Malta Citizenship: Security. Opportunity. Peace of mind.

Malta (EU) citizenship for investors and their families.
Live and work in the European Union.

In an effort to support the country's economy, Malta, located south of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea, is offering Maltese citizenship, i.e. the Malta passport, considered one of the strongest in the world, to foreign investors. Malta citizens can benefit from a wide range of world-class social services, including free education and healthcare. Further, 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 and a second passport a powerful asset and safety net should the living conditions at home become undesirable. Because Malta allows dual citizenship, most applicants retain the citizenship of their home country in addition to receiving a second passport from Malta (EU).

Investment Amounts and Fees

Malta's citizenship by investment program, the "Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations", also referred to as the "Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN)", requires three main types of expenses: government-mandated investments/donations, government application fees, and service provider legal fees.

The applicant makes the required investments after receiving the citizenship approval in principle, and residing in Malta continuously during or after the residency period is not a requirement to receive citizenship. Please contact us to receive a detailed quotation.

The Benefits of Malta (EU) Citizenship

Many affluent citizens around the world consider the passport of an EU member country a powerful tool for international tax planning and to provide their families with a better quality of life.

Applicants realize that the Maltese citizenship can provide several benefits, including:

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.

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. Applicants are advised to secure the services of an independent tax specialist

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.

Application Steps

The citizenship application process entails the following stages. Please request our free Malta Citizenship Application Process and Timeline brochure for additional details.



Please contact us with your questions and to receive our Malta Citizenship brochure which explains the application process and investment timeline from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are questions frequently asked about the Maltese citizenship by investment program. If you don't find your answers here, please contact us at your convenience.

Q: Are your attorneys licensed by the Malta government?

A: Yes - our immigration attorneys are Licensed Agents by the Community Malta Agency (Aġenzija Komunita' Malta) / Authorized Registered Mandatories. Applicants for the Malta permanent residence program or for citizenship through exceptional services by direct investment are not permitted to file such applications themselves due to the complexities involved in preparing all government-mandated application forms. Applications may only be submitted to the Malta government by an agent licensed by the Community Malta Agency. Feel free to peruse the profiles of our attorneys here.

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Q: What is the minimum investment required to obtain the Malta citizenship?

A: Applicants under the Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation are required to make a one-time financial commitment in support of the economic development of Malta. 

Citizenship is available to qualified investors for a contribution, meaning a non-refundable donation, in the amount of EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option) plus government application charges and legal fees.

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.

Further, 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.

NOTE: The contribution/investment needs to be made only after the government has issued the Citizenship Approval in Principle. In other words, no investments need to be made before the citizenship application is principally approved.

Please use our contact form to receive a detailed cost estimate.

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Q: How will new citizens be taxed?

A: In general, Malta taxation is only based on domicile (your permanent home), and not on residency or citizenship status.

Under Maltese Law, at birth you automatically acquire your domicile status (Domicile of Origin) from your father. If your father later changes his domicile to a new location (Domicile of Choice), yours automatically changes to this new location as well. On attaining the age of 18, you are allowed to acquire a new domicile of choice, but there is no such requirement.

This means if you don’t make Malta your domicile, then only income and capital gains generated from activities inside Malta are fully taxable. Income arising outside of Malta and not sent to Malta is not taxable. In addition, capital gains arising outside of Malta even if brought into Malta are not taxable for non-domiciled residents.

In other words, tax is due only on (a) income generated inside of Malta, (b) capital gains arising inside of Malta, and (c) income generated outside of Malta and remitted to Malta.

Other Tax Considerations:

Because taxation is a serious matter, we recommend conferring with your trusted tax advisor in your home country as well as in Malta.

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Q: Can I include my family with my Malta citizenship application?

A: Yes. The main applicant for Maltese citizenship may include a spouse or long-term partner (gender neutral), children under 18 years of age, financially dependent adult children under the age of 29, and parents and grandparents over the age of 55.
 

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Q: Will my citizenship expire?

A: No. When you acquire Malta citizenship you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.
 

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Q: Do I need to move to Malta or live in Malta for a minimum number of days during the year to qualify for residency or citizenship?

A: Applicants do not need to move to Malta or live in the country for a full year to satisfy the one year (or three year) residency requirement when applying for citizenship. Instead, an applicant can meet the requirement by proving a genuine link with Malta as evidenced by, for example, several visits per year, showing water and electricity bills, having a club membership, engaging in any business activity in Malta, and similar. Our attorneys will assist you to be in full compliance with Maltese regulations.

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Q: Approximately how long does the application process take until I am granted citizenship?

A: The Malta citizenship application process is performed in two main stages: the first stage is Malta residency, the second stage is Malta citizenship. The residency stage takes approximately 15 working days to process, after which residency status is conferred upon the applicant. The main applicant and any dependents are provided with an E-Residence document which is equivalent to a Schengen Visa, granting Malta residency and borderless travel to all Schengen countries.

After you receive residency status your assigned attorney will work with you on preparing your citizenship eligibility application. The application can be filed immediately after you have been in residency status for 12 months (or 36 months, depending on your choice of investment option).

Average citizenship stage processing durations have not been established as of yet. Previous citizenship application processing times have ranged from 3 to 6 months.  

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Q: Can you help me find suitable real estate in Malta?

A: Yes. We are associated with licensed real estate agencies and developers in Malta and can help you find a property that fulfills all requirements.

Our professional relationships in Malta guarantee to our clients a smooth, comprehensive service that includes identifying suitable properties, providing transport for property viewings, drafting/reviewing legal contracts, and/or liaising with local notaries and architects as needed.

When you decide on a property for purchase we can arrange for a Power of Attorney to appear on your behalf without the need for you to come again to Malta for the signature of any necessary contracts.

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Q: How soon can I sell my Malta real estate?

A: The property needs to be held for five years. After this period, property in Malta can be sold completely exempt from tax if it has been held for three years as the resident’s sole and ordinary residence. If the property is sold before having been used as the resident’s sole residence for three years, a final property tax of 12% is chargeable on the selling price.

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Q: Do I need to invest in a Malta company and create jobs to qualify for the program?

A: No. Unlike other programs such as the EB-5 Investor Visa in the United States, Malta has no requirements to invest in a business or create new jobs.

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Q: Will the Malta citizenship automatically grant me European citizenship?

A: Yes. Because Malta is a member of the European Union its citizens are automatically European citizens, which means you are allowed to live, work or study anywhere in Europe.

However, please note that the total number of citizenships (total number of passports) the Maltese government has made available under the new regulation is limited to only 400 per year! If you are ready to file an application please contact us for additional information. 

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Q: What is the difference between the Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation and the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)?

A: The Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation (Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation / MEIN) is a programme that offers qualified applicants, including EU nationals and non-EU nationals, Malta residency and citizenship (the Malta passport) in return for a one-time contribution to the Malta economy as outlined in the section "Investment Amounts and Fees" above.

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), on the other hand, leads to residency, meaning the permission to live in Malta as long as desired, and visa-free travel to all European countries within the Schengen area for 90 out of 180 days. The application process usually takes 4 to 6 months, but it does not lead to the Maltese (EU) citizenship and the Malta passport. Residents may file a citizenship application after 6 years in residency status, but there is no guarantee that an approval will be granted, and approvals typically take 10 to 15 years.

For additional information about Malta's residency programs please visit our Malta Residency page.

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Q: What is Malta's position on crypto-currency and blockchain technology?

A: Malta is fast establishing itself as the premier destination for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The government's regulatory framework will cover traders, asset management, and exchange platforms, thus making Malta the world’s friendliest jurisdiction for the sector. Our associated crypto / blockchain professionals are published experts in this field who can advise you on best practices for crypto-related topics in Malta. Please use our blockchain contact form for additional information. 

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Q: What does "Schengen Area" mean?

A: Malta residency/citizenship allows you to travel without restrictions across the "Schengen Area" of the European Union. The Schengen zone is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passport and immigration controls at their common borders. It functions as a single country for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. Source: Wikipedia

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Q: Will I be able to travel to the United States with the Malta passport?

A: Yes. The Malta passport will allow you to travel to the U.S. under the visa waiver program which allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less. Source: U.S. Government


Please contact us for a detailed cost estimate or confidential consultation in person, or by phone, Zoom, or email. Our attorneys are ready to assist you with attaining your investment objectives and answer any questions you might have about immigrating to Malta.