€750,000+
Minimum Investment Amount12-36 Months
Average Obtaining Period3 Years
Until the Maltese PassportMalta’s Pathway to Citizenship Overview
The Malta’s Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations enables foreign investors to directly become Citizens. This is far stricter than its Residency counterpart, and anyone endeavoring through it must deeply commit to Malta and pass through rigid due-diligence processes and checks.
How to get Maltese Citizenship
The Malta’s Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations has four consecutive stages, all of which must first be completed before moving onto the next.
- Residency Stage – the applicant and adult dependents must first hold a Residency Card for either 36 months or a minimum of 12 months.
- Eligibility Stage – after Residency status has been given and the Cards issued, the applicant(s) can start the process for Citizenship eligibility. This must be started in the first 36 or 12 months of obtaining the Residency Card, respectively, according to the situation.
- Approval Stage – after due diligence has been conducted, a Letter of Approval will be issued, stating the application can proceed.
- Citizenship Stage – further due diligence will be carried out, and if everything is in order, Citizenship status will be granted.
Benefits of Maltese Citizenship
Residency in Malta
As a Citizen, you are entitled to reside in Malta, though you are not obligated to. Regardless, Malta is a politically stable and safe country, perfect for creating roots or keeping as an option for an abroad vacation or a Plan B.
Visa-free Travel
As a holder of this powerful passport, you are entitled to travel to more than 180 countries worldwide without a visa, including those in the European Schengen Area.
Family Inclusion
The main applicant can include the spouse, any children between both, despite relation, under the age of 18; or until 29 if they are unmarried. Parents and grandparents over 55 of the applicant and spouse also qualify. All must be financially dependent on the main applicant.
EU’s Freedoms
As a Maltese citizen, you can enjoy the four freedoms that unite the European Union in a single market with a common currency. You are entitled to travel anywhere within the Schengen Zone, reside and work in other EU countries, engage in business and trade in goods and services.
Access to a Higher Standard of Living
Malta boasts a higher standard of living, and this is visible across all societal levels, including healthcare, education, security, and transportation.
Full Citizenship Rights
As a Maltese citizen, you are entitled to full citizenship rights, including all legal protections for Malta’s citizens, and the right to vote and hold public office.
Investment Options for the Malta’s Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations
As a program exclusively dedicated to Real Estate, Citizenship can be obtained either by purchasing or renting property in Malta.
Real Estate
Investing in Maltese Real Estate
Malta has the particularity of having a Residency and a Citizenship program, which are both exclusive to investment in properties. This comes from the existence of a plentiful, healthy Real Estate market which is not only consistently appreciating, but also an important cornerstone of the country’s economy.
Because of this Malta becomes an extremely enticing option, allowing worldwide investors to become Citizens through its program by investing in Real Estate. Though this Citizenship solution is extensive, requiring vast amounts of documentation and several strict due diligence checks, it is ultimately worthwhile, as it grants full legal status in a country within the European Union.
Timeline
The process of acquiring this Malta Citizenship program is extensive and lengthy, capable of taking up to more than 3 years. Though worth it in the end, it might not be the most suitable choice for everyone. Knowing this, Investment Visa’s advisory team has created the following step-by-step process for an initial glimpse of the process of obtaining this powerful passport.
Step-by-step process
1
Property Selection
Since the Citizenship option is exclusive to Real Estate, the first step is to choose a property in Malta. The property is only to be purchased if your application is approved, and there is no need to buy property before. Investment Visa boasts a wide range of qualifiable properties in Malta available for the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations.
2
Gathering the Funds
Acquiring the Maltese passport through the Citizenship option will require not only the purchase of the property but also a non-refundable direct investment in the country. Our team will advise you best on this.
3
Documentation Check
In their years of experience, our advisory team has worked intimately with the Malta Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulation, accompanying applicants through the lengthy process of obtaining Citizenship. They will refer you to all the necessary documentation to pass the program’s strict due diligence checks.
4
Citizenship Status Application
With the documents in order, and the application process going smoothly, passing along the necessary due diligence checks, it is now the time for the final submission. Our advisors will continue at your side through the process.
5
Citizenship Status Granted
Success! With a letter issued by the government, confirming you have been approved, all can proceed with the issuance of the Citizenship certificate. You can now enjoy all the benefits of Maltese Citizenship.
Cost Estimates
Considering a property purchase of €700,000 in Malta
Residency Stage:
Non-refundable donation to a registered philanthropic, cultural sport, scientific, animal welfare, or artistic organization
Residency Permits:
+ €1000 for each dependent
Residency Card Issuance:
Eligibility Stage:
Applicant due diligence fee:
Each dependent over the age of 12 due diligence fee:
Benefactor (if applicable):
Administrative fee per applicant and each dependent:
Citizenship Stage:
Direct Investment, if 36 Months Residency:
Direct Investment, if 12 Months Residency:
Each dependent’s Direct Investment:
Administrative fee per applicant and each dependent:
To better understand how it might cost, in total, to acquire the Malta passport, contact our advisors. They will analyze your situation and let you know the full cost estimates.
(1) Please be aware that this information is merely indicative, and not binding. It assumes the cost for a family of four, including two children. The final cost may vary according to your situation.
Moving to Malta?
Check our Guide to Find All You Need to Know about the Country
We Are Malta Citizenship Experts
Become a Malta citizen through its one-of-a-kind Citizenship program with Investment Visa’s help. Our team commits to a journey of success and ensuring you obtain Maltese citizenship.
Contact Us and Receive our Advice
With a team boasting more than 25 years of experience in working with investment immigration programs, and a proven record of tremendous accomplishment, with more than 40.000 satisfied clients, contacting Investment Visa is the first step toward a brighter future. Fill out our query forms, and one of our team members will contact you as soon as possible.
Investment Visa Experts
Malta is an excellent choice for anyone seeking Citizenship in the European Union, but if have your eyes set elsewhere, do not hesitate to contact us. As our name reflects, we work with investment visas from all over the world, and our experts can provide you with the best programs for you and your needs.
Investment Visa: Licensed Agent
If you are seeking to get and apply for Maltese citizenship, you should know that Agenzija Komunita Malta - Community Malta Agency - does not accept individual applications. All applications must be submitted through an officially licensed program promoter.
Investment Visa is an officially licensed program promoter approved by Government of Malta and can submit applications on our clients' behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Any future children born from a Maltese citizen also become Maltese. This also applies to any future grandchildren and generations.
No. There are no language requirements to apply for Citizenship. Plus, the country recognizes both English and Maltese as official languages.
Yes, under extremely specific and extenuating circumstances, Citizenship status may be revoked.
Yes. Malta does impose some restrictions on certain nationalities to apply for the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations . Contact Investment Visa to obtain advice in this regard.
Yes. You can obtain Malta Citizenship and maintain your original citizenship as well.
Yes. Not only do you have to visit Malta, but you must also live in Malta for a set period of time before citizenship status can be legally granted. You and all the adults in the application must also be present for the Oath of Allegiance.
The 36 months start being counted from the date of issuance of the Residency card. If the application covers multiple people, then the starting date will be on the last issued Residency card.
Obtaining Malta Citizenship takes at least 36 months of continuously living in Malta and going through due diligence checks. In some cases, by exception, the process may be shortened to 12 months.
Yes. According to the Global Passport Index, Malta has the 7th most powerful passport in the world.
