CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT BLOG

Malta Permanent Residency or Citizenship for International Investors

Malta Citizenship Program Ending? EU Court Rejects Malta's Citizenship by Investment Program.

We wish to inform you of a landmark ruling issued this week by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) concerning Malta’s Citizenship by Investment program, often referred to as a “golden passport” plan.  

The court ruled that Malta’s program - through which individuals could acquire Maltese (and thereby EU) citizenship by making qualifying investments - is incompatible with EU law. According to the court, this model amounts to a “commercialisation of the status of national of a Member State”, which undermines the principles of Union citizenship and sincere cooperation among EU Member States.

Key Takeaways:
• The CJEU has ordered Malta to terminate its "Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations" citizenship by investment program.
• The ruling emphasized that citizenship cannot be sold and must reflect a genuine connection to the country.
• The EU Commission’s long-standing opposition was upheld, as the court stated Malta failed to meet its obligations under the EU Treaties.

Malta’s Response:
The Government of Malta has issued a public statement affirming that it respects the court’s decision and is currently reviewing the legal implications. Importantly, the government clarified that:
• All decisions taken under the current and previous legal framework remain valid.
• A detailed review is underway to bring future procedures in line with the ruling.

What This Means for You:
While the long-term future of the program remains uncertain, we would like to share a few important observations:
• We expect that any applications already in progress may be grandfathered in, as is typically the case when programs are revised or closed.
• We anticipate a sharp rise in last-minute applications from individuals seeking to secure eligibility under the current rules.
• If you have been considering the Malta Citizenship by Investment program and believe it is the right path for you, we strongly encourage you to take immediate action.

Please contact us today to initiate your file or to ask any questions you may have. As always, we appreciate the opportunity to be of service.

Your Zenturo Team



Because immigration by investment programs can change over time please contact us to speak with an advisor or to receive a preliminary quotation. The information provided in this blog post is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal or financial advice.

---

MALTA INFORMATION CENTER

Everything you need to know about Malta citizenship, residency, and real estate.

Malta Citizenship

• A Comprehensive Guide to Malta Citizenship by Investment

• Does Malta allow dual citizenship with the USA?

• Do you get citizenship if you buy real estate in Malta?

• How easy is it to get Malta citizenship?

• How long does it take to get the Malta citizenship?

• What is the cost of the Malta citizenship by investment program?

• What is the difference between residency and citizenship of Malta?

• What are the benefits of Malta citizenship?

Malta Residency

• How easy is it to get Malta residency?

• How do you qualify for residency in Malta?

• Can I get residency in Malta if I buy a house?

• Can I get permanent residency in Malta by investment?

• How long does it take to get a Golden Visa in Malta?

Malta Real Estate

• A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Real Estate in Malta

• A Comprehensive Guide to Renting Property in Malta

• A Comprehensive Guide to Relocation to Malta

• Discover the Malta Lifestyle

• Investing in Malta Commercial Real Estate

• Investing in the Malta Residential Real Estate

• What are Malta Special Designated Areas (SDA)?

---

Click here for the Malta citizenship by investment program. Click here for the Malta residency programs.

To start the application process online please register here.

For a detailed cost estimate or to schedule a confidential consultation please use our contact form.