Malta ended its citizenship-by-investment program in 2025 following the EU Court of Justice’s ruling against it. In April 2025, the EU Court of Justice ruled that EU citizenship was compromised through Malta’s CBI program due to the lack of genuine ties to Malta. As a result, the Maltese government has ended its citizenship-by-investment programme and introduced a citizenship-by-merit route. Accordingly, you can be eligible for Maltese citizenship if you show “exceptional services or contributions to the nation” as based on Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act, Chapter 188.
In the meantime, Malta’s permanent residence programme remains active. So, investors can still opt for the residency-by-investment path through property purchase or renting.
What to Discover in This Guide?
Citizenship by Merit
Malta’s citizenship-by-merit program was introduced in 2025 following the termination of the citizenship-by-investment route. This route offers citizenship based on making an exceptional contribution national interest. The idea of “exceptional contribution” means adding value to the nation.
Supporting these, eligible applicants include:
- Scientists and researchers
- Athletes and sports persons
- Artists
- Entrepreneurs
- Other areas where you can prove your expertise can contribute to Malta
Note that you may include your dependents in your application depending on your situation.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Citizenship by Merit?
To be eligible for the Maltese Citizenship by Merit, you can follow the requirements stated below:
- Showing an exceptional talent or achievement in a field
- Making a contribution to Malta’s economy, culture, or science
- Undergoing a comprehensive background check
- Verifying your achievements or contributions
Based on the criteria above, your application will be examined and assessed by an Independent Board, consisting of experts.
How to Apply for Maltese Citizenship by Merit Route?
There are basically five steps you should follow to get citizenship by merit in Malta. These are briefly stated below:
- Apply for a legal residency in Malta and get it before your application.
- After obtaining your residency, you must submit a comprehensive overview of your achievements that demonstrates an exceptional contribution to Malta.
- If you receive your approval, you can apply for naturalization.
- At the end of the route, if you are considered eligible, your citizenship will be approved by the Minister.
Another Option: Malta Permanent Residency by Investment
Malta Permanent Residency by Investment (MPRP) is a residency-by-investment program that allows non-EU nationals to obtain permanent residency in Malta through a qualifying investment. The program grants the right to live indefinitely in Malta and enjoy visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.
To qualify, you must meet a combination of requirements, including leasing or purchasing property in Malta. You must also demonstrate sufficient financial means and pass strict due-diligence checks.
Successful applicants receive permanent residence status for themselves and eligible family members, with no minimum stay requirement. While the program does not grant citizenship, it provides a long-term foothold in the EU and the possibility to apply for citizenship later.
The Old Program: Citizenship by Investment Malta (MEIN)
Citizenship by Investment Malta was a popular investment program in Europe, primarily because it benefited the investors in the long run. The Maltese Government introduced it to facilitate foreign investment and the flow of business expertise into the country.
However, the current regime was ruled “illegal” by the European Court of Justice in April 2025. It claimed it was a commercial transaction, as it lacks the requirement of real ties to Maltese culture. Therefore, the program has ended, and Malta has introduced its citizenship-by-merit program.
Eligibility for Malta Citizenship by Investment
The Community Malta Agency controls Malta Citizenship by Investment. According to this federal government agency, the principal applicant must satisfy the following eligibility criteria.
- You have to be 18 years old or older.
- An investment of at least €600,000 if you have completed 36 months of residency in Malta, or €750,000 after residing in the country for 12 months.
- Buy a residential property worth at least €700,000 in Malta, and that must be held for a minimum of five years. An alternative is to lease a residence with an annual rental value of €16,000.
Note: You’re not allowed to sublet or sell this property during these five years.
- Donate an amount of €10,000 to any organization approved by the Community Malta Agency. You can also donate to a registered non-governmental organization or society for sport, culture, science, philanthropy, or animal welfare.
- A valid residence card to apply for citizenship. Upon purchasing real estate, you’re issued a Malta identity document called an e-ID card.
- You and your family members must be in good health.
Since this program attracts wealthy foreign investors of high standards, you will be subject to due diligence. However, we will discuss this part in the later session of the article.
Benefits of the Malta IIP for you and your family
Malta (IIP) offered many benefits in exchange for an investment that contributes to the nation’s economy, making it one of the best citizenship-by-investment countries.
- Work or Study in EU countries
- Visa-Free Travel to 186 Countries, Including USA
- Quality Life for Family
- Access to the Maltese Healthcare System
Malta Citizenship by Investment Program
The New Malta Citizenship by Investment Program led you to Malta (EU) residency and a second passport. However, all applications submitted for the program were thoroughly examined, and unless the authorities were satisfied, the application was not forwarded for further processing.
And so, there were a few requirements that you had to satisfy to be eligible for the program.
Investment Requirements
Qualifying investments for the Maltese Citizenship program were any amount between €700,000 – €1,460,000. Below was a detailed structure of the investment requirements.
Investment 1: Contribution
When you applied for Maltese citizenship by investment, you were required to contribute to the National Development and Social Fund, which was organized by the Government and managed by a board of trustees. These funds finance projects such as public health, education, job creation, and social improvement.
You had to contribute €600,000 if you had proved your residency for 36 months in the country, or €750,000 if you had proved your residency for 12 months. Not to mention, this contribution was non-refundable.
Note: An additional €50,000 was required for each dependent.
Investment 2: Fund
In addition to the contribution, you were required to donate at least €10,000 to a registered non-governmental organization or society. It must be a charitable organization.
Investment 3: Real Estate
Purchasing a real estate property with a minimum value of €700,000 or leasing a property with a minimum annual rent of €16,000 is compulsory. Moreover, you had to retain the purchased or rented property for at least five years from the date of the certificate of citizenship.
Malta Citizenship by Investment Residency Requirements
Just like the investment requirements, you had to qualify for the residency requirements as well. According to the new regulations, you and your dependents must hold Maltese residency for at least 1 year. For 12 months, the minimum investment was €750,000. There was a new option if you wished to save money.
If you gave evidence of three years of residency in Malta, you would obtain Maltese citizenship by investing just €600,000, consequently saving €150,000.
Moreover, to attain residency, you had to apply with your licensed agent’s help. Once it was cleared by the Community Malta Agency and the Maltese police, your appointment would be fixed within six months of the approval. Lastly, you will be issued your e-ID card, which will prove your residency in the country.
Family Inclusion
Family members– the spouse and children younger than 18–can be included as dependents in a citizenship application by the primary applicant. Furthermore, dependent children up to the age of 25 and parents and grandparents over the age of 55 may also be included.
Taxes
The Maltese tax system, like in other European countries, taxes individuals based on their domicile and residency rather than their citizenship. Individuals must reside in Malta for at least 183 days per year to be subject to tax on their income and capital gains in Malta. Non-residents are only subject to tax on income and capital gains arising in Malta.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is levied at 12% on the sale of a main residence within three years, but if retained for five years, no tax is levied on the sale. There are no inheritance or death taxes, net worth, or wealth taxes in Malta.
Key Benefits
Maltese citizenship provides applicants and their families with the full rights of EU citizens, including the ability to live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union.
Applicants gain a European passport through the citizenship process, which provides visa-free access to more than 180 countries and regions, including the UK, USA, and Canada.
The application process for Maltese citizenship is lengthy and can take up to a year to complete. In addition to the investment requirements, applicants should budget between €60,000 and €80,000 for legal costs to process their applications through an accredited law firm.
Malta is a full member of the European Union and part of the EU Schengen zone. As a result, citizens of Malta are also European citizens, granting them the freedom to travel, live, work, or study anywhere within the European Union. Maltese citizens and passport holders may reside in any of the 28 countries that make up the EU.
Get Golden Visa: Who We Are And How We Can Help You
Get Golden Visa is a full-service investment immigration agency. We provide end-to-end solutions for residence and citizenship-by-investment programs in numerous countries worldwide.
We work with clients from all around the world who are interested in obtaining Maltese citizenship or residency.
Contact us and speak with one of our experienced team members to answer any questions you may have.
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Malta Citizenship Scheme Application Timeline
The overall Malta citizenship by investment timeline usually takes about 12 to 18 months.
Preparation lasts about 2 months.
- Compile all necessary supporting documents and create the application file.
- Arrange for the documents to be signed by a Maltese Consul.
- Avail the fast-track option for a Residency Card that can be obtained in 1-3 weeks.
Processing time lasts about 4 months
- Submit a Full Citizenship Application to Identity Malta.
- The application is subject to a review process that includes a review of the source of funds and background checks.
- IM applies a risk weighting to the application.
- Once approved, an In Principle Approval is granted.
Compliance time takes about 4 months.
- The applicant has 25 days to pay the contribution required for citizenship.
- Purchase or rent property as required.
- Submit the Health Cover documents.
- The applicant must take an Oath of Allegiance and obtain the Naturalization Certificate.
- Wait for 12 months to complete the naturalization process.
The application for the Malta investment must be made on the prescribed forms and accompanied by the relevant fees and documents. Since the application is subject to rigorous due diligence, it will be declined if any false information is detected.
Timeline
Here is the scheme application timeline.
- Power of Attorney to a Licensed Agent: Hire a power of attorney that acts as your lawful agent. The power of attorney will remain in function till the end of the procedure.
- Tier 1: The agent then performs due diligence and applies. Post that, the Community Malta Agency and the Police conduct further due diligence. If the application obtains clearance from both, the process continues.
- Citizenship Eligibility: A form for citizenship eligibility will now be submitted with the residence permit application. Along with that, the agent has to submit your birth and marriage certificates to the Public Registry and the Passport Office.
- Tier 2: Tier 2 due diligence is performed to ensure the application’s correctness and completeness. You may be asked for a few more documents to record any additional information.
The agency also conducts Tier 3 and Tier 4 due diligence, and the forms are then presented to the Minister, who determines whether you’re eligible for the program.
Depending on your level of contribution, the attorney/agent presents the Malta Citizenship Application to the agency. Likewise, the due diligence is updated, and the application is sent to the Minister to decide whether citizenship can be granted to you.
Provided that you’ve satisfied the investment and residency requirements, you’re invited to Malta to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Ultimately, you’ll receive the Certificate of Naturalization and a Maltese Passport.
Note: After you’ve attained citizenship, the Community Malta Agency does continuous monitoring for five years.
Due Diligence
After a few days of receiving the Eligibility Payment Request Voucher (EPRV), the Community Malta Agency performs due diligence to validate it.
This process in the new Malta Citizenship by Investment Program has been strengthened to ensure that capital is legally inherited. Each application undergoes a stringent due diligence process, including thorough background checks. Besides, you have to provide valid documents such as criminal police records, proof of the source of funds, and principal wealth.
Malta has the highest standard of diligence and has rejected around 23 percent of the total applications received. Four-tier due diligence is conducted on each application, and even the smallest suspicion from the agency’s end can result in the decline of the application.
However, the procedures require the payment of the following Due Diligence fees;
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant | €15,000 |
| Dependents | €10,000 |
| Sponsors/Benefactors | €15,000 |
In addition, administrative fees are charged for all eligibility applications.
Administrative fee per applicant: One Thousand Euro €1,000 (exclusive of other taxes).
Tax Consequences of Citizenship in Malta
If you obtain your European citizenship through the Malta citizenship-by-investment program, there will be no tax consequences. Becoming a Maltese citizen alone doesn’t change you or your family’s tax treatment unless you take up the tax residence. Or, in simpler words, unless you’re a domicile of Malta.
Even if you relocate to Malta, you can retain non-domicile status and enjoy extremely advantageous tax treatment. Besides, you’re only required to pay tax on the income you earn in the country. Furthermore, you will not be subject to tax on foreign income or other capital gains arising outside Malta. This is so because the foreign source of income is kept in bank accounts outside the country.
In addition, Malta imposes no taxes on:
- inheritance or death,
- an extensive network of double taxation agreements,
- estate duty,
- net worth or wealth taxes,
- municipal taxes, rates, or real estate taxes.
Malta is involved in double taxation treaties with around 60 countries globally.
Moreover, if you decide to sell your property after holding it for five years and using it for sole and ordinary residence, no taxes will be imposed. However, if it is sold before the lapse of three years, a property tax of 12% of the selling price will be exacted.
Although Malta has a 35% corporate tax rate, special tax concessions apply to non-resident or non-domiciled business people or company owners.
Dual Citizenship Malta
Isn’t it great that you can now become a resident of two different countries simultaneously for business and tax relief? Many countries like the USA, France, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Malta, and many more, provide dual citizenship, which means you get more independence and control to do business.
Furthermore, Malta’s Citizenship Act mentions explicitly that Malta dual citizenship is permitted. Stating that, as of 10th February 2000, a Maltese resident may acquire and retain foreign citizenship(s) alongside his/her Maltese citizenship.
While Malta imposes no restrictions on issuing a Maltese passport, your current country of origin may restrict you from holding a second Maltese passport. Apart from that, you have to follow a particular procedure to receive dual citizenship.
Visa-free Destinations with the IIP Malta Program
Indeed, holding a Maltese passport gives you the freedom to own and operate a business and to own company shares. It also allows you to travel without the hassles of arranging a visa to some of the world’s most important countries.
The Malta Citizenship by Investment program helps you acquire a Maltese passport, making you eligible to travel to many countries globally without a visa!
Since it also offers the freedom to work in Europe, people with Malta passports can also to move to European countries like Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK).
It also offers the benefit of waiving the need for United States visas. Apart from that, Malta joined the Schengen Area in 2007 after signing the Schengen Agreement, which removed all internal borders among member states. Therefore, Malta grants its citizens freedom to travel to all 26 Schengen visa countries without border checks.
Alternatives to Malta Citizenship by Investment
In recent years, many countries have designed immigrant investor programs to attract foreign businessmen. As a result, these nations are experiencing massive economic growth and the professional growth of their citizens.
The ‘Citizenship by Investment Program Malta’ has contributed to the nation’s welfare and advancement, and countries like Portugal, Greece, and Spain offer similar schemes.
These countries offer a golden visa, a permanent residency visa issued to individuals. To get this visa, you have to invest in the country’s economy by purchasing property or donating a certain sum of money to the issuing country.
Portugal Golden Visa
The Portugal Golden Visa program is a route to secure residency in the country by investing in funds. The program was launched in 2012 to encourage foreign investors and businessmen to relocate to Portugal and glorify the country’s economy. As of September 2023, the program has received over €7.5 billion in investment from over 12,000 investors since its inception.
Requirements:
- Invest in Portugal investment funds for €500,000.
- And other options, such as donation or company creation.
Benefits
- Get a European passport (second passport) in 5 years.
- Travel to 26 EU countries and 188 countries without a Visa.
- Health and education benefits.
- Right to access public services like healthcare, education, and security.
Greece Golden Visa
If you wish to obtain permanent Greek residency, the Greece Golden Visa is the safest route. Under this program, launched in 2013, non-EU nationals can invest in Greek real estate and apply for residency.
Requirements
- Invest a minimum of EUR 250,000, including applicable taxes.
- A 10-year lease agreement for a hotel or furnished residential accommodation.
- A capital contribution of at least EUR 400,000 to a company registered or established in Greece.
Benefits
- Lower investment rate than other EU countries.
- Visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone.
- Access to Greek education and healthcare
Lastly, with an increasing number of high-net-worth individuals evaluating options to invest in immigration and expand their business horizons, Malta offers excellent business opportunities and a high quality of life.
Therefore, if you are planning to relocate for business, Malta can be your lucky island!
If you need more help regarding the program, feel free to contact us. You can also explore “Citizenship by Donation”.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a citizen in Malta by naturalization?
Acquiring Maltese citizenship through naturalization can be a lengthy process, spanning at least 7 years. For non-Maltese individuals without family connections to Malta, the path to citizenship involves meeting specific residence requirements. Applicants must have lived in the country with a permanent residence and residence permit for a cumulative period of four years within the last six years. Once these criteria are met, they can begin the process of applying for citizenship through naturalization.
How much do I need to invest in the Malta Golden Visa?
Individuals seeking to obtain a Maltese residence permit through the country’s investment immigration program have two options for meeting the investment requirements. The first option involves making a minimum investment of €600,000 if the applicant has completed 36 months of residency in Malta, or €750,000 if they have resided in the country for 12 months. Alternatively, applicants may opt to purchase a residential property in Malta with a minimum value of €700,000. The property must be held for at least five years. An alternative to purchasing property is leasing a residence with an annual rental value of €16,000.
How long does it take to get a Malta Golden Visa?
The process of applying for a Golden Visa in Malta can take from four months to a year, depending on various factors. Moreover, individuals seeking Maltese citizenship through naturalization must meet specific residency requirements. Specifically, applicants must reside in Malta for at least one year before being eligible to apply for citizenship. This requirement underscores Malta’s commitment to ensuring that prospective citizens have a strong connection to the country and its culture before being granted citizenship.
What is the Malta Passport Ranking in 2025?
Malta’s passport ranking stands at 7th globally in 2025, reflecting its strong international mobility. Maltese passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190 countries, making it one of the most powerful passports in the world.
