for the classification of Malta as one of the European Union’s strong and stable economies. The following facts also demonstrate this:
- The country is in the top 3 of Europe’s countries with the lowest unemployment rates.
- The Maltese government has been lowering taxes for their citizens for the past five years.
- Malta’s budget has been surplus in the past few years. In 2019, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio was 43%, according to Eurostat. To compare, in 2005, this value exceeded 70%.
- According to the WHO classification, free medical care in Malta is among the best. Citizens have access to free universal childcare and education.
- Malta’s economy is diverse, ranging from microchip manufacturing to financial services, from highly specialised currency printing to digital gaming, and from tourism to blockchain-related businesses. Malta is the world’s first country to regulate this sector.
A Maltese passport provides such benefits as:
- an option to live in Malta indefinitely or reside in any other EU country;
- visa-free travel to 169 countries, including the Schengen states, the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia;
- access to one of the world’s top 3 healthcare systems;
- an opportunity to study at any EU university at relatively low tuition costs.
Foreign investors can obtain residence permits or permanent residency by investment. Both options will take up to six months. Find the conditions of the programs below:
- Permanent residence by investment — 4 to 6 months
- Malta residence permit by investment — 5+ months
To obtain permanent residence by investment, the applicant need to fulfil the following conditions:
- rent or purchase real estate;
- pay administrative and state fees;
- make a charitable donation.
Real estate investment implies renting or purchasing accommodation in Malta at these minimal prices:
- €10,000 if the rented property is located on the island of Gozo or the south of Malta;
- €12,000 if the rented property is located in the central or northern parts of the island of Malta;
- €300,000 if the purchased property is located on the island of Gozo or the south of Malta;
- €350,000 if the purchased property is located in the central or northern parts of the island of Malta.
The contribution fee for applicants who rent a property is €58,000. For those who purchase real estate, the fee is €28,000.
The charitable donation has to be no less than €2,000.
Aside from that, applicants have to pay €40,000 in administrative fees and to prove having at least €500,000 in available assets, including at least €150,000 of liquid financial assets.
Malta passport is one of the strongest in the world. Malta citizens can travel visa-free to 169 countries with all the Schengen states, the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia among them.
Malta’s tax residents benefit from the following tax breaks:
- a resident company registered in Malta that earns income abroad is taxed at a reduced rate of 5%;
- dividends and royalties are tax-free;
- and VAT can be reduced to 7—8%.
The advantages do not stop there. More information can be found in the blog post with a thorough breakdown of Malta’s tax system.
Yes, a foreigner can obtain citizenship in Malta through various means, including descent, marriage, ordinary naturalisation and naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.
Yes, Maltese legislation allows people to have two passports. Thus, any Maltese citizen, including those who obtained their status by naturalisation or registration, can have dual or multiple citizenships.
Zlata Erlach
