Malta Citizenship: Security. Opportunity. Peace of mind.

Malta (EU) immigration by investment programs for investors and their families.

In an effort to support the country's economy, Malta, located south of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea, is offering the Malta residency or Malta citizenship (Malta passport) to foreign investors. Because Malta is a member of the European Union (EU), a passport from Malta conveys rights and privileges similar to the passports of Germany, France, or any other EU country. As such, Malta passport holders may live, work or study in any country belonging to the European Union.  

International business executives, investors, VIPs as well as affluent citizens worldwide consider Malta citizenship a powerful asset and safety net should the living conditions at home become unbearable. 

*** November 20, 2020: Citizenship Program Update: The Citizenship for Exceptional Services program, Malta's new citizenship by investment program, was officially announced today, and we are now accepting new applicants. The original Malta IIP Individual Investor citizenship program has been discontinued after reaching its quota. ***

Live, work or study in any of the EU countries

The Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program provides for affluent persons of impeccable standing and repute, including their families, to receive Maltese citizenship on the basis of an investment in Malta. Once Malta citizenship is granted, the applicant may live, work or study in any of the member countries of the European Union.

Applicants are not required to continuously live in Malta before or after citizenship approval.

Visa free travel to over 180 countries, including the USA

Malta citizenship offers full European Union benefits, including Schengen borderless travel and a United States visa waiver. This means visa-free travel to more than 180 countries in the world, including the USA, Canada, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and most countries in North, Central and South America.

A better quality of life for the family

Malta is a safe country that offers a low cost of living index. Clean air, property rights, and freedom of speech are enjoyed by all. Multiple cultures live side by side in peace and harmony. The country has long been a vacation spot for Europeans and high net worth individuals who flock to the island for its sunny and warm climate year-round. Malta offers a modern infrastructure ranging from reliable phone and internet service to secure banking to well-established air and sea routes connecting the island to the European mainland and international destinations.

A better education for the applicant’s children

Because of the country's history as a former British colony the Maltese school system reflects the British structure. There are two school categories: state schools and private schools. State schools are free to all students (including free transportation and free books), while private schools such as international schools charge tuition fees. For more information about the Maltese school system please click here.

Malta Citizenship / Malta Residency

Immigration by Investment Program Summary

Malta Citizenship by Investment (CITIZENSHIP FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES)

The Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services program, leading to the Malta passport, is available to qualified investors at EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option) plus legal and application fees, a philanthropic donation, and a property lease or rental. Standard processing for permanent residency (Step 1) is about 15 working days. The application for citizenship (Step 2) may be filed after 12 or 36 months in residency status depending on the investment option chosen.

Malta residency provides Schengen 90-day visa-free travel and the right (but no obligation) to live in Malta year-round. All applicants are required to purchase or lease a property in Malta in addition to making the required investment.

Malta Residency and Visa Program (MRVP)

The MRVP program, also known as the "Malta Golden Visa", is a permanent residency program for non-EU nationals, requires a one-time investment, and provides a permanent residency certificate which is valid for life. Investment options include a Financing Package at a one-time, non-recoverable expense of EUR 120,000 which covers all government, financing, and legal fees. The second investment option is a Bond Purchase and costs EUR 250,000 for the bonds (refundable after 5 years) plus a EUR 30,000 government contribution. Further, the MRVP main applicant must declare that he/she has an annual income of at least EUR 100,000 arising outside of Malta, or that he/she owns assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, other) valued at no less than EUR 500,000. Applicants using the financing package must also demonstrate EUR 250,000 in liquid funds such as bank savings. Standard processing is about 6-8 months.

Malta Global Residency Program (GRP)

The Malta GRP program is a 1-year residency visa for non-EU nationals that offers visa-free Schengen travel benefits and special tax advantages. The  required recurring minimum expense is approximately EUR 24,000 every year to avoid expiration. The processing time is approximately 90 days.

Malta Ordinary Residence (OR)

The Malta OR program is only available for EU nationals (citizens of the EU including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland) who want to live in Malta 183 days per year or longer, and requires the applicant to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency, which is defined as having available funds of at least EUR 14,000 for a single person (EUR 23,000 for married couples). Income brought into Malta is fully taxable.

Malta Residence Program (TRP)

The Malta tax residency program for EU citizens requires applicants to declare they do not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction outside of Malta, but there is no requirement to spend 183 days inside Malta. The special tax rate on income brought into Malta is 15% (annual minimum tax: EUR 15,000).


Please contact us for a detailed cost estimate or confidential consultation.  Our attorneys are ready to assist you and answer any questions you might have about the Malta Citizenship or Malta Residency immigration by investment programs.

Malta Citizenship / Malta Residency

Program Introduction

The government of Malta, a member of the European Union, is offering Malta citizenship and residency to international investors who contribute to the country's economic development.

Maltese citizenship may be granted under legal notice L.N. 437 of 2020, Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (S.L. 188.05), amending the Maltese Citizenship Act, Chapter 188 of the Laws of Malta.

The Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program offers affluent persons of impeccable standing to receive Maltese residency and citizenship on the basis of an investment in Malta. Malta citizenship grants the permission to live, work or study in any country of the European Union. Applicants are not required to continuously live in Malta before or after citizenship approval.

The Malta residency programs (GRP, MRVP, OR, and TRP) allow applicants to live in Malta and travel visa-free to all European countries within the Schengen area.

Qualified candidates include international business executives, investors, public figures / VIPs, and private citizens who meet the minimum application requirements.

Malta Citizenship / Malta Residency

Application Requirements

To qualify for any of the immigration by investment programs the main applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have a clean criminal record. The main applicant may also add dependents to a residency or citizenship application, including his/her spouse, minor children, adult children who are unmarried and economically-dependent, and all dependent parents or grandparents.

The following provides a summary of the investment requirements. Please use our contact form to receive a detailed quotation which depends on the number of family members to be included.

A) MALTA CITIZENSHIP FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM

This new citizenship program, launched in 2020 and replacing the successful Individual Investor (IIP) program, leads to the Malta (EU) citizenship and passport. As a Malta citizen you are allowed to live, work, study in any of the 26 European Union countries because Malta is a member of the European Union. Malta citizenship also grants you access to all investment opportunities in Malta and throughout the EU member nations, as well as visa-free travel to more than 180 countries in the world, including the USA, Canada, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and most countries in North, Central and South America.

Program Highlights:

The main applicant is required to make an Exceptional Direct Investment (non-refundable donation) in the amount of EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option). The investment required for each additional dependent is EUR 50,000.

In addition, the main applicant must make a philanthropic donation in the amount of EUR 10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization.

In addition, the main applicant must establish a residence in Malta through either (a) purchasing real estate valued at no less than EUR 700,000 or (b) renting a property at no less than EUR 16,000 per year. The required holding period is five years from the date of receiving citizenship. 

Malta government charges include a residence permit fee (main applicant: EUR 5,000, dependents: EUR 1,000 each), citizenship eligibility due diligence fee (main applicant: EUR 15,000, dependents: EUR 10,000 each), citizenship eligibility administrative fee (each applicant: EUR 1,000), and a citizenship administrative fee (main applicant: EUR 5,000, dependents: EUR 1,000 each).

The minimum one-time cost for a single applicant under the Citizenship for Exceptional Services Program is approximately €650,000 excluding legal fees. Please contact us for a comprehensive quotation.

The timeframe for application processing is about 15 working days for the Permanent Residency (Step 1). The application for citizenship (Step 2) may be filed after 12 or 36 months in residency status depending on the investment option chosen.


NOTE: The Exceptional Direct Investment and philanthropic donation need only be made after the applicant has received the Citizenship Approval in Principle from the Malta government. This means no investments are due without the application having been approved.

B) The Malta Residency and Visa Program (MRVP)

Also known as the "Malta Golden Visa", the MRVP program for non-EU nationals leads to Malta permanent residency (meaning the permission to live in Malta as long as desired), visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, and the option to apply for a Malta work permit.

This program requires a one-time investment and does not need to be renewed each year. The processing time is about 6 to 8 months.

Program Highlights:

The MRVP program offers two investment options. The first option is a financing package at a one-time, non-recoverable expense of EUR 120,000 plus EUR 10,000 annual property lease (a property purchase is also acceptable). This expense covers all government, financing, and legal fees. The benefit of this option is a lower upfront cash payment.

The second option is a bond investment which can be sold after a 5 year holding period. The total cost for this option is EUR 250,000 for the bonds (refundable after 5 years) plus EUR 30,000 government contribution plus EUR 10,000 annual property lease (a property purchase is also acceptable) plus legal fees. The benefit of this option is a much lower total cost because the investor may sell the bonds after 5 years.

Regardless of which MRVP investment option is chosen, the main applicant must declare that he/she has an annual income of at least EUR 100,000 arising outside of Malta, or that he/she owns assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, other) valued at no less than EUR 500,000. Applicants using the financing package must also demonstrate EUR 250,000 in liquid reserve funds such as bank savings, that cannot be used for the application.
 

NOTE: The Malta MRVP permanent residency does not automatically lead to Malta citizenship (Malta passport). While Malta residents may apply for Malta citizenship after six years in residency status, approvals can take 10-15 years! Further, the citizenship application may be approved or rejected entirely at the discretion of the minister and the department in charge at that time. Therefore, there is no guarantee that an approval will be granted at that time.

C) The Global Residence Program (GRP)

The GRP program for non-EU nationals offers 1-year residency in Malta, 90-day visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area, and the option to apply for a Malta work permit.

GRP visa applicants may also benefit from Malta's low flat tax rate of 15% chargeable on all income remitted to Malta from foreign sources, subject to a minimum annual tax of EUR 15,000. To take advantage of this benefit GRP applicants must refrain from staying in any other jurisdiction for more than 182 days and becoming a tax resident in that other country.

Malta Residency status under the GRP program needs to be renewed annually to avoid expiration. This program is desirable especially for applicants who only require temporary EU residency status.

Program Highlights:

The annual expense, a minimum tax, to renew residency is approximately EUR 15,000. Further, the applicant is required to rent a residence (house or apartment) at an annual lease of no less than EUR 8,750 (a property purchase is also acceptable). Thus, the total minimum expense to renew the GRP permit each year is approximately EUR 24,000.


NOTE: The Malta GRP residency visa does not automatically lead to Malta citizenship (Malta passport). While Malta residents may apply for Malta citizenship after six years in residency status, approvals typically take 10-15 years! Further, the citizenship application may be approved or rejected entirely at the discretion of the minister and the department in charge at that time. Therefore, there is no guarantee that an approval will be granted at that time.

D) The Ordinary Residence Program (OR)

The OR program is available to EU nationals who want to live in Malta 183 days per year or longer, and who can demonstrates financial self-sufficiency, which is defined as having available funds of at least EUR 14,000 for a single person (EUR 23,000 for married couples).

Further, the applicant must purchase or lease a property in Malta. There is no minimum property value requirement.

Benefits include the freedom to reside and work in Malta, visa-free Schengen travel, and fast processing (6-8 weeks).

Applicants who do not declare Malta their domicile are taxable on income generated inside of Malta or generated outside of Malta and brought into the country at standard progressive income tax rates. Income generated outside of Malta and not brought into the country is not taxable. Family members can be included.

E) The Residence Program (TRP)

The tax residency program for EU-nationals requires applicants to declare they do not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction outside of Malta. But this does not mean they have to spend 183 days inside of Malta.

Applicants must purchase or lease a property in Malta with a minimum property value of EUR 275,000 for property in Central/North Malta (or EUR 220,000 for property in Gozo or South Malta). Candidates may alternatively opt for rental of property at EUR 9,600 (or EUR 8,750 per year in Gozo/South Malta).

Benefits include the freedom to reside and work in Malta, visa-free Schengen travel, fast processing (3–4 months), and a 15% flat rate tax on all income remitted to Malta. There is an annual minimum tax of EUR 15,000. Family members and domestic staff can be included.

Malta Citizenship / Malta Residency

Malta Immigration by Investment Benefits

Reasons for an Malta citizenship or residency include providing a better quality of life for the investor and his/her family, retirement, arranging for international tax planning, or establishing a safety net should the living conditions at home become unbearable.

Free Movement of Persons

The whole family can obtain Malta citizenship (Malta passport) i.e. the main applicant, a spouse, children, and parents can all travel, reside and work freely within the EU.

Free Movement of Services

Malta citizens and their companies can offer services within EU member states without obstacles.

Free Movement of Capital

Malta passport holders can transfer funds between EU member states, purchase property in any preferred EU country, and invest in any type of business venture.

Free Movement of Goods

All goods produced in EU member states can be freely transferred between countries of the European Union.

No Requirement to Physically Reside in Malta

The applicant and his/her dependents are not required to reside in Malta before the filing of a citizenship application, or after obtaining Malta citizenship.

Attractive Tax System

Malta is an attractive financial center due to its highly favorable tax system and strategic location at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia.

Blockchain Technology Friendly

Malta is fast establishing itself as the premier destination for blockchain projects, such as cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Litecoin, others). The government's regulatory framework covers ICO's (all tokens), crypto trading exchanges and licensing, asset management, VFA services, and similar blockchain technology endeavors, thus making Malta one of the world’s friendliest jurisdiction for the sector. Please use our blockchain contact form for additional information.

High Standard of Living

Malta citizenship holders benefit from a high standard of living due to their access to reputable private schools, trustworthy private medical facilities and Malta having among the lowest crime rates within Europe. In Malta, multiple cultures live side by side in peace and harmony. The air is unpolluted, property rights are codified into law, and residents/citizens enjoy freedom of expression.

Visa Free Travel

Malta passport holders do not require a visa to travel within the EU and also to travel to many non-EU countries. Malta residents enjoy visa-free Schengen travel of up to 90 days in a 6-month period.

Malta Citizenship / Malta Residency

Malta's Standing in the European Union

Malta is a safe, neutral and respected member of the European Union since 2004 and part of the Schengen Area since 2007.

The country enjoys a stable political climate and a bi-partisan political scene that is largely convergent on issues of national and economic importance.

Malta has weathered the financial crisis well and shared the limelight with Germany as the only two states maintaining economic growth in the Euro Zone. Malta's banks have been ranked amongst the top 5 soundest banks in the world.

The Island offers a rich, contemporary cultural lifestyle, temperate climate and fascinating history. Malta is also a state of the art financial and business hub due to its competitive tax system and offers significant advantages to foreign entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and investors seeking an attractive yet safe business environment.

For the last two decades Malta has enjoyed solid and constant growth in its financial services industry and is fast becoming the jurisdiction of choice to international corporate groups seeking an ideal hub from which to do business within the EU, Middle East and North African markets.

Malta Citizenship / Malta Residency

Our Qualifications

Our attorneys are accredited Authorized Registered Mandatories (ARM), a designation required by the Maltese Government to manage Malta citizenship by investment applications.

Our team consists of immigration specialists working exclusively on Malta citizenship & residence matters and will stand by your side throughout the entire application process, from start to finish. We will work with you until your Malta citizenship or residency by investment application has been approved and you have received your residence and/or citizenship certificate.

In addition to immigration law our associates provide company formation and tax advisory services to clients including high net worth individuals, owner-managed businesses, and larger corporations.
 

Services offered:

•    • Advising you on your chances of success before filing your application;
•    • Providing you with pre-immigration legal and tax advice;
•    • Guiding you with the preparation of supporting documentation;
•    • Vetting and preparing all supporting documentation for submission;
•    • Corresponding and liaising with government authorities on your behalf during the application process;
•    • Obtaining application progress updates on your behalf.

Additional services (if needed):

•    • Finding Malta real estate available for sale or leasing;
•    • Providing legal and notarial representation on purchase, rental, and re-sale of Malta property;
•    • Coordinating architectural surveys & planning applications and referrals to interior designers & contractors;
•    • Advising on personal and corporate international tax planning;
•    • Dealing with all periodical tax matters, including annual returns and tax payments;
•    • Drawing up of wills, international probate;
•    • Assisting with the administration of estates, foundations, and trusts;
•    • Advising on the formation and management of trading and holding companies in Malta;
•    • Assisting with yacht registration & VAT planning.  

Malta Citizenship / Malta Residency

Next Steps

Step #1: Contact Us. Please use our contact form to receive a detailed cost estimate for you and your family. If you apply for more than one family ask us about a group discount. There is no fee for this initial consultation.

Step #2: Document Preparation. Should you wish to proceed with a residency or citizenship application, the immigration attorney assigned to your case will assist with completing all application forms and collecting all supporting documents. The complete application case file is then submitted to the Maltese government for processing.

Step #3: Application Processing. The Maltese government now reviews the application and conducts background checks. For citizenship applications, residency processing can be as fast as 15 working days, whereas MRVP applications usually take 6-8 months to process. If the application is approved, the government will issue an Approval in Principle.

Step #4: Compliance Period. After receiving the Approval in Principle the applicant makes all required investments.

Step #5: Certificate of Naturalization & Passport. The final step for citizenship applicants is to take an Oath of Allegiance. The Maltese government will then issue the Certificate of Naturalization, and the applicant can request his/her Maltese (EU) passport.

Malta citizenship requires 12 or 36 months in residency status (depending on the investment option chosen). While average citizenship processing times under the newly launched Citizenship for Exceptional Services program have not yet been established, processing times under the previous program ranged from 3 to 6 months.

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I am interested in the Malta citizenship by investment program starting from €650,000 plus fees and property purchase or rental. I am interested in the Malta permanent residency program (MRVP) at a cost starting from €120,000 plus property purchase or rental. I am interested in the Malta 1-year Global Residency Program (GRP) at a renewal cost of at least €15,000 per year plus property purchase or rental.  I am a citizen of a EU member country. I am interested in the Malta Ordinary Residence (OR) or The Residence Program (TRP). Other: Please describe your interest in the box below, or use our automatic Product Finder Tool to find an immigration by investment program that best fits your budget. Unfortunately we cannot assist with asylum cases, tourist visas, passport renewals, or job referrals.
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Zenturo Ltd.

Residency & Citizenship by Investment Programs Worldwide

394A / 395A, Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp
Santa Venera SVR 1016, Malta

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