HOW TO GET MALTESE CITIZENSHIP IN 2026

Every current route to Maltese — and therefore EU — citizenship, compared honestly

Summary: In 2026 there are five routes to Maltese citizenship: Citizenship by Merit (exceptional contribution to Malta), ancestry / descent (registration through a Malta-born ancestor), naturalisation by residence (discretionary, after years of legal residence), marriage (registration after five years of marriage to a Maltese citizen), and birth or adoption. The investment route — buying citizenship — closed in 2025 and no longer exists. Malta permits dual citizenship, and Maltese citizenship carries full EU rights: living, working, and studying across the EU.

Route 1: Citizenship by Merit (CBM)

Who it fits: individuals whose track record — in innovation, science, entrepreneurship, culture, philanthropy, or similar fields — could constitute an exceptional contribution to Malta.

How it works: applicants first take up Maltese residency, then present a merit proposal assessed by the authorities, followed by eligibility examination and, if approved, citizenship. There is no fixed price and no guarantee: proposals are judged on their merit and full due diligence applies. Grants are discretionary and assessed case by case; Komunità Malta emphasises that Citizenship by Merit is not a programme or scheme, and is not a continuation of the former investment framework.

Full guide: the CBM framework, stages, and timeline →

Route 2: Ancestry / Descent

Who it fits: anyone with a parent, grandparent, or earlier ancestor born in Malta — including the large Maltese diaspora in Australia, Canada, the US, and the UK.

How it works: citizenship by registration, proven with a documented chain of civil-status records connecting you to your Malta-born ancestor. No investment, no residence requirement, no language test. Where family records are missing, a Malta records search can usually reconstruct the chain. This is the least expensive route to Maltese citizenship that exists — if you qualify, check it before considering anything else.

Full guide: eligibility, documents, and the free online assessment →

Route 3: Naturalisation by Residence

Who it fits: long-term legal residents of Malta who have made the island their genuine home.

How it works: under the Maltese Citizenship Act, naturalisation generally requires residence in Malta throughout the twelve months immediately preceding the application, plus at least four of the six years before that — and the grant remains at the discretion of the minister. It is a genuine route, but not an automatic one, and time spent as an MPRP permanent resident does not convert into citizenship after a set period. We assess naturalisation prospects realistically before recommending anyone rely on this path.

Start with residency: compare Malta residency programs →

Route 4: Marriage to a Maltese Citizen

How it works: the spouse of a Maltese citizen may apply for citizenship by registration after five years of marriage, provided the couple are still married and living together. Documentation is straightforward compared to other routes, but the five-year period is firm.

Route 5: Birth or Adoption

How it works: children of Maltese citizens generally acquire citizenship automatically at birth, including when born abroad. Birth in Malta alone does not confer citizenship for children born after 1989 unless a parent is Maltese or was born in Malta. Adopted children under ten acquire citizenship on adoption by a Maltese citizen. These cases turn on exact dates and family circumstances — if yours is close to a boundary, it is worth a document check rather than an assumption.

The Route That No Longer Exists: Investment

Malta ended citizenship by investment in 2025 following the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union. You cannot buy Maltese citizenship in 2026, and offers suggesting otherwise are a warning sign. Read the full story: Malta Citizenship by Investment — 2026 status, and if you are evaluating agents, see how to verify a licensed Malta citizenship agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the fastest way to get Maltese citizenship?
A: There is no fast track. Since the investment route closed in 2025, every path takes time: ancestry cases depend on how complete your family records are, Citizenship by Merit involves an 8-months residency stage (with no obligation to live in Malta continuously during this period) followed by an eligibility assessment, marriage requires five years of marriage while living together, and naturalisation by residence requires years of legal residence and remains discretionary. Be wary of anyone promising a quick Maltese passport — in 2026 that promise cannot lawfully be kept.

Q: Can I buy Maltese citizenship?
A: No. Malta ended its citizenship-by-investment route in 2025 following the Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in Commission v Malta. Citizenship by Merit — a discretionary, case-by-case grant — is based on exceptional contribution to Malta, not on a purchase. Permanent residency through the MPRP remains available, but residency is not citizenship.

Q: Does living in Malta lead to citizenship?
A: It can, but it is not automatic. Naturalisation under the Maltese Citizenship Act generally requires residence in Malta throughout the twelve months immediately before applying, plus at least four of the six years before that, and the decision is at the discretion of the minister. Time spent in Malta as an MPRP permanent resident does not convert into citizenship after a set period.

Q: Does Malta allow dual citizenship?
A: Yes. Malta has permitted dual and multiple citizenship since 2000. Acquiring Maltese citizenship does not by itself require renouncing your existing nationality, though you should confirm your current country of citizenship also permits it.

Q: Which route to Maltese citizenship is cheapest?
A: Citizenship by ancestry, where you qualify: it is a registration route with no investment requirement — costs are limited to government fees, document procurement, and professional assistance. If you have a Malta-born parent, grandparent, or earlier ancestor, check that route before considering any other.

Not Sure Which Route Applies to You?

Describe your situation — background, family history, goals — and our licensed team will tell you which routes are realistic for you, and which are not. That includes telling you if none currently fit.

Sources & Official Information

• Maltese Citizenship Act (Chapter 188 of the Laws of Malta) — legislation.mt
• Komunità Malta (Community Malta Agency) — komunita.gov.mt

Eligibility under every route depends on individual facts and dates, and several routes are discretionary. This page is a general orientation, not legal advice.